Forget the Ugly Face, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N Has Enough Kick To Make VW's GLI Whimper

Ironically, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N still faces tough competition from in-house contenders, including the Hyundai Kona N and the Veloster N (which share the same powerplant).

The new Elantra N might come with the same 2-liter turbocharged engine from the gutsy Veloster N, but it’s a whole new animal.

Simply put, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N comes with everything good in the hatchback Veloster N but with an arguably fresher styling and more power.

With a starting price of $33,195, the Hyundai Elantra N adds a new layer of desirability if you can get over its front fascia.

It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission with the 8-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission as a $1,500 option. As Matt Farah of TheSmoking Tire notes, you’ll have to buy the automatic variant if you want to get the sunroof.

Under the hood, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N comes with the same turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine in the Veloster N that makes 276 hp (280 PS) but now amped to an impressive 286-hp (290 PS) at 6,000 RPM and 289 lb-ft (392 Nm) of torque at 2,100 RPM.

That alone puts it above VW’s Jetta GLI when it comes to power, thanks to what the automaker calls the N Grin Shift.

The automatic variant weighs 100 pounds more than the manual version at 3,300 pounds.

The automatic variant will do 0 to 60 mph (0-97 kph) in 4.8-seconds, while the manual variant will do the same in 5.3-seconds. Both versions have a top speed of 155 mph (249 kph).

Curious how it performs behind the wheel? Check out Matt Farah and Zack Klapman of TheSmoking Tire's canyon drive review in the video below.