2023 Hyundai Elantra N

　　

2023 Hyundai Elantra N Review

byNick YekikianNews Editor

　　Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.

　　, rating written byNick YekikianContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Hyundai Elantra has been a staple in the South Korean automaker's lineup for more than three decades now. It's not always been a desirable pick over other small sedans such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, but the fight has never been closer than in 2023. The latest Elantra, which was redesigned just two years ago, offers an attainable starting price, lots of features for your money, and styling that sticks out from the doldrum of other compacts on the roads.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$181/mo  for Elantra N

　　Elantra N

　　N 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $32,900 MSRPN 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) (Most Popular) - $34,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Hyundai also gives you a lot of choice within the 2023 Elantra lineup. Most Elantras come with a 147-horsepower engine, but there's also the turbocharged 201-hp Elantra N Line and then the top-performing Elantra N with its 276-hp mill. Or, if fuel economy and reduced fuel bills are what you're looking for, the Elantra Hybrid satisfies with up to EPA-estimated 54 mpg in combined driving.

　　Overall, we think the Elantra is a solid choice for anyone looking for a compact sedan in 2023. Learn more about its pros and cons by reading our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Elantra N drive? Simply put, this is one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars on the road today. The steering is accurate and communicative, and that makes the Elantra N feel sharp and nimble. It also absorbs midcorner bumps and imperfections with ease. At our test track, the Elantra N and its standard performance tires achieved 1.02 g on our skidpad, among the best of any front-wheel-drive car we've tested.

　　Those front tires handle the turbocharged 2.0-liter quite well, with only a mild amount of torque steer at full throttle. Our manual transmission test car went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds; Hyundai quotes a significantly lower time for the Elantra N with the optional dual-clutch transmission. There's lots of low and midrange power, and the gearing is short enough that the car always feels zippy even when passing at highway speeds. The six-speed's shifter isn't the snappiest we've tested, but it's accurate enough that we never missed a gear. The clutch pedal is light, and working it in traffic is relatively painless.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Elantra N? The Elantra N features a much sportier suspension setup than the standard car, and the price you pay is a slightly stiff ride quality. The car will sometimes crash over bumps rather than absorb them. That said, the car settled down on the highway and it's a pleasant highway cruiser. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and there's enough bolstering to keep you planted without feeling too snug.

　　The Elantra N is a bit loud, and we're not just talking about the exhaust note. A moderate amount of wind and road noise makes its way into the cabin, and it only increases at highway speeds. It's not headache-inducing, and we never had to shout, but cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI are a bit more refined. One thing the Elantra does have over the GTI is its excellent climate control system. It's easy to use and quick to get the cabin to the temperature you want.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below