Miata is always the reply. Yeah, that appears like a humorous choice to start a evaluation of the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, nonetheless hear us out. We have now heralded the MX-5 Miata as the ultimate phrase cheap sports activities actions car, superior to all others in its worth stage. There’s just one important draw back: the Miata shouldn’t be always the reply for everyone. It’s small, the cabin is tight, the trunk is abysmal, and good luck taking the children to highschool in it.

A two-seat sports activities actions car shouldn’t be a wise frequently driver for most people, so the place else do fanatics go to get their thrills with out breaking the monetary establishment? It’s possible you’ll get a Volkswagen Golf GTI, nonetheless the ultimate one we examined was virtually $40,000. The Honda Civic Si is sweet, nonetheless we crave a bit further power. Honda will shortly unleash the next-generation Variety R, nonetheless by the purpose sellers add their markups, it is not going to be cheap each.

After spending a full week with the Elantra N, we’re glad that Hyundai, better than another automaker, understands recommendations on the right way to assemble an unbelievable car that doesn’t break the monetary establishment.

Boy-Racer Styling

The current seventh-generation Elantra is by far primarily probably the most aggressively styled one however, matching its N effectivity transformation. Hyundai’s N Division added further aggression with a signature crimson lip working throughout the auto, intricate 19-inch wheels with crimson brake calipers, and an enormous rear spoiler amongst completely different particulars. Capping the design off with some daring colors like Intense Blue (pictured below) and Effectivity Blue (a $400 risk), the Elantra N will entice a great deal of consideration from fanatics who can spot the changes over a typical Elantra.

Race-Impressed Engine

Under the hood, the Elantra N shares the similar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine utilized in several N fashions. It’s a firecracker of an affect unit, delivering 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. Nevertheless for many who get the optionally accessible eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for $1,500, the Elantra will get a crimson N Grin Shift shift button on the steering wheel that briefly delivers a 10-horsepower enhance. Must you’re further inclined to row your private gears, a six-speed information comes regular, with every transmissions sending power to the doorway wheels by an N Nook Carving Differential.

Zero to 60 mph takes spherical 5.1 seconds (with the DCT), and you could be grinning from ear to ear as you pace up. That’s the best-sounding four-cylinder engine on sale by far. The cracks and pops from the exhaust belong on a V8 AMG car, so it’s astonishing how Hyundai’s engineers acquired them to come back again out of a four-pot. Contained within the cabin, the N Sound Equalizer supplies just a little little bit of synthetic sound to the combo, which can mimic a TCR race car or produce a lower frequency. The exhaust is loud adequate by itself though, so you could be at liberty to indicate off the “fake” noise for many who don’t like how its sounds.

N Is The New M

The Hyundai Elantra N is probably going one of the dynamic and associated front-wheel-drive cars we have now ever pushed; it’s correct up there with the vaunted Honda Civic Variety R. Hyundai’s steering tuning is near-perfect, always talking what the doorway wheels are as a lot as. Torque steer is minimized with the clever entrance differential, and the DCT helps put down the flexibility merely with minimal wheel slip. The chassis tuning is equally good, giving ideas to the driving pressure and upsetting insane confidence.

It’s a company car, so we’d warn anyone attempting to utilize is it as a family hauler. That being said, we can’t take into account how successfully Hyundai tuned the adaptive suspension in its softest setting, making the Elantra N livable as a daily driver. In its stiffest setting, the suspension can knock your tooth out, so it is best used on the smoothest of roads.

Fortunately, the N Division (like BMW’s M Division) permits you to tune either side of the auto. It could prevent the steering, engine, suspension, transmission, traction administration, and stability administration settings to definitely one in every of two custom-made N modes, which can be shortly accessible on the steering wheel.

It Solely Costs HOW MUCH???

It’s fantastic what variety of choices Hyundai was able to cram inside the Elantra N, however it is further spectacular when you hear the value. The 2022 Elantra N begins at merely $32,150 (sooner than trip spot) and there are primarily solely two selections to choose: two optionally accessible colors for $400, and the DCT for $1,500. All-in with freight, you’ll solely pay $35,145 for a loaded Elantra N. To position that in perspective, a a lot much less extremely efficient loaded Volkswagen Golf GTI will worth as a minimum $38,720 and we have no idea the best way quite a bit the model new Civic Variety R shall be. As quickly as as soon as extra, South Korea has produced a reduction.

Accessible As A Crossover

To ensure that you a pleasurable sedan that you could be drive every day and sort out the occasional observe day, the Elantra N is a perfect risk. Nevertheless what in case your family members has grown a bit and likewise you desire a crossover? Happily, Hyundai nonetheless has you coated. The Hyundai Kona N presents all the benefits of the Elantra N, nonetheless in a crossover physique. It’s priced equally as a result of the Elantra with the DCT, making completely different crossovers in its worth range seem silly by comparability. Constructive, the Kona N sits a bit taller than its sedan sibling, nonetheless you lose practically nothing inside the driving experience between the two. With these two on the roster, Hyundai’s N Division is on a roll.