Elantra N a sporty offshoot of popular Hyundai sedan

HYUNDAI

Hyundai's Elantra N is a sportier version of the popular sedan with a rear wing and more horsepower than its standard model.

As fewer car companies offer sedans these days, Kia and Hyundai are still in the game.

Each is not only offering sedans, but sedans that are sporty or close to flat-out sports cars. Hyundai’s Elantra is one of them. You can get the pedestrian version, the spicy N-line version or the full-blown sports car called the N.

The Elantra N is a small, four-door sedan that seats five people. It differs from other Elantras in that the engine makes 276 horsepower, an adaptive, sport-tuned suspension and electronic limited-slip suspension. There is an option for a manual six-speed transmission or the more efficient eight-speed transmission.

On a track with the automatic transmission the Elantra N has achieved 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. This car is very quick. There is torque steer at launch but manageable. The steering is delightfully quick and has a lot of feedback. You can turn sharply, quickly and effortlessly. The standard summer tires have enough grip to allow you to corner like you are on rails.

The Elantra N is built to excel on a track but if you want to have fun in day-to-day driving that option has been checked as well. It passes with ease and builds power smoothly and aggressively. Whipping in and out of traffic is a breeze and if you need to scrub off some speed, the excellent brakes will bail you out.

The N is far more comfortable than I thought, but its stiff suspension is evident on large bumps. I tried to avoid most and found the ride to be comfortable. The front seats were a bit tight for my taste but that was to be expected. They are overly supportive for aggressive driving. Hyundai may need to spend to a few more dollars soundproofing the N. There is an above average amount of wind and road noise, but you can drown a lot of it out with the Bose stereo.

The Elantra also gets different styling cues from the plain version. Red accents encircle the car’s bottom while the brake calipers are also red. There is also a spoiler on the rear deck.
The N’s interior is also attractive. The seats are the biggest upgrades from the standard Elantra. They are bolstered sports seats that keep the driver and passenger in place while throwing then car about wildly. The seats also power adjustments that help find the most comfortable position. I like the illuminated N at the base of the headrests. The back seat will hold three folks, but two will be the most comfortable. The sloped roof still allows easy entry and exit.

Were there anything I didn’t like about the N? Yes, but nothing major. I’m older, so this felt too low to the ground for my tastes. The doors open wide but the height made it a little difficult to enter or exit. There was also a creaking noise when I turned right, but not on every turn.

That said, I found the Elantra N to be a great driver. The car handles like nobody’s business and it’s really quick. This is a lot of sports car for a reasonable price, but it could use a little refining. It comes standard with a lot of stuff, but you don’t get adaptive cruise control. That’s not a deal-breaker because most who buy this car will want to be in control of all the power.

The N has one trim level, and it’s loaded. Standard equipment includes variable sports exhaust, 19-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, sunroof (if you go auto transmission), keyless entry, navigation system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, and blind-spot warning. The base price is $34,221 before tax and destination.

Pros:

• Gobs of power and torque

• Sharp handling

• Sporty looks

• Comfortable interior 

• Excellent automatic transmission

Cons:

• Wind and road noise

• No adaptive cruise 

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