Hyundai Elantra N Price: MSRP, Trims & Real-World Cost

The Elantra N is Hyundai's performance sedan, a turbocharged compact car built for people who want a fast, engaging driver's car at a price well below the typical sport sedan. It is sold with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, and there is also a more heavily equipped TCR Edition above the standard car.

Pricing for performance cars can be confusing because sources quote different numbers. Some include the destination charge and some do not, and some include the TCR Edition while others stop at the standard car. This page labels each figure so you can tell which is which.

The standard Elantra N with the six-speed manual lists at $35,300 before destination. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic lists at $36,800 before destination. The difference between them is the cost of the automatic, so if you enjoy shifting yourself the manual is also the cheaper way in.

The range at the top of the page, $36,595 – $42,745, comes from Car and Driver. It spans the lowest price to the highest, and it appears to include destination and the upper TCR Edition, which explains why its low end is higher than the manual price in the table. If you are comparing the two, remember that destination is a separate line on the window sticker.

Hyundai offers the TCR Edition as a more track-oriented version of the car. It adds lightweight wheels, a carbon-fiber wing, and other appearance and performance upgrades, and it costs more than the standard N. Ask your dealer for the current price of the TCR on a specific car, because supply is limited and dealers may price it differently.

Every new Elantra N carries a destination charge, and the figure in the table above is before that charge. Add sales tax, title, registration, and the dealer's documentation fee to get an out-the-door price. For a car in demand, check that the dealer is not adding a market adjustment or unrequested accessories, which can add to the total.

Compared with other performance compacts, the N offers a lot of power and equipment for the money. Rivals such as the Honda Civic Si and Type R, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Toyota GR Corolla all sit in a similar price band. The right choice depends on what you want. The N is a sedan, which gives it more rear-seat space than a hatchback, while some competitors offer all-wheel drive or a hatchback body.

A test drive is the best way to decide. Pay attention to how the ride feels on rough pavement, since performance suspensions are firm. If you will use the car for daily commuting, make sure you can live with that.

Performance cars usually cost more to insure than standard compacts, and rates depend on your age, record, and location. Get a quote before you buy. Tires on a car like this wear faster than on a regular sedan, and replacement performance tires cost more. Fuel economy is lower than a standard Elantra's, so budget accordingly. Follow the maintenance schedule closely, and keep records, because they affect resale and warranty claims.

If you plan to take the car on a track, check your insurance policy and the warranty terms. Many policies exclude track use, and some warranty claims can be affected by it.

• Ask several Hyundai dealers for an out-the-door price on the exact configuration you want.
• Choose the transmission first. Many buyers have a strong preference, and inventory of each differs by dealer.
• Check Hyundai's current incentives, though performance models often have fewer.
• Order a car if a dealer allows it, which may save you from paying for options you do not want.
• Compare against a lightly used example if you are flexible on the model year.