After dropping news that the Elantra GT hatch will be discontinued, Hyundai is having a go at lifting our spirits with the introduction of the 2021 Elantra N Line sedan. The sporty compact sets itself apart from the rest of the Elantra lineup with an extra dose of power, snappier design, and a sporty bent. It also continues Hyundai’s slow-drip introduction of its N performance sub-branding in the U.S. and takes takes up a position in the thin sporty compact four-door market being temporarily vacated by the Honda Civic Si.
The N Line’s engine will sound familiar if you remember the old Elantra Sport, which this car effectively replaces. Under its hood, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line features a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine making 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. If you want to row your own gears, this is the Elantra to get: Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The entire Elantra lineup receives a more compelling design for the 2021 model year, and the N Line kicks things up a notch with special badging and bold lower vents for the front bumper. Glossy black accents can be seen on the grille, side mirrors, side skirts, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find fabric sport seats with leather bolsters. There is also a special N steering wheel, N shifter, and alloy pedals. Tech features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital key that allows drivers to open and start the car with their phones. The Elantra N Line is also loaded with safety features including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keep assist, lane following assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, and blind-spot collision avoidance assist with rear cross-traffic assist.
Hyundai is offering individual N performance parts for purchase, but they are only available in Korea for now. So, if you want some N magic in your Hyundai, the N Line models are the only way to get it for now. Along with the Elantra N Line, Hyundai is bringing out an N Line version of the Sonata with a more powerful 2.5-liter engine, and let’s not forget Hyundai also offers the rambunctious Veloster N, which has been updated to receive a standard 275 horsepower. This Elantra, like the Sonata, is less hardcore than a full-blown “N” model—so don’t expect Veloster N levels of snort, but the N Line treatment should nonetheless mark a step up from normal Elantras.
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