2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign, MPG, Pictures

2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign, MPG, Pictures – Those were the words uttered by Hyundai Canada President and CEO Don Romano, confidently throwing down the gauntlet ahead of my hands-on time with the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N. Romano wasn’t laughing or joking when he said it, either; he meant business. And when it comes to compact cars, it’s still big business.

Compact cars like the Elantra N have an incredibly broad mix of buyers. Students and new grads buy them, as well as retirees and empty-nesters. With its approachable base price, Hyundai knows the Elantra N might well be your first interaction with the brand. That puts quite a lot of pressure on this compact car, but after a day behind the wheel, it’s clear that Hyundai has paid close attention to all it’s learned over the years. Finally, this 2026 Elantra N is the complete package.  2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign

2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The interior design is similarly fresh. On hand was the loaded Ultimate trim, with a diverse mix of materials that hides the cheap-feeling stuff from the driver. I’m a fan of the denim-like cloth found on a few surfaces, and fortunately, Hyundai told me that material has no extra cleaning concerns. I’m less impressed by the divider between driver and passenger. It’s jarring and impacts access to some HVAC settings, and perhaps might even encroach upon hip room for larger passengers.

That’s a shame, because space is very generous in the Elantra N. The car is wider, improving the shoulder room in both the front and rear of the vehicle. The seats are lower, too, which improves headroom. The longer overall length and wheelbase also leads to more rear-seat legroom. The rear seats themselves aren’t the most comfortable, but they’ll work well for younger passengers or short road trips. The cargo area is spacious at 402 L, the back seats fold to extend the space wheNeeded.

2026 Hyundai Elantra N Specs

High up on the nice-to-have features list on this top-line Elantra N are a wireless phone charger, Android Audio/Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated steering wheel, plus heated seats in the rear as well as in the front. That said, there are two blank buttons that could easily be used for cooled seats, like some versions of the smaller Accent used to offer, which seem like a sad omission in seriously hot weather.

There’s also a booming sound system in this thing that’s worthy of special note. Put it up to three-quarters volume, and the eight-speaker Infinity stereo with pumps out enough bass to make the mirrors go fuzzy, and drown out even the most enthusiastic of carpool karaoke sessions.  2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign

Engine and Performance

For a mainstream compact sedan, there’s a decent amount of poke from this 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, never feeling under-powered, but never quite shining in this department either. Its 147 hp lands at the low end of this class, but still right in the mix of the ’19 Civic/Mazda3/Corolla party. Its torque output of 132 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm is a more notable 30 to 54 lb-ft below the more powerful Honda Civic and Mazda3, respectively.

2026 Hyundai Elantra N Fuel Economy

Officially rated at an overall average of 7.4 L/100 km, the Elantra N achieved a rather impressive 6.9 L/100 km during my week of over 800 km with it. Yes, that was largely highway clicks, and half a litre per hundred beyond its official highway estimate. But considering the constant A/C use and the roughly 120 km/h average highway speed, that’s very reasonable real-world fuel economy, 2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign

2026 Hyundai Elantra N Safety Features

On the road, the 2.0L motor gets the job done, quickly and easily sprinting to about 80 km/h with enthusiasm. Achieving highway speeds takes a bit more time and is met with a significant amount of noise as the CVT pushes the engine to get the task done. You won’t have any issues cruising at any reasonable flow of traffic on the highway with the Elantra N, but passing tends to introduce this grumpy and unappealing soundtrack. Different drive modes change the way the transmission changes its variable ratios, with a sport setting that adds a harsher feel to the simulated shifts.

More impressive is the ride quality of the Elantra N. Soft and smooth, it surprised me to learn that this version of the Elantra N doesn’t use an independent rear suspension setup, settling instead for a torsion beam in the back. While past Hyundais – and other vehicles with beam-type suspension – have been caught overwhelmed on occasion when dealing with bumps or broken pavement, the 2026 Elantra N feels refined and well sorted. Sure, it sounded a bit clunky, but it rides well.  2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign

2026 Hyundai Elantra N Price and Release Date

All the positive impressions the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N make don’t mean much if it doesn’t bring value, too. The base six-speed manual-equipped model, the Essential, comes in at $17,899, while the automatic transmission is an extra $1,900. The Preferred trim is $21,899, while a $1,500 package adds a sunroof and upgraded stereo. The Ultimate trim is $25,599 but is offered with a $2,700 Tech package. The upcoming Hybrid model will be offered in Preferred and Luxury trims for $24,699 and $26,999, respectively, while the N Line model will come in at $27,599.  2026 Hyundai Elantra N Redesign

It’s a broad spectrum of prices and features, but the fact that you can get a fully loaded model for under $30,000 is hard to argue. The fancy screens and impressive driving assistants feel like great inclusions for that price, and the head-turning styling and improved cabin help seal the deal.