2024 Hyundai Elantra N - Review | CarBuzz (2024)

Some brave automakers take a commuter-style sedan and kick it up a notch to create a whole new style of spicy sedan - the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N is such a car, boasting 276 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also comes with a raucous exhaust note and some updates for 2024. The latest set of updates have turned the already mischievous sedan into a genuinely sporty car, with revised styling and all the upgrades it needs to compete with the Honda Civic SI and Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Some may feel these rivals are a little more refined. But if pure fun is what you’re after - at a reasonable price - then the Elantra N definitely deserves a closer look.

New For 2024

As part of its mid-cycle refresh, the new Hyundai Elantra N sedan has revised front and rear bumpers, restyled headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. Inside, the bucket seats are different, and the steering wheel and shifter knob have fresh new looks. The car’s software has been updated, and there are new steering components, a reinforced engine mount, and updated rear suspension bushings. All of this results in improved handling and performance.

2024 Hyundai Elantra N Price: Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N is only slightly higher than last year, at $33,700 MSRP. This is despite the notable updates that add way more value. The destination charge of $1,150 is pretty average for the segment. Still, you are paying for the power you get, since both of the car’s chief rivals are cheaper.

There is only one trim, and there are also no packages to let you comprehensively customize your Elantra N. On the plus side, this means that you will not be spending more than the base asking price. It will cost you $1,500 to switch out the manual transmission for an automatic, but this is not something we recommend. As a car that delivers the best experience when you are fully engaged, we feel that sticking with the manual is the smart move.

Interior and Features

The interior received some attention for the new model year, with a more modern design to the infotainment system and feature controls, which are smartly integrated with the upper dashboard.

Changes for 2024 in the cabin are not as obvious as they are outside. You’ll definitely notice the new bucket seats, but the dashboard is still clean and stylish. The multi-information display and touchscreen are integrated into the hood behind the steering wheel. Below the infotainment, there are some physical controls over the central console, which has a divider on the passenger’s side. Overall, the interior space is not only pleasant to look at, but also quite comfortable to spend your time in. Models equipped with the dual-clutch transmission also get access to a sunroof.

Space

The Elantra N is built on the bones of one of the larger sedans in the brand’s lineup and, as such, it boasts a fair amount of room for passengers across both rows. Those in front get loads of legroom, while back-seat passengers are only slightly less accommodating. The seats are super comfortable, though, with great bolstering - the front seats are N light sport buckets that get illuminated logos. Adults should feel at home no matter where they sit. Of course, the rear middle seat is tight, but that's a standard issue in the segment.

Cargo

The Elantra N is more than competent for the segment when it comes to cargo space, with 14.2 cubic feet of cargo volume in the trunk. Though you won’t be taking the whole family away on a vacation, there is enough room for a pair of large suitcases or a week’s worth of groceries. The rear seats have a brace behind them that takes up a little space, and the bench has to be folded down in one piece rather than a 60/40 split, making it a little trickier to stow larger items.

Smaller items can be stored in either of the front cupholders in the central console, which are located just in front of the armrest cubby. A small tray under the control interface is perfect for a smartphone, while the passenger-side glove compartment can handle some larger items. The front doors have well-sized pockets, while those in the back are notably smaller.

Materials and Colors

A performance model based on the regular Elantra, the N version comes dressed in the finest drapery. The seats are a combination of leather and Alcantara, with the former running along the bolsters and headrests, while the latter coats the back and actual seat cushions. Soft-touch materials also line the dashboard, and the steering wheel is wrapped in leather. The door sills are metal, as are the sport pedals. All this being said, there are some hard plastics on display, especially along the lower dashboard and on the central console. The only interior color available is black with blue stitching.

Features and Infotainment

The Elantra N is a high-end trim, so it comes outfitted with some of the best features available for a mainstream sedan. These include heated front seats, though they are not power-adjustable, but you do get keyless entry, a wireless charger, and a pair of 10.25-inch displays. One is touch-activated and controls the infotainment, which comprises wired Apple CarPlay and Android CarPlay, HD Radio, SiriusXM, in-car Wi-Fi, Bluetooth streaming, and an eight-speaker Bose premium sound system. Three USB-C ports allow for wired charging and smartphone integration.

Performance

Though it not a true sports car or a refined racer, the Elantra N offers compact and affordable performance with an unmistakeable soundtrack and a fun-to-drive attitude.

The engine powering the Hyundai Elantra N is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that develops 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. All of this is sent to the front wheels, and the base model is outfitted with a six-speed manual transmission. This can be traded out for an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic that includes paddle shifters. As engaging as the stick shifter is, it’s a little slower from 0-60 mph with the DCT hitting the mark in just five seconds.

Despite being FWD, the Elantra N is a load of fun, and while the engine can be really loud and obnoxious, the sedan is composed on the road. It hugs corners well and there is great feedback from the steering wheel, ensuring that you always know where the car is going to go. As good as it feels to put your foot down and hear the throttle growl, the brakes are strong and also inspire confidence. We did drive the mechanically identical car last year, and came away impressed.

Fuel Efficiency

Hyundai sedans generally get good gas mileage, but the Elantra N is biased toward performance, and it shows in its mediocre mpg figures. The manual variant is slightly more efficient, managing 21/29/24 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. Swapping out for the DCT sacrifices just one mile per gallon across the board, so you can expect 20/27/23 mpg. With a fuel-capacity of 12.4 gallons, the sedan can cover nearly 300 miles in either configuration.

Safety

With the near-perfect ratings of the regular Elantra to back it up, the N-variant sports car is one of the safer sedans on the road.

The only safety review of the Hyundai Elantra N is from the NHTSA, and it covers just the rollover crash test. However, both the NHTSA and IIHS have a comprehensive review of the regular Elantra, in which it scored top marks in every category - and bagged a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

Standard safety features include a rearview camera, ABS, stability and traction control, and six airbags. Meanwhile, the driver-assistance suite comprises cruise control, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane following assist, front and rear parking sensors, and driver attention assist.

Reliability

The Hyundai Elantra N shares the same reliability rating as its non-N variant, at 81 out of 100, according to consumer surveys performed by J.D. Power. That being said, the 2024 model has already been recalled for loss of drive power from an EGR valve short. Last year, the car war recalled twice for improperly welded airbag covers and the possibility of a fire caused by an overheating oil pump assembly.

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N enjoys the same warranty as the regular model, covering new vehicle concerns for five years/60,000 miles, and the powertrain for ten years/100,000 miles. Scheduled maintenance is included for three years/36,000 miles.

Design

While some high-performing sedans are coy about their naughty nature, the Elantra N is proud to show it off with some really aggressive styling. Part of its mid-life-cycle refresh, the 2024 Hyundai N has a jutting underbite with a broad lower bumper that is almost completely air intakes. A bar runs just above this, separating the lower grille from a much smaller and thinner upper grille. A set of LED headlights sit on either end of this. Following the sharp styling from the ridged hood back toward the rear, you’ll find a raised diffuser on the trunk lid. Just below that is a full-width taillight with teeth at the ends. A thin red strip runs all along the lower edges of the car, and there are large, circular exhaust outlets on either edge of the rear bumper.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N A Good Car?

The regular Elantra is one of our top picks among commuter sedans, so it should come as no surprise that the N variant also impresses us. It has more power than any of its direct competitors, and while it may not be as nimble on its feet, it has just as much character. Shoppers with a love for speed and lively handling would have to look at the top pocket rockets on the market to find something better, such as the Toyota GR Corolla. When it comes to sedans that can be both practical and fun, the Hyundai Elantra N is the one to beat, though it can be a slightly rough ride at times. The new looks are just the icing on the cake at this point, and all you need to seal the deal on this spicy sedan.