Peter Nelson
Few cars are aimed quite at driving enthusiasts like the wholesome sport compact. In terms of everyday usability and fun factor, little can touch them, and luckily, there’s still a good variety of them on the new market. Among the best is the Hyundai Elantra N, which, for the 2024 model year, received a styling and chassis refresh. Pricing starts at $33,245 for three pedals and a manual gearbox, or $35,515 for a dual-clutch eight-speed, and either is a massive value for the performance and fun factor that they offer.
Amply sporty styling, plenty spacious
The 2024 Elantra N’s biggest change is in its face. Where previously it had beady eyes surrounded in a sea of black trim—kind of like the vehicular equivalent of a Belgian Malinois—its headlight, grille, and intake are now more geometric. Looks are subjective, but I’m a fan of the headlights, and the functional inlets improve radiator and brake cooling over the previous fascia.
Elsewhere, it’s pretty much the same angular four-door wearing some trapezoidal accents across its body panels and a pronounced rear spoiler. A new set of forged 19-inch wheels is wrapped in 245/35/19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires—these also shave off 8.25 lbs (3.75 kg) of unsprung weight at each corner, which bodes well for acceleration and handling.
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The Elantra N is easy to distinguish via its bodykit and rear wing.
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The Elantra N’s seats hold you in place.
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There’s a grab handle for the passenger.
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the turbocharged four-cylinder engine has character.
Peter Nelson
Inside, the Elantra N is spacious, offering great head- and legroom for tall folks up front and much of the same in the back. The front seats are some of the best on the market, offering excellent firmness and very assuring bolsters to keep you held in place when cornering. The steering wheel’s rim is thick and confidence-inspiring, though I wish I could have telescoped it closer to my torso.
Materials quality is good for its price, with substantial soft-touch surfaces where it matters, and the various switchgear and controls are laid out in a very clean manner—as is its infotainment system, which is lag-free. Conveniently, there’s a grab handle carved into the center console for the front-seat passenger. Finally, the N’s spacious interior translates to good overall visibility from a sporty driving position; you don’t sit up high but rather down in it, as any good sport compact ought to be.