Long ago and far away in another automotive market of a different era, flashy, sporty coupes and sedans were the cars everyone seemed to want to own, even sharing if necessary. There were minivans and pickup trucks around back then too, but the flashy cars got all the attention.
Of course, the world, as it always does, has changed, the EVs, expensive pickup trucks and SUVs dominate the headlines in the automotive world today.
But even though they are bit harder to find, flashy cars haven’t disappeared as evidenced by the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N Line.
Overview
Hyundai expanded its sporty N Line to include the Elantra for the 2022 model year. The N Line, which honors the sporty coupes and sedans that captured so much attention before and after the turn of the century, offers a clean, powerful package quite capable of delighting the fans of cars with powerful engines and racing spirit.
The Elantra N Line has an explosive character that makes it anything but a utility vehicle.
Exterior
The N Line starts with the Elantra’s basic silhouette, which means it starts with a sleek profile. But the car’s exterior appearance has been amplified by a sharply defined rear wing that comes out from the sloping rear window.
In addition, the front of the N Line also has been sharply defined with a special grille and well-defined air intakes and neatly recessed headlamps, which, coupled with the sloping hood, give the front an aggressive appearance.
At the rear, a bright light bar adds character to the overall design and at the corners the 18-inch wheels have been given a unique design with a sharp edge to add to the distinctive flavor of the N Line exterior, which is bolstered by the special badging.
Interior
The interior of the 2022 Elantra N Line features a set of racing-type seats for the driver and passenger, which go a long way towards defining the cabin. The seats are stylish and comfortable as well as offering the extra support traditionally built into racing seats. The racing flair also shows with metal foot plates and pedals, which have become a signature of sporty models.
In addition, the shape of the cockpit’s instrument panel and center stack are focused on the driver with the controls very easy to reach since overall design is compact as well as clean and simple. The interior also looks a touch more luxurious than the final price of the car suggests because the quality and application of the materials used to furnish the cabin, which includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the entertainment system and cruise control.
Powertrain
The new Elantra N Line is equipped with 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine with double overhead cams and a 6-speed manual transmission. A 7-speed automatic transmission also is available. The powertrain of the N Line model I drove produced 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the Elantra N Line a combined rating of 28 mpg, including 25 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway.
Safety and Technology
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N Line is equipped with multiple airbags to protect both the front- and rear-seats from frontal, side-impact, or head on crashes. It is also equipped with blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, automatically adjusting headlights as well as stability and traction control and four-wheel ABS.
It also is equipped with satellite radio, multiple UBS ports and Bluetooth plus an AM/FM Radio controlled from the center stack screen, which also has turn-by-turn navigation as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Driving Impressions
The heart of the 2022 Elantra N Line I drove was the manual transmission. I thought the shift lever was a bit stiff, but I soon got used to it and found it easy to move through all six gears while running errands. There is also a prompt in the instrument cluster, suggesting when to shift. But the 1.6-liter, in-line 4-cylinder engine put out plenty of power and torque.
The Elantra tips the scales at just over 3,000 pounds so it has an excellent power-to-weight ratio. The car is also nicely balanced with excellent steering and solid brakes and has a good road feel thanks to the independent rear-suspension.
2022 Hyundai Elantra N Line Specifications
| Dimension | L: 184.1 inches/W: 71.9 inches/H: 55.9 inches/Wheelbase: 107.1 inches |
| Weight | 3,020 pounds |
| Powertrain | 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; 6-speed manual transmission |
| Fuel Economy | 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined |
| Performance Specs | 360 horsepower and 362 pound-feet of torque |
| Price | As tested: $25,700, including $1,025 destination charge. |
| On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
For anyone looking for a sporty car that is fun to drive and doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, the Hyundai Elantra N Line is well worth a look.
The car was developed and built under the watchful eye of Albert Biermann, a top engineer Hyundai hired away from BMW and the result was a well-balanced vehicle that actually delivers on the promise behind the N Line badge even though it might not be as practical as a compact cross over vehicle with its upright silhouette and interior designed for carry people and stuff.
2022 Hyundai Elantra N Line — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N Line cost?
The new Elantra pricing begins at $21,245 for the base SE trim, then pushes up to $25,700 for the N Line. The top-of-the-line N with a manual comes in at $33,195 before the $1,025 destination charge.
What is the difference between Elantra N and N Line?
Both the Elantra N Line vehicles are carried over from 2021. They include a lot of similar features to the Kona and Tucson N Line, but the Elantra includes a sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, a multi-link independent rear suspension, larger front brake rotors and summer tires.
Does the Elantra N Line require premium gas?
To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Elantra N Line uses regular unleaded gasoline. Premium can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon. The Elantra N Line has 12.4 gallons of fuel capacity, for longer range between fill-ups.
