This could be the best sports sedan deal of the year.
Sports sedans aren’t dead yet. There are still a few four-door partners for the dance, and the Hyundai Elantra is a delight that won’t break the bank. Hyundai said that the turbocharged N would cost around $32,000. The $1,025 destination charge is included in the official price. The total buy-it-now price is $32,925.
What are you getting for your cash? It’s quite a bit, but buyers will be focusing on the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder underneath. The same engine is used in the Kona and Veloster . It produces 276 horsepower (206kilowatts) in normal conditions and 286 horsepower (213 kW), for short bursts of power in overboost mode. A six-speed manual transmission is used to channel that power, a rare feature in modern times. It’s only sent to the front wheels.
You can trade the stick or third pedal for an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission for $33,400 (or 34,425 with destination). Hyundai claims this configuration is the fastest, taking the Elantra up to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. All Elantra N models have an upgraded suspension and an electronic limited slip differential. The trick exhaust literally rips and snorts while downshifting and lifting the throttle at high speeds.
There isn’t much competition at this price range for sedans. Although the new Civic Si is less expensive than its predecessor, it has significantly less power under the hood. Although the Civic TypeR offers better performance, you will pay more. Hyundai’s Kona H, which is Hyundai’s latest performance debut, will cost you more. It is a little slower too.
This could be a great machine for a low price, considering the amount of fun we had while piloting both manual and DCT-equipped cars in our ElantraN First Drive. It should be available in dealerships by the end.