Hyundai Elantra N 2022 Review

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra is a small sedan that was just redesigned last year. The sleek and modern styling is a standout in the class, and even at its affordable price, it comes with an impressive list of standard features. A rather anemic base engine and an overabundance of hard plastic inside kept it from claiming the distinction as the MatoCar Top Rated small sedan, but it's still a competitive choice among rivals such as the Honda Civic, Kia Forte and Mazda 3.

Happily, if you decide to go with the Elantra, you are not locked into the standard engine. There's the N Line model, which has a 201-horsepower turbocharged engine that's pretty strong for this class of car. Or if fuel economy is a priority, there's the Elantra Hybrid that gets up an estimated 54 mpg in combined driving. Then there's the new Elantra N. We originally thought it would come out for 2021 but its arrival got pushed to this year. Under the hood is a turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out a stout 276 hp. This motor, along with a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, makes the N an absolute blast to drive on curvy back roads.

Want to know more? Read our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full analysis of the Elantra's comfort, technology features and more.

Which Elantra does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Elantra is available in five main trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, Limited and high-performance N. But there's also the Elantra Hybrid, which comes in Blue and Limited trims. Here's what you get on each:

SE Starts things off with:

• 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
• Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
• Cloth upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• Manually adjustable air conditioning
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
• Dual USB ports
• Four-speaker audio system

Standard safety equipment on all Elantras includes:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane is in your blind spot and may apply the brakes to avoid or minimize a collision)
• Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot while reversing and may apply the brakes to avoid or minimize a collision)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Elantra back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
• Safe Exit Warning (warns of an approaching vehicle before passengers exit the parked vehicle)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

SEL Adds more convenience features, such as:

• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Satellite radio
• Six-speaker audio system

Options for the SEL include:

• Convenience package
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Elantra and the car in front)
• Enhanced forward collision mitigation system
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• 10.25-inch fully digital gauge cluster

• Premium package
• Dark chrome front grille
• LED headlights and taillights
• Sunroof
• Eight-speaker Bose premium audio system
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Hyundai Digital Key (can use select smartphones as a key to the vehicle)

Limited This top-of-the-line trim comes loaded with all the SEL's optional features plus:

• Leather-trimmed seats
• 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (non-wireless)
• Enhanced voice recognition system
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

Elantra Hybrid Blue The Blue trim gets similar standard equipment to the SEL, but it is not eligible for the Convenience and Premium packages. But it does have:

• Hybrid powertrain with 1.6-liter engine and 139 hp
• EPA-estimated 54 mpg combined
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Heated front seats
• Heated mirrors
• LED taillights

Elantra Hybrid Limited Combines the hybrid powertrain with the Limited's features. It also has

• 50 mpg combined
• Ventilated front seats
• Driver's seat and mirror memory settings

N Line It's equipped similarly as the standard SEL but is sportier thanks to:

• 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine
• Six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
• 18-inch alloy wheels with available performance tires
• Sport-tuned springs and shock absorbers and a more sophisticated rear suspension design for better handling
• Special exterior styling details
• Combination leather and cloth seats

Elantra N Similarly equipped to the Limited but adds performance and distinctive styling with:

• Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque
• Six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
• 19-inch alloy wheels with high-performance summer tires
• Bigger brakes
• Variable sport exhaust
• Electronically controlled limited-slip differential (helps maximize available traction during hard acceleration)
• The more sophisticated rear suspension design from the N Line, plus adaptive dampers
• Unique exterior fascia
• Elantra N-specific steering wheel
• Sport front seats with additional bolstering