Hyundai’s facelifted Avante, also known as the Elantra or i30 Sedan, made its debut in South Korea almost a year ago. Following its release, the feisty Elantra N, which features the same styling upgrades, was introduced in April 2023. The North American-specific Elantra was then unveiled in August alongside the 2024 Hyundai Sonata. Finally, in November, the 2024 Elantra N made its appearance at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The improved model boasts fine-tuned performance, promising sharper handling, enhanced safety, and improved comfort. These upgrades aim to deliver an emotionally engaging driving experience based on the three pillars of N-vehicle development: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability, and Everyday Sportscar. Notable changes include a redesigned front fascia and grille, new dual-projector LED headlamps, and fresh 19-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires. The rear bumper and diffuser have also been modified.
The switch to new wheels brings an added benefit to the Elantra N. By reducing unsprung mass, the vehicle sheds 33 pounds. The inclusion of new tires will likely play a significant role when the sporty Hyundai sedan competes against rivals in canyon carving reviews or at the local quarter-mile dragstrip. However, one unknown factor remained – pricing. Fortunately, Hyundai has now updated the Elantra N specifications with the dealer price sheet, revealing the cost to customers.
The 2023 Elantra N, without any improvements, starts at $32,900 (excluding destination and other fees). The 2024 model year begins at $33,700 with the six-speed manual transmission. Opting for the N 8-Speed Wet Dual Clutch transmission carries a premium, raising the MSRP to $35,200. Including the $1,150 destination charge, the total comes to $34,850. While the pricing for the new Elantra N is higher than its predecessor, it also exceeds that of several competitors.
For instance, the 2024 Honda Civic Si starts at $29,100 (excluding destination), the Volkswagen Golf GTI at $31,965, and the Subaru WRX at $32,735. All of these options are priced below the Elantra N. Volkswagen even offers the older Jetta GLI for $28,085, making it the most affordable performance compact sedan. The only models that surpass Hyundai’s four-door in terms of price are the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla at $36,500 and the more powerful Honda Civic Type R, which starts at $44,795.
Considering these factors, if you’re in the market for a performance-oriented yet accessible sporty model, which one would you choose and why?
