Speed may not be that important to some drivers, but for many, it can be one of the key specs they look for in a vehicle. The 2023 Hyundai Elantra N sets itself apart from the Elantra with increased speed. It also comes with a massive price hike that may not be worth it. So which Hyundai should you buy if you have to choose?

How fast will the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N go?

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra N is a sharp-looking version of the base Elantra. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo GDI 4-cylinder with 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. The fuel mileage is decent, with an EPA rating of 22 city, 31 hwy, and 25 combined. 

Driver attention alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and blind spot and lane departure warnings come standard. There is also a decent range of in-car entertainment features that many car buyers are looking for.

Hyundai includes a 10.3-inch infotainment screen, a Bose premium brand stereo system and speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a USB connection. 

The speed is what really sets the Hyundai Elantra N apart. According to Car and Driver, they clocked the Elantra N at 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It took 13.4 seconds to go a quarter-mile, and it reached speeds of 106 mph. The top speed on the Elantra N is 180 MPH.

Are there faster vehicles on the road? Yes. Some of them include vehicles like the 2023 BMW M240i, Audi RS 3, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and Jaguar F-TYPE. The problem is you probably aren’t going to find a faster vehicle for $32,900 unless it’s used. 

How does the 2023 Elantra N compare to the Golf GTI and Honda Civic Si?

There is no lack of competition in the sedan segment when it comes to fast cars. Two of the Elantra N’s top competitors are the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Si.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. It can generate up to 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. 

When it comes to speed, the 2023 Golf GTI can’t quite keep up with the Elantra N. It takes 5.1 seconds to reach 60 MPH. It is slightly cheaper, however, with a starting price of $31,625. 

The 2023 Honda Civic Si is another tough competitor that still can’t beat the Elantra N in terms of speed. Even though it has a decent turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, it has the poorest speed times on this list.

It takes 6.6 seconds to hit 60 MPH. This isn’t terrible, but it’s still not in the same league as the Elantra N. The starting price is only $29,895, so it’s also the cheapest of these three vehicles.

Is extra speed worth extra cost?

If you want a vehicle with superior speed, then the Elantra N is the way to go. The main issue is that it’s significantly more expensive than the Elantra.

The base 2023 Hyundai Elantra starts at $22,065. The Elantra N, in comparison, costs $10,835 more. For many car buyers, this price increase simply isn’t worth it, especially given the current economy. 

For drivers who want speed and aren’t willing to negotiate, the Elantra is a major disappointment. It takes twice as long to hit 60 MPH, with a time of 8.4 seconds.

Regardless, the Elantra N is a very nice vehicle. It’s just a hard sell given the massive price increase.