An unexpected challenger: The Hyundai Elantra N

The era of affordable performance cars is mostly behind us. These days, if you want to go fast, you’ll need to be ready to shell out a lot of cash. While that trend might put a damper on your dreams of tearing up the track, Hyundai and its N division are pushing back to keep the passion alive. One result of their efforts is the Elantra N, and judging by its spec sheet, it just might be the performance car bargain of the moment.

If you’re on the hunt for a fast car, the Elantra N’s combination of price, features, and qualities makes a strong case, and we’re here to break it down for you.

Before we dive deeper into the Elantra N, the first thing we need to talk about is its price. At P2,738,000, this sedan isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s still priced well below many of its Japanese and American rivals, which often push past the P3 million mark.

And for that price, you're not just getting some sporty red accents and N badging. The Elantra N comes packed with features and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that pulls hard and sounds the part, too.

So, what makes the Elantra’s powertrain so special? Let’s take a look at the specs in the next section.

A big part of what makes the Elantra N so great is its powertrain, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 276 hp and 392 Nm of torque paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This amount of muscle in a small sedan (weighing in at 1,530 kg) allows it to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds, according to official figures from Hyundai. 

The 19-inch alloys hide 360 mm size disc brakes on all four corners, giving the Elantra N confident stopping power while an electronic limited slip differential and electronically controlled suspension keep the sedan stable during hard cornering and minimize understeer.

Lastly, to add a sprinkle of fun, the Elantra N features a linear variable exhaust sound system, allowing you to crawl quietly around residential areas and roar around the track with a simple switch. Your neighbors will love you, and your car enthusiast blood will be satisfied. Win-win.

Being a fun car also means it should be livable on the daily as well, and luckily, Hyundai did not get tunnel vision on the performance side of things. Slide into the Elantra N, and you’re greeted by a sporty cockpit designed around the driver. You get microsuede-and-leather sport bucket seats with illuminated “N” logos, hugging you just right during tight turns. 

The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, heated, and packed with N-mode buttons so you can switch drive modes without having to let go of the wheel. There’s also a matching N shift knob, alloy sport pedals, and metal door sills for that race-car feel.

Living with the Elantra N doesn’t feel like a compromise. You’ve got dual 10.25-inch screens, one for the digital gauge cluster and one for the center touchscreen infotainment. It’s fully loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, even wireless charging, and a Bose eight-speaker sound system to keep you entertained.

Hyundai doesn’t skimp on safety either. The Elantra N rolls out with a full array of SmartSense safety kit: Forward Collision-Avoidance with pedestrian detection, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance, Rear Cross-Traffic Assist, Lane Keeping & Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Warning, Parking Distance Warning.

Plus, it’s got the usual electronic stability systems, ABS, traction control, and a six-airbag setup for extra protection. Sure, adaptive cruise control isn’t part of the Elantra N’s feature list, but let’s be real, this is a car meant to be driven. Do you really want it doing the driving for you?