2022 Hyundai Elantra N sports sedan plays in shrinking segment

With the recent launch of the Kona N, Hyundai’s N range now houses hatchbacks, a fastback and a crossover SUV. A sedan-sized void sits in it, but Hyundai aims to fill it with the new 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, an edgy sports sedan that will have very little competition nowadays.

A Hyundai N model attracts all our attention to what is under the metal. It gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-0cylinder engine that is shared with the i30 N. The mill churns out 276 hp and these are sent to the front wheels via an old-school six-speed transmission. Most buyers may scratch and plonk in the optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic box.

This DCT may take away the fun of shifting through the cogs, but it sure does make the Elantra N quick. The 0-100 kph run is dealt with in just over 5.5 seconds. To ensure that the front-wheel-drive Elantra N does not understeer, it employs an electronic Limited Slip Differential upfront.

For assisting this firepower, Elantra N also brings in an integrated drive axle, similar to what we see in WRC machines. The brakes and suspension are also improved for better performance. Additional chassis bracing makes the otherwise soft-set sedan stiffer.

N Grin Shift, a new feature on the 2022 Elantra N releases an extra 10 hp for short sprints. For more perceived horsepower, the Hyundai Elantra N can pump in different artificial engine notes into the cabin. But if you despise this fakery, Elantra N’s Variable Exhaust Valve System will make you happy. As many videos of the prototypes have shown, the 2022 Elantra N is no stranger to real pops and crackles.

The design of the Elantra N is no surprise. It takes after the regular Elantra with added bits and bobs, announcing its sporty intentions. It is nowhere as elegant as the previous generations of the Elantra, yet in the angry N version, the sharp cuts and creases somehow work. The body gains a new paint shade, the N-signature Performance Blue. It also gets a chin spoiler, a huge rear wing, and a diffuser at the rear. The interior is business as usual. Heavily bolstered seats, a plethora of N-brandings, and a lap timer in the infotainment system find a place inside the new Elantra N.

It remains to be seen if the Elantra N makes it to the Middle East, given the lukewarm reception to the Veloster N. It’s not that they’re not good cars. But they’re priced like German cars by local dealers.