Hyundai is pretty aggressive in launching their new version of the already popular Elantra, with an "N" at the back of its name which ensures breathtaking performance for a price tag that won't break the bank. It has yet to hit the market, but this is what you need to know about it.

Overview

Like the Kona and Veloster, Hyundai has announced its high-performance sedan, the Elantra N, which is the much sportier version of the already available Elantra N Line. The N Line is a great offering for the sub-$25,000 starting price, including great engine power and all the good performance stuff which are not expected from a Hyundai. The recently unfolded Elantra N packs a more powerful but smaller 2.0-liter turbocharged engine like the other Ns and all the other performance bits like the stiffer suspension, rear eLSD, and bigger brake rotors. The interior gets a few updated touches which include leather seats, full-digital instrumentations with an N performance interface, and a big infotainment screen. Launching around winter 2021, the expected starting price tag is around $30,000, which would be very competitive as there are not many cars that could threaten its existence.

Exterior Design

The Elantra N does look pretty aggressive, like the slightly stripped-down Elantra N Line. The front fascia gets much bigger intake vents with real side vents to cool the brakes which is a great touch. The N badge on the left side of the grille does not intrude much as you look at it instantly but feels awkward. The LED DRLs and headlamps look absolutely amazing and will turn some heads. The indicators, however, are the old-school bulb lights that are not horrible but could have been LEDs too.

The rear has extended brake lights that run through the middle, and the rest of the rear lights are sharp and match the design language put up on the front. The N gets a sports exhaust system designed by Hyundai themselves and has chrome tips with fake diffusers around them. The rear spoiler is an addition to the N that helps with aerodynamics which is really needed for a high-performance sedan. Finally, the beautiful 19-inch wheels will be fitted with Micheline Pilot Sport 4S tires as standard. 21-inch wheels and tires are optional.

2022 Hyundai Elantra N Exterior Dimensions

Powertrain & Performance

Like the Kona and Veloster N, the Elantra N features a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-four engine but has a slightly increased power output. The Engine is now good for 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of maximum torque. This engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and drives through the front wheels only. All these numbers make it more interesting when you use the over-boost feature which Hyundai calls the “N Grin Shift” that basically offers an extra 10 horses over the standard powerful figures for up to 20 seconds. This feature will help you to cover better lap times and also overtake other cars on the highway. Now, do note that the “N Grin Shift” is available only for the DCT option. It is to be noted that the Jetta GLI is its closest competitor and, by the power figures, the 2022 Elantra N is way ahead and should perform better in real-world accelerations.

The handling dynamics are pretty amazing too, thanks to updated components from the N Line. The eLSD which Hyundai calls a N Corner Carving Differential coupled with the tuned suspension can put a smile on your track days or tackling twisties somewhere on the hills. Inspired by rally racing, the chassis has been developed to offer more stability and feedback. The driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and N Custom (1,2) are quite effective as they change the engine responsiveness, suspension dampening, and steering feedback. The brakes on offer are rally spec-ed 13.6-inch front and 12.4-inch rear ventilated rotors coupled with brake assist features that offer optimal braking performance.

2022 Hyundai Elantra N Performance Specs

How Good Is The Interior?

The interior of the 2022 Elantra N is one of the most exciting, as it gets a lot of updates if compared to the N Line. But as this is a sports sedan, you will be invited with two sports seats with red-stitching and N logo at the front and the standard seats at the rear. The cabin experience is very similar to the base Elantra or even the N Line, from the rear seats. The notable changes are in the front row as the new all-digital 10.25-inch driver information display makes its way to the cabin. The display changes its dial style as you change your driving modes, which is a great touch and is mainly seen in German tech-heavy cars. The infotainment screen is that of the same size as the digital instrument cluster is very responsive, and has an N-exclusive interface that can deliver real-time lap timings and other shenanigans. There are loads of customizability, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

The cabin quality is not the best but who would have cared for the performance it offers? The dashboard is made of soft-touch materials and there are plastics sprinkled almost everywhere in the cabin. The seats are faux-leather covered and will offer decent comfort. Do note that the cabin is not meant to give the comfort you would want from a sedan as the suspension is stiffer and going over rough patches will be felt quite often. The front seats come with manual adjustability but multi-level heated functions are available as standard. The roominess is still present like the regular Elantra and there is plenty of head and legroom at the front row. The rear row is spacious too but the sloping roofline cuts the headroom but that is quite normal for any modern-day performance sedan. The boot space is decent at 14.2 cubic feet which is fairly spacious for your everyday luggage.

Key interior features:

-* Leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with N control buttons.

-* Dual-zone automatic climate control.

-* 10.25-inch driver information display.

-* Heated front seats.

-* 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen.

-* Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

-* Navigation services.

-* SiriusXM.

-* 8-speaker Bose premium audio unit.

2022 Hyundai Elantra N Interior Dimensions

How Safe is the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N?

Hyundai has been offering better reliability and safety for the price with a good chassis build. The regular Elantra got rated with 5 stars by the National Highway Traffic Administration, and the 2021 model year of the same has been awarded the “Top Safety Pick” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Elantra N should perform similar or even better with updated safety tech.

A few of the safety features that deserve the mentions are as follows:

-* 4-wheel ABS with traction control.

-* Stability control.

-* Hill-start assist.

-* Brake assist.

-* Tire pressure monitoring.

-* Forward collision avoidance.

-* Blindspot monitoring.

-* Lane-keeping assist.

Will the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N be the ideal performance sedan for the price?

The new Elantra N is a game-changer for the performance it is providing. The higher engine power coupled with all the performance bits like the race-fitted suspension and a rally-based chassis makes it one of the best performance sedans for the price. The 2022 Elantra N will compete directly with the Volkswagen Jetta GLI and by the given specs, the former is way better in terms of performance. Although, the GLI does offer a better cabin experience because of the provided opulence and a few added features.