2025 Hyundai Elantra N

Affordable cars that are practical for daily use and genuinely exciting to drive are endangered but not extinct yet. One of our favorite cars that’s carrying the torch of the fun sport compact is the Hyundai Elantra N. Its everyday practicality is on par with the regular Elantra, but for drivers with the budget and the appetite for something with a little more spice, the N model turns up the heat without much of a trade-off. Granted, it’ll cost more at the fuel pump, but the Elantra N is a real performance car with a manual transmission, modern tech, and an outstanding warranty, all for under $40K. What more could the enthusiast on a budget ask for?

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the Hyundai Elantra N.

Because the Hyundai Elantra N received a major refresh for 2024, it has no updates for 2025.

The closest rival to the Hyundai Elantra N is the Honda Civic Si, which makes 200 horsepower, comes exclusively with a manual transmission, and starts at a little over $30K. You could also compare it to the AWD-equipped Subaru WRX, which is priced similarly to the Elantra N. The Toyota GR Corolla is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) hatchback with 300 hp priced a little above the Elantra N.

Before buying an Elantra N, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Hyundai Elantra N resale value is about average for the segment.

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N is powered by a 276-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). An 8-speed DCT automatic is available, which comes with paddle shifters, N Power Shift, and N Grin Shift. You can’t go wrong with either transmission, but we prefer the manual because it’s more affordable, slightly more efficient, and simply more fun.

When we tested the Hyundai Elantra N, it was hard not to compare it to what is arguably its only direct rival, the Honda Civic Si. The Si is an enthusiast icon in its own right, but the Elantra N actually has quite a bit more power and torque. The acceleration is never lacking

We were a little concerned about understeer in such a powerful front-wheel-drive car, but Hyundai thought of that and gave the Elantra N an electronic differential that helps send power to the outside front wheel in a turn. This goes a long way in making the Elantra N fun to drive in more than just a straight line.

Extra bracing between the trunk and back seats and a sport-tuned suspension system specific to the N model further aid the agile handling. It’s a little stiffer than the non-N Elantra but strikes a nice balance of agility and comfort for a sport compact.

Overall, we found the Elantra N to be a very playful car to drive and fun at any speed, which is exactly what we want from a performance-oriented compact sedan like this. Driving around town, on the highway, or even on the occasional track day is a delight in this sporty Hyundai.

Fuel Economy

The Hyundai Elantra N gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined with the standard manual transmission and 23 mpg combined with the automatic. The less-powerful Honda Civic Si edges the Elantra N in this respect, earning 31 mpg combined. For reference, the regular Elantra gets up to 36 mpg, the Elantra N-Line gets 31 mpg, and the Elantra Hybrid gets up to 54 mpg. The Elantra N is the only one in the lineup that requires premium gas.

More Elantra N fuel economy information is available at the EPA’s website.

The Hyundai Elantra N has what Hyundai calls N Light Sport leather bucket seats with microsuede inserts. One cool touch is an illuminated N logo on the seats. Also, we appreciate that they’re heated, which isn’t always the case in sporty seats in affordable cars. The bolstering is just right to be supportive in spirited driving while still being comfortable for the daily commute.

We like the infotainment system in the Elantra N, but one thing that’s a little frustrating is that you have to plug in your phone to use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You get the wireless versions of these smartphone connectivity features in the much more affordable S and SEL trims of the regular Elantra, but not in the most expensive version of Hyundai’s compact. At least Hyundai throws in a wireless charging pad and Bose audio.

The passenger and cargo space of the Hyundai Elantra N are almost exactly the same as the Honda Civic Si, so they’re tied in the practicality department. The Elantra N boasts adult-friendly back seats with 38 inches of legroom and a 14.2 cubic-foot trunk.

Although almost as practical as the regular Elantra, the Elantra N has a rear chassis brace between the trunk and the rear seats. The back seats can still fold down to store long items, but a red bar is in the way.

The Hyundai Elantra N has plenty of distinguishing features that set it apart aesthetically from the standard Elantra. Unique front and rear fascias, 19-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, an aggressive rear wing, and huge brake rotors make this unmistakably a performance car. And yes, it sounds as good as those huge exhaust tips imply. The sportiest Elantra also has a couple of cool paint options exclusive to the N, like Cyber Gray and, our favorite, Performance Blue.

276 hp
That’s a lot of power for a compact sedan like this, but the Elantra N manages it well. It’s a real performance car with exciting acceleration and the right brakes to bring it back to a stop.

Manual transmission
We always love to see a manual transmission come standard on a sporty compact that bills itself as a performance car. We also appreciate that a DCT automatic is available, as well.

Appearance package
Looking for a sleeper? The Elantra N isn’t for you. Its go-fast appearance package, which includes a unique body kit, big rear wing, and 19-inch wheels, lets everyone know that this is the sporty one.

N Corner Carving differential
This electronic limited-slip differential helps distribute power when driving hard into a fast turn to maintain stability and prevent understeer. It almost made us forget it’s front-wheel drive.

N Grin Shift
Okay, it’s a silly name, but hitting the “NGS” button on the Elantra N with the automatic transmission gives you 20 seconds of extra grins with more boost from the turbo for 10 extra horsepower.

Dual 10.25-inch displays
The standard infotainment system in the Elantra N has dual 10.25-inch screens, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system.

The Hyundai Elantra N is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. Output is sent to the front wheels via your choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed DCT automatic. This is significantly more power and torque than the milder Elantra N-Line, which makes 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of twist.

Class-Leading Warranty

The Hyundai Elantra enjoys class-leading warranties. Hyundai’s excellent coverage includes a 5-year/60,000-mile (whichever happens first) basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.

Safety

The Hyundai Elantra has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), its second-highest rating. Although the Elantra N, specifically, hasn’t been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the standard Elantra received its top 5-Star overall safety rating.

These ratings were for the 2024 model, so we expect the unchanged 2025 model to get the same scores. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning.

Even though it’s the most expensive Elantra, the Elantra N is not available with adaptive cruise control or Highway Driving Assist, which are standard on the Elantra Limited and optional on the hybrid.