CHATHAM, Mass. – Hyundai sharpened the appearance of its Elantra N Line sedan with a recent facelift, producing a zippy-looking subcompact sedan which is both fun to drive and good value.
The value story encompasses both purchase price, below $30,000, and operating efficiency, almost 40 miles on each gallon of gas – both characteristics long synonymous with vehicles sold under the Hyundai brand.
And for 2024, the Korean auto maker made enhancements to the Elantra family, including the N Line, adding a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB-C outlets, new wireless charging pad, revised cluster design, exterior paint choices, revised front fender and wheel design, as well as thinner LED daytime running lights.
A powertrain that delivers the goods
The 2024 Elantra N Line features a 1.6-liter turbocharged, gasoline-direct injected GDI), 16-valve, double-overhead camshaft, inline four-cylinder engine. The sum of these parts contribute to the production of 201 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM and 195 pounds-feet of torque.
The power flows to the front wheels through an automatic seven-speed transmission which can also be manually shifted with the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
In addition, three driver-selectable drive modes – Normal, Sport, Smart – are readily available at the push of a dash-positioned button.
Performance by the 2024 Elantra N Line is not hyper-car but at less than eight seconds to reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill, quick enough to merge easily with traffic on a highway and provide driving excitement when desired. The Elantra was fun to drive on the twisting, undulating roads of Cape Cod, and the well-shaped N Line sport seats kept me in place, further enhancing the experience.
Also fun was passing gas stations during my week behind the Elantra’s steering wheel. My time in the Hyundai resulted in 38.8 miles per gallon of efficiency. The federal Environmental Protection Agency rates it at 31 mpg overall (28 urban, 35 highway), so I figure the real-world number in even more extensive driving would be somewhere between the two overall figures. Regardless, a very efficient, peppy gasoline-powered five-passenger sedan.
A sporting platform
The list of pieces included in the fully independent suspension of the 2024 Elantra N Line reads like that of a vehicle designed for serious driving not an everyday economy sedan. The front features MacPherson-type struts, coil springs, hydraulic twin-tube shock absorbers and a 23mm hollow stabilizer bar. The rear elements include an independent multi-link setup with coil springs, hydraulic monotube shocks and a 17mm hollow stabilizer bar.
The power-assisted braking system includes four-wheel anti-lock (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), 12-inch ventilated rotors in the front and 10.3-inch solid ones in the rear.
The friction components operate within 18×7.5J alloy wheels mounted with Hankook Ventus S1 all-season 235/40R18 tires.
The sum of these parts is a vehicle more fun to drive than its humble origins as Hyundai’s basic subcompact sedan might suggest. Handling is sure, the ride controlled and, for a small vehicle, comfortable.
ADAS enhances operational competence
The 2024 Elantra N Line brings a thorough group of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to the subcompact segment. These include forward collision-avoidance assist; blind-spot collision-avoidance assist with rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance warning; lane-keeping assist and parking-distance warning.
Comfortable, well-equipped interior
The interior of the Elantra is modern, filled with new technology and up-scale amenities.
The center of attention for the driver-oriented cockpit is the 10.25-inch LCD touchscreen at the top of the dashboard center. The screen provides controls for the vehicle’s functions as well as the infotainment system. The latter’s features include streaming Bluetooth connectivity; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto; SiriusXM satellite radio, traffic services, Nav/traffic, Nav/weather, as well as AM/FM radio reception. The sound is pumped through an eight-speaker Bose® premium audio system with subwoofer and center channel.
Controlling the interior environment is an automatic dual-zone system supplemented by standard seat heaters (up front). Those seats are sport designed, meaning more aggressive side bolstering and grippy fabric. The driver’s is power adjustable (including the lumbar support). The rear can be folded and are split 60/40.
Leather wraps the steering wheel and shift lever.
A standard power-adjustable tilt/retractable moonroof lets the outside in at the touch of a button.
The value story of the Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai offers four trim levels of its “standard” Elantra line of subcompact sedans plus a high-performance model it separates from the pack. The base SE starts at $21,625 while a move up to the SEL is priced at $23,575.
The two best-equipped models, the Limited ($27,065) tilts towards a bit more luxury, while the N Line, like I sampled, a bit more sporting ($28,465). For those wanting more performance, Hyundai offers the Elantra N with 276 horsepower, more aggressive equipment but still excellent fuel efficiency and a very reasonable price of $33,700.
The sum of these factors means Hyundai offers the subcompact-sedan customer superb, high-value choices to meet their needs, desires and pocketbooks.
