2025 Hyundai Elantra N Review – Performance Blue, Manual
Picked up the 2025 Elantra N in Performance Blue with the 6-speed manual, and I’ve been driving it both daily and with purpose—and this thing is the real deal. It feels like a car that was track-tuned first, refined for the street second, and honestly, it nails that balance better than I expected.
Coming from a Veloster R-Spec, the Elantra N is superior in every single way. One of the biggest standouts for me has been rev-matching—a feature I didn’t know I needed, but now can’t imagine living without. The steering feel in Sport mode is incredibly tight and precise. You can feel a noticeable difference between drive modes, and for daily use, I’ve found Sport mode to be the perfect middle ground.
Turbo response is shockingly quick. Unlike most turbos, there’s barely any lag here. Throttle response is solid, though it could be sharper when the engine’s still cold. Braking, on the other hand, has been my biggest disappointment. For how aggressive the setup looks, it doesn’t quite stop as confidently as I’d expect for this weight class.
I’ve tried all the drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and N Mode. Eco mode feels like a joke on a car like this. It kills the soul of the car and makes everything sluggish. Normal is fine, but Sport is my go-to. It sharpens the driving dynamics without going full N mode, which is a beast in the twisties. Haven’t tracked it yet, but N mode on a winding backroad is pure fun.
The ride quality is firm—borderline too firm. I know it’s built for the track, but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more give in the suspension when in Normal mode. That said, the interior blows people away. It feels premium, even bordering on luxury at times, which is not something you’d expect at this price point.
Haven’t tried launch control yet, and the active sound design is a mystery—honestly wish it had a dedicated toggle so I could tell when it’s working.
Lastly, the Performance Blue paint is perfect. It’s instantly recognizable and feels like it was made for this car. And while the car “only” has 280 horsepower, the real-world power delivery is impressive—chirping tires in 3rd gear never gets old.
If I had to sum it up: this car isn’t for people who just need to get from A to B. It’s for drivers. People who enjoy the feel of a corner, the sound of a downshift, and the smile that comes with a tight apex.
Would I recommend it? 100%. Just know you’ll feel every crack in the road—but you’ll be smiling anyway.
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