The Hyundai Elantra N: America’s Upcoming Automotive Crush
Hyundai’s bestselling sedan is set to maintain its successful formula in its upcoming full redesign.
Priced at $34,350 before destination fees, the Hyundai Elantra N ranks among the most budget-friendly sports sedans in the U.S. Its turbocharged gasoline engine, combined with the rare option of a manual transmission, has made it a favorite among driving enthusiasts—so much so that it has posted record sales month after month this year. The good news: the next-generation Elantra N is on the way. Even better, it’s expected to retain the winning formula that has made it so popular with American buyers.
The focus here is on the Hyundai Elantra N turbocharged gasoline engine, which remains free from electrification. In an interview with Australian automotive outlets, including Drive, Manfred Harrer, head of Hyundai’s Performance Development Tech Unit, confirmed that the next-generation Elantra N—known in Australia as the i30 Sedan N—is already in development. The discussion also touched on the future of the i20 N, a model not sold in the U.S.
“It’s already in development, the next-generation ICE and hybrids, also for N to serve our customers, our fan base.”
– Manfred Harrer, Hyundai Performance Development Tech Unit head
America to Receive a Pure ICE Performance Sedan
According to Harrer, Hyundai could potentially offer a hybrid powertrain for the Elantra N. However, he clarified in the same interview that the hybrid option is primarily a response to strict emissions regulations, especially in Europe. He confirmed that only one of the two models—the i20 N or the Hyundai Elantra N—will feature a hybrid setup, strongly implying that the U.S. will continue to receive a pure internal combustion engine (ICE) sports sedan.
Harrer added, “And also in the U.S., you will receive traditional ICE cars as well. Is it an offer worldwide? I don’t believe so, because, especially in Europe with the regulations, I still think we are not offering ICE cars standalone anymore.” While not a direct confirmation, his remarks suggest that Hyundai is likely planning a hybrid i20 N for Europe, while the U.S. will continue to get the non-hybrid Hyundai Elantra N.
A Larger Turbocharged 2.5-Liter Engine Could Be Coming
What will drive the next-generation Hyundai Elantra N? Harrer didn’t provide specifics in the interview, but a previous discussion with Albert Biermann, a key architect of the Hyundai N brand, indicated that a larger turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is a strong possibility. This suggests that the upcoming Elantra N will be more powerful, although the exact output remains unknown for now.
The Elantra N remains a key model for Hyundai, helping the brand stay grounded in traditional combustion engines despite the introduction of fully electric N models, such as the Ioniq 5 N and the all-new Ioniq 6 N. With the Elantra nameplate still strong in the U.S.—selling 102,404 units through August 2025—Hyundai is expected to continue its current strategy.
The next-generation Elantra is already in development and is expected to debut next year, featuring Hyundai’s latest in-car technology. The Hyundai Elantra N could follow in 2027, so it won’t be long before we see what the Korean automaker has planned. Hopefully, it will continue to offer a manual gearbox option.
