5 Thoughts About the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N
Author:
Rob Nestora.
Hyundai refreshed the Elantra N for the 2024 model year after debuting in
2022, and this was my first time behind the wheel of the updated version. Like its Ioniq 5 N stablemate, the Elantra N features a motorsports-inspired interior and sporty N-specific exterior design accouterments to differentiate it from the vanilla trim levels. Under the hood of every Elantra N is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder cranking out 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. The package includes an NGS button, which adds an extra 10 hp for 10 seconds for a bonus dash of excitement.
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N with a manual transmission (MT) starts at $34,850, while the dual-clutch-automatic transmission (DCT) variety begins at $36,350, with $1,150 destination fees included. The only other upcharges are exterior paint (Performance Blue and Atlas White cost an additional $470) and accessories such as wheel locks, rear bumper applique, or roadside assistance kit, the most expensive of which is a $120 cargo tray.
1. The Updated Fascia Is a Welcome Improvement
The pre-refresh Elantra wasn’t necessarily bad-looking, but it was avant-garde. The front end was overdone, from the exaggerated way the lights swept back towards the body to the overly intricate grille. It felt extra and had a design that would age like vintage 2% milk. Hyundai simplified the fascia with clean lines and a classic grille. The Elantra N has been a quality performance sedan for some time, and now it looks like it.
2. The Manual Shifts So Smoothly …
I drive quite a few cars with three pedals, from budget performance whips like the Honda Civic Si to top-shelf drivers’ vehicles like the Porsche 911. I rank the 2024 Elantra N in the top three smoothest shifting gearboxes I’ve ever experienced. Rowing the gears on the mountain roads outside of Laguna Seca was not only gloriously fun but was also uncommonly smooth and positively grin-inducing. This level of stick-shift excellence is typically the purview of German manufacturers, further proving that these N cars aim at another single-lettered performance brand (look out, BMW M).
3. … But the DCT Is the One To Buy
Despite the manual transmission being incredibly high quality, the DCT shifts faster. It’s the transmission most drivers should get. The shifts on the DCT are lightning-quick. The trans minimizes gear-selection mistakes, making it far more precise than its 3-pedal sibling. I tested the transmissions back-to-back on an autocross course, and my times in the DCT were quicker than the manual by a few seconds on every run. Would a more talented driver have a different experience? Doubtful. The DCT puts an insurmountable gap between innate human ability and engineering excellence. When technology like that exists, you should use it.
4. I’d Love It More with All-Wheel Drive
The Elantra N might be nearly perfect, but I have one gripe about the stellar performance sedan: front-wheel drive (FWD). I dislike front-wheel spin, and the handling of FWD performance cars always feels “meh” to me. Sure, the Elantra N employs torque vectoring on its drive wheels to aid in cornering, but AWD would improve drivability across weather conditions. AWD is no longer a bespoke technology employed by select manufacturers. It’s a ubiquitous drive strategy every automaker uses to enhance performance and handling. Hyundai has a solid AWD system, which would make the Elantra N even better.
5. I Need More N in My Life
The refreshed Elantra N and the new Ioniq 5 N are wonderful fun. The N cars are building a reputation as competitive performance vehicles, from their motorsport-inspired interiors to their race track chops. The N line has just these two models, and I wonder why. After driving both N cars, I want more. Another performance-focused Kona N would bring excitement to the subcompact SUV class. An Ioniq 6 N could tear up the Nürburgring with its cyberpunk 911 looks. Hyundai has proven that it can nail performance models. Now, it’s time to give enthusiasts more.
The Wrap
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N is a fantastic sports sedan with a price even an underpaid auto writer can afford. Would I buy one? In a heartbeat. Will I buy one? If Hyundai keeps pumping out N vehicles like the Elantra, the probability of putting an N badge in my carport increases daily.
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