The Hyundai Elantra N is a true performance sedan that offers serious thrills at a bargain price. Priced at around AED 1.55 lakh in Dubai (around ₹35 lakh in India), it offers excellent value considering its performance. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 280 hp and 392 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic (a 6-speed manual is also available abroad). Hyundai also includes an “N Green Shift” boost mode, which temporarily increases power for a more intense drive.
From the outside, the Elantra N looks aggressive with its sporty body kit, gloss-black spoiler, diffuser, dual exhaust and special N badging. The front features a bold grille, LED DRLs and performance-oriented air intakes. It gets Michelin Pilot Sport tires and 19-inch wheels, with large 360 mm front discs and red N brake calipers for strong stopping power.
Inside, the cabin is driver-focused. The sporty bucket seats come with the N logo, blue stitching and electric adjustment. The dashboard is dominated by twin 10.25-inch screens, one for the infotainment system and the other for the fully digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system includes drive modes, performance gauges, a G-force meter, customizable suspension, steering, transmission, LSD and exhaust settings. Launch control, a lap timer and a performance display also get the Elantra N to feel like a track-ready machine. Features like ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a Bose sound system, a sunroof and wireless charging add to comfort, although rear passengers get limited amenities.
On the road, the Elantra N feels all the right amount of quick, precise and loud. The exhaust pops and crackles along, while the steering is heavy with excellent feedback. Acceleration is officially rated at 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, although real-world launches often suffer from wheel spin due to the front-wheel-drive layout, making the time closer to 7 seconds. Still, it remains quick and engaging, with the adaptive dampers balancing comfort and stiffness well for daily driving. The brakes are strong, grip is high, and body roll is well controlled, although a little understeer is noted when pushing hard. Fuel economy averages 10-12 km/l in normal driving but can drop to 4-5 km/l when driven aggressively.
Overall, the Hyundai Elantra N is a great performance sedan that blends practicality, comfort and serious driving fun. It rivals cars like the Skoda Octavia RS, which offers similar thrills with Korean reliability and a lower price. If Hyundai brings this model to India, it will be one of the most exciting enthusiast-friendly sedans available.
Pros
- Delivers excellent performance for the price.
- Sharp, aggressive design.
- Packed with performance features (Launch Control, N Mode, eLSD).
- Comfortable enough for everyday driving.
- Exhaust note with crackles and pops.
Cons
- Struggles with launch and wheel spin (FWD limit).
- Rear seat practicality is poor.
- No wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
- Brakes could have been sharper.
- Unlikely to launch in India due to price and taxation.
