2022 Hyundai Elantra N - Review by Mark Fulmer

From Nürburgring to the Street

Mark Fulmer
Executive Producer, Editor
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Hyundai gets fast and furious with the N brand of Elantra incorporating dozens of performance enhancing mods to its "everyday sports car" raising the hopes and hormone levels of speed, handling, and sound enthusiasts everywhere.

Yes, sound. Its N Sound Equalizer (NSE) is a digital engine sound that can reproduce the sounds of a TR race car. But that not all, boys, you set its equalizer to modify the sound to suit your mood (and it automatically lowers while you are idling.) Cute idea, but I can already hear local law makers making ordinances.

ELANTRA N is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected flat-power engine with an eight-speed wet, dual-clutch transmission. That outputs of 276 horsepower 289 lb.-ft. of torque transferred to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox. On city streets, I found myself shifting 1-3-5 a lot. For the best analysis of the performance tech I refer you to David Colman's review on this site. As a veteran pro racer, David can tell you what to expect if you are going to do track time. ADVISE: Having put in some laps on the biggest three Northern California tracks, I can with confidence say that it will pay off greatly to take a pro class to find out what both you and your N can and can not do.

Braking has been enhanced with high-friction pads, combined with improved cooling through modified dust covers. Pre-fill braking logic provides hydraulic pressure in advance when using sudden braking.

Michelin Pilot Sport 19-inch tires are standard and that extra width gives confident, reliable grip.

Inside, the drivers seat has been lowered which in turn lowers the center of gravity.
Head room 39.9
Leg room 42.3
Shoulder room 56.5
Hip room 53.4

The rear seats are comfortable and roomy with best in class leg room, made possible by relatively thin front seat backs.
Head room 37.3
Leg room 38.0
Shoulder room 55.6
Hip room 50.5

The angular spoiler is either a stylish identifying touch or it holds an aerodynamic secret. Or both, or neither. Either way it's cool.

Beneath that spoiler is a sizable cargo area of 14.8 cubic feet.

- Forward

Safety systems include
- Safe Exit Warning
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Alert
- Driver Attention Warning
- Lane Following Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- High Beam Assist

This is quite simply a great car for those who have, or are willing to learn, good track skills. Part of its greatness is the quantity and quality of the performance hardware and software included for 33K. Whew!