2025 Hyundai Elantra N: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice

Returning nearly unchanged, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N represents one of the best bang-for-your-buck performance sedans out there. It’s fast, corners on rails, it’s affordable, and can be used as a daily driver as well. This is one of those cars that makes you laugh, even if it’s a trip to the corner store – it will be fun.

2025 Hyundai Elantra N

Hyundai

Despite my enthusiasm for the Elantra N, one must admit that sacrifices had to be made for this sedan to exist. This is one of those vehicles that will appeal to a specific type of person, but if sampled, could lure in many more. It’s a rolling example of “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

2025 Hyundai Elantra N Engine

Hyundai

Reason to love it #1: Powertrains of awesomeness

Equipped with a turbocharged 276-horsepower, 2.0-liter I4 that makes 289 lb-ft of torque, only a handful of vehicles in this class can match the Elantra N’s output. That power goes to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch “automatic” with paddle shifters. A limited-slip differential (LSD) prevents burning through a single front tire in five minutes.

Weighing between ~3,200 lbs with the manual and ~3,300 lbs equipped with the dual-clutch, both powertrain setups are anchored to a stout platform. The slight difference in weight doesn’t seem to negatively affect either vehicle’s performance.

2025 Hyundai Elantra N

Hyundai

Reason to love it #2: BMW levels of handling, for a lot less

While you can get sub-five-second 0 to 60 mph times driving the DCT, and just over five seconds driving the manual, the Elantra N is truly about handling. A MacPherson Strut with coil springs up front and a multi-link rear suspension is combined with an Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) system.

All of that is aided by large 14.2-inch ventilated front brake rotors and 12.4-inch ventilated rear brake rotors. Thus, moving in any direction, or stopping rapidly (and often) feels solid, and confidence-inspiring. Few performance sedans in this size category could keep up.

2025 Hyundai Elantra N Interior

Hyundai

Reason to love it #3: Daily driver? You bet!

Despite the sport-tuned suspension and beefy powertrain, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N can be a fairly docile daily driver too. Much of that has to do with the outstanding compromise in chassis tuning and a good understanding of passenger comfort/isolation.

The sporty seats are still comfy enough to sit in on various journeys without feeling cramped. This is coming from a large, ape-like human (me), and I usually dislike confining sports seats. Back seat comfort is quite good, with much more useable space than many competitors.

2025 Hyundai Elantra N Rear

Hyundai

Reason to love it #4: Affordable AND economical

The base price of a 2025 Hyundai Elantra N is $33,950 – before tax, license and fees. Realistically, you can get a manual-transmission Elantra N for $35,000-$36,000. That’s still a bargain considering the amount of standard equipment you get. If you want the eight-speed DCT, it will cost you $1,500 more.

If you manage not to drive the Elantra N every day like you stole it, (like I did) you can manage decent MPG too. The EPA estimates the manual at 22 MPG city, 31 highway, and 25 combined. Get the DCT and the estimate changes to 20 MPG city, 30 highway, and 23 combined.

Hyundai Elantra N

Hyundai

Reason to think twice #1: Inconspicuous, it is not

If you’re looking for a stealthy way to have gobs of fun, you may want to look elsewhere. The Hyundai Elantra N, available in six colors, isn’t meant to not be seen. Even in darker colors, the raspy exhaust note, mixed with the multicolor “N” treatment means you will be noticed.

2025 Hyundai Elantra N

Hyundai

Reason to think twice:# 2: It prefers flat, smooth surfaces

Competitors like the Subaru WRX and the Toyota GR Corolla are multitalented and thrive on tarmac, gravel, and even snow. The Hyundai Elantra N is happy as a clam on the track, highway, or streets. Slippery surfaces and off-pavement racing may be too much for a car that is as low-slung, and front-wheel drive as this Elantra.

Bottom line: there’s very little to fault with the Elantra N, provided you understand what it’s meant for. If you weren’t paying attention – it was meant for fun.