Hyundai surprised the world with the Veloster N a couple of years ago. Not only was the hot hatch a hot rod version of the Veloster R-Spec, it was specifically developed by Albert Biermann, the former big boss behind BMW’s M division. As we experienced on the Nürburgring and the Autobahn, the Veloster N is a different type of machine, combining 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, a limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension, and larger brakes. The Korean brand is now applying that same formula to a four-door sedan: the Hyundai Elantra N, arriving in the U.S. next year.
The Elantra N should not be confused with the N Line. The N serves as the pinnacle of performance in Hyundai’s world, while the N Line is tamer but still sportier than the regular car. Think of the Elantra N Line as the Civic Si and the N as the Type R. But in this case, the Elantra N arrives with a trunk, placing it in a niche segment that’s no longer as populous as it once was. We had the chance to drive a Hyundai Elantra N prototype through the Malibu canyons, and regardless of how many competitors it has, the N lives up to the badge on the trunk.
How Does The Hyundai Elantra N Drive?
You might be wondering why we didn’t mention the Volkswagen Jetta GLI earlier. The GLI “only” develops 228 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Elantra N, on the other hand, uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo mill that produces 276 hp and 289 lb-ft, making it way more powerful than the GLI and torquier than the Veloster N. With those numbers, the Elantra N exists in a class of its own.
Like the Veloster N, the Elantra N is much different from its non-N counterpart. Key differences (besides the engine) are the multi-link rear suspension, 19-inch wheels, bigger brakes, and the choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai hasn’t released all details on the N, but we know the Elantra N will receive the “N Grin Shift” found in the Veloster with the dual-clutch transmission, which enables an overboost function that increases the torque for about 20 seconds.
We drove a Hyundai Elantra N prototype with a six-speed manual transmission, and it quickly put a smile on our faces as we sprinted through the Malibu canyons. The 2.0-liter turbo is a heck of a machine, putting down power without hesitation. We spent the majority of our drive with Sport mode on, which means we could hear the burbles and pops of the large-bore exhaust outlets in the cabin. The prototype felt quick and snappy, behaving like an enthusiast car should. The manual transmission is easy to shift, but a stiffer clutch pedal would provide more feedback.
The suspension does a great job keeping body roll to a minimum, and true to the N brand’s mission, it has been tuned to deliver a sportier sensation. The bumps on the canyon roads and streets of Beverly Hills and Brentwood were noticeably felt, but switching to normal mode helps ease those body movements thanks to the electronically controlled suspension. But when you’re ready to hit the canyons, Sport mode makes sure you feel the ruts on the pavement, firming up the ride for a more connected experience.
As you’d expect of a good sport sedan, braking is strong. Hyundai equipped the Elantra N with 13.6-inch rotors on the front and 12.4-inch on the rear, providing a grabby feeling and good stopping power.
What Else Is Different Between the Elantra and Elantra N?
It was hard to see any exterior differences with our camo’d prototype, but we could tell the front will be different from the regular car. The Elantra N will have a unique grille with larger openings and a different pattern from the regular Elantra. The side air vents should be functional, and the front splitter will help with the aerodynamics of the N. On the side, the N will probably adopt the same red details we’ve seen on the Veloster N that run along the bottom of the doors. On the back, a wing will help with downforce, while a rear splitter will make the N look meaner. The dual exhaust pipes round up the exterior changes.
Inside, the Elantra N gets the same steering wheel we’ve seen in its hatchback sibling, with light blue buttons to select the drive mode, as well as a red rev button and N badges. The stick-shift also gets the N badge and the bolstered seats are N-specific. Besides that, all Elantra Ns will arrive with the 10.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Although our model came with a manual parking brake, those with the dual-clutch get an electronic parking brake switch (plus a sunroof).
How Much Does The Elantra N Cost?
Hyundai was tight-lipped when it came to pricing, but given that the regular Elantra and Elantra N Line max out at $26,445 and $26,195, respectively, there’s good reason to think the Elantra N will start north of $30,000—likely right around $32,000. That will also put the N a few thousand bucks under the more powerful Civic Type R and just above the Jetta GLI.
We’ll have more details on the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N once it arrives as a production car next year. But from what we’ve experienced, we are excited to have it on our shores.
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