Hyundai’s Elantra N Is the Best Affordable Sport Sedan According to Car and Driver

The Hyundai Elantra N is affordable, sleek, and fun to drive. What else could you want in a sport sedan?
Written by Aleena Juarez
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
Hyundai
Elantra N, Honda Civic Si, and Volkswagen Jetta GLI all have something in common. All three are compact sport sedans that are variants of standard, modest cars. Each of these sport sedans features impressive performance, but which is the best?
Car and Driver
tested all three of these unique compact sports sedans to determine which was the best. They took the three turbocharged sedans on test drives and ranked them. Here are the highlights for each vehicle. 

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI came in third

In Car and Driver's test of the three sport sedans, the Jetta GLI came in last place, but that does not mean that it is a bad car. In many ways, it is the most luxurious of the group. 
Leather upholstery and heated seats give the Volkswagen Jetta GLI a sense of elegance, and an upgraded sound system is also noteworthy.
Acceleration is another perk of the Jetta GLI. The 228-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine gives the sport sedan quick speed.
However, even though the speed is quick, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has one major downside that takes away from its appeal as a sport sedan. Getting the best grip for the GLI required having the right tires, and having other tires led to worse performance. 
This made the Jetta GLI's handling not feel like that of a sports car, which kind of defeats the purpose of the car.
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The Honda Civic Si takes the middle spot

The
Honda Civic Si
is arguably the best Civic out there right now. Starting at $28,315, the Civic Si combines the practicality and value of a Civic with the style and performance of a sport sedan.
Handling is where the Civic Si shines, and Car and Driver notes that the Si easily takes corners. It has a grip to it that feels like a sports car, which was something that could not be said for the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. The manual shift is also spotlighted for being fun and increasing the sporty feel of the car.
As fun as the Civic Si is to drive, though, it does have one downside that could be a deal-breaker. Compared to the other cars on this list, the Honda Civic Si has the weakest engine, and it can only get from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. 
This doesn't take away from how fun the Si is to drive, but it does serve as a reminder that this is a modest Civic at heart.
MORE:

Why is the Hyundai Elantra N the top sport sedan?

Before getting into the power of the Hyundai Elantra N that gave it the top spot, the slick style of the Elantra N deserves attention. It brings out the best of the practicality of a four-door sedan, but its body looks undeniably sporty. Its seats also support this image of a car meant for performance.
With its turbocharged 276-hp engine, the Hyundai Elantra N can get from 0 to 60 in just 5.1 seconds, much quicker than the Honda Civic Si. While driving the Elantra N, the grip and handling feel superb, and this is made even more comfortable with the racing-style seats.
Adjustable settings also make the Hyundai Elantra N stand out. Drivers can adjust the suspension, steering, and even engine volume settings to make the Elantra N how they would like it to be. This might not be a necessary feature, but it shows how the Elantra N goes above and beyond.
MORE: How a Hyundai 2 Door Coupe Saved the Car Brand's Reputation in the U.S.

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