2022 Hyundai Elantra N | Front Drive Bliss

The Hyundai Elantra N is finally here and it levels up the N game completely. What’s it like? Let’s go for a drive.
2020 Honda Civic Type R: • HOTTER THAN EVER? 2020...
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#hyundaielantran #elantran #2022hyundaielantran

[@zxmurph1]

Just another note of "Thanks!" for your thorough "driver's" review. Performance Blue 6-spd on the ground yesterday. Everything I hoped for and more. 53 year old long time sport-compact Gti, WRX,ST, RS, owner......nobody is building anything like this anymore. Just "nice" enough to impress a few passengers, or at least need no apologies....just "hardcore" enough to put a huge smile on your face the rest of the time. Diff, steering feel, brake feel, throttle response---- just everything has the right enthusiast's touch and your impressions were absolutely spot-on. Cheers!

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks for watching! Enjoy your N!

[@codysmith9813]

Exactly what my dealer is looking for. They put in a preference to Hyundai for a performance blue 6 speed for me. Congrats!

[@CelerySlayer77]

Own it. Love it! I enjoy driving to work in this thing, and that's never happened.

[@Sto950]

Even though I'm a 100% RWD only guy (wouldn't own anything else) every time I drive an extremely well handling FWD car I get a sense of appreciation for the whole car; meaning that if the chassis engineers were allowed to put this much work into the car then the rest is usually great too. Top notch review as usual Brian, thank you.

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! I’ve raced both, won in both, but won way more in FWD, so I kinda have a thing for good ones. This one is definitely a good one. Can’t wait for more seat time.

[@arthurmroyce]

I went from a RWD turbo to a Veloster N. I was hesitant to even test drive one because I felt the same way that you do. Once the car is moving it does not feel like a FWD car. That is very odd and I credit the e-LSD. Off the line...yep....drives the wrong wheels. Having said that my VN is a blast to drive and I love it.

[@verismrip]

This car seems so well thought out. Appreciate the review Brian! I had considered waiting for this when I was originally looking at the mazda3 turbo, and I feel validated from watching your on track performance that it would’ve absolutely been worth it if i wanted something more than an appliance car haha

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks, they've left very little on the table with this thing. It's quite good. Really enjoy driving it and am looking forward to my next drive.

[@scalefreakgaming]

I appreciate the passengers 'oh sh*t' handle in the centre console. And of course, the tire rub at the start of the pit wall.

[@Jo-bt3xr]

I hate that handle, a deal breaker for me!

[@joec.5009]

not sure why people don't seem to love the design. I absolutely love it. looks mean as hell and looks so damn fun.

[@BrianMakse]

Best in black with the red stripes removed!

[@wannabegolfin24-72]

@@BrianMakse I'm definitely looking at the black because I'm still unsure how I feel about the front end. The black hides that

[@BrianMakse]

@@wannabegolfin24-72 I agree. If you check my instagram, there's a black one there.

[@wannabegolfin24-72]

@@BrianMakse thanks Brian. I checked it out on your insta. Yea that black is super tough. In a vacuum I do like the blue best but that front end may give me nightmares in that light blue. Tough choice.

[@BrianMakse]

@@wannabegolfin24-72 on the road, I want to be way more understated than rocking that Performance Blue!

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

3:26 this shot, while describing the seating position is technically brilliant. I could literally see exactly what you were describing. Strong work, sir. I live in SF, so I know exactly where you are relative to Sonoma Raceway, etc. Thumbs up.

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope you stick around! Have you been up to the circuit? Lovely part of the world.

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

@@BrianMakse I'm in SF, so Sonoma is my local track. Cheers.

[@zxmurph1]

Somebody get this man some more views and a ton more subs. It is a treat to have someone with the amount of performance and racing experience you have, particularly in FWD, share their insights on what makes this car special. Two time Fiesta ST owner finally settling and ordered a replacement for the my 2017 ST based upon your impressions. Thank you! Agonized a bit over 6-spd vs. what is clearly a very highly performing DCT....but settled on the stick Elantra N in Performance Blue at sticker, figuring it may very well be the last new "stick" car I ever own. Yes, Ford's automotive "Business Plan" in action 😒😒🤣🤣

[@BrianMakse]

We hear that every week. I think the channel lives at a dead end in the algorithm and without shares, etc, it ain't going anywhere, which means I'll have to wind it down at some point. The N is excellent with either gearbox and I think you're going to love it. Enjoy!

[@zxmurph1]

@@BrianMakse Trying to share like crazy! I would like to believe there are enough of us that prefer drivers that happen to be youtubers vs. youtubers that happen to have chosen cars over hometheater, lawn and garden, cooking, cosplay or needlepoint.

[@BrianMakse]

@@zxmurph1 Thanks! There are plenty who should probably stick to cosplay. I'm loathed to say it, but most can't drive and some present straight up fake racing credentials!

[@leeraymer166]

Great review Brian, I was waiting for your review of this car. I owned a regular Elantra years ago pre Albert Biermann era and enjoyed how that car drove at the time. This one is taking it to a whole other level. I would love to see the Genesis line get the Biermann N performance treatment of their RWD based sports sedans as well. Unfortunate with the cold wet track conditions that you weren’t able to really let it rip out at Sonoma, hopefully you’ll get another one to give a proper drive when you get back to Toronto.

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks, Lee! This sure is a special thing! The one benefit to a drizzly day is that it was super easy to discern chassis balance, which is exceptional for a front driver! But, you're right, I love fast, old school tracks and I would have loved to have given it the boot. Hope to grab one in SoCal over the winter!

[@axeapple4926]

You can

[@peterhong526]

I recently bought the '22 VN after watching your review of the '21 dct VN. I now want the elantra N. Lol. 😅

[@BrianMakse]

The V will always be the original.

[@duncanmclellan5479]

On the short list for the family's next new car. Black seems to mitigate the... expressive... front end. Looks like the total package of matching high performance with a daily-driver at an affordable price. Can't wait to test drive one soon!

[@teachferrer]

I ordered mine in black precisely because of the expressive front end (as you put it). I so wish mine would arrive in time for summer but I have to wait 8 weeks for delivery. I couldn't find one anywhere in my parts in the northeast and the few I saw available were not manual unfortunately.

[@duncanmclellan5479]

@@teachferrer 6 months in and still no word on when mine will arrive. Worth the wait, but dang. All the best for yours to be delivered soon!

[@VitoC.]

I could tell you really wanted to open it up on the track lol. Those seats look great! Great review.

[@psewgobind]

sucks that Brian wasn't behind the leader...I wanted to see a real battle.

[@BrianMakse]

It's all good and at any track I want to go fast like Ricky Bobby. The leader was my pal Mark Wilkins, one of the factory drivers for the Elantra N program. Our pace was really governed by the slowest car in the pack, but there were a few occasions when we gave the cars a good run.

[@psewgobind]

@@BrianMakse Check out Ratti's Ride N review..that seemed like a real battle. Major advantage when lead has a Kona and you got the Elantra.

[@BrianMakse]

@@psewgobind Please don't be misled, that's pure dramatization. There was no flat out racing or whatever at this event. I'm not willing to deceive or mislead you guys.

[@psewgobind]

@@BrianMakse cool. Good to know

[@SebastianThierjung]

not a fan of the front end, and i would need the manual, but this thing is cool!! thanks for the info!

[@BrianMakse]

This or Type R?

[@SebastianThierjung]

@@BrianMakse you tell me, master!

[@BrianMakse]

@@SebastianThierjung this or Yugo?

[@SebastianThierjung]

@@BrianMakse yugo for sure

[@Letitdiebryan]

wish they kept blue seat belts for all n models

[@realthing66]

This car seems perfect, if it was not for the direct injection only. I am worried about what the valves will look like at 40 K miles. I still am very interested in this car! Thanks for another great review.

[@BrianMakse]

This motor’s been in production for years already, I’m not aware of any issues. Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@realthing66]

@@BrianMakse That is good to know. Light gray seems like the color to get :-)

[@gukelordan852]

Have you driven the 22 KIA K5 GT Brian? How do the K5 and N compare? What would you choose

[@BrianMakse]

Great question and indeed I have. That review is on the channel from last year. K5 is bigger, of course, but doesn't have the polished handling and braking of the Elantra N. K5 GT can be sloppy when putting down max torque, as well. I'd go Elantra N without question.

[@redorefurb1422]

Goodbye Si, Goodbye Type R, Hello N!!!

[@lukewalker1051]

Nice review. Thank you Brian. Only think I don't like about the car...small niggle is the rear spoiler. Looks out of place aka doesn't integrate with the rest of the styling...looks tacked on. A trip to the local autobody shop to fill in the attachment holes would be what I would do personally. I presume there is no spoiler delete for this trim level.

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed, Luke! You're right, no spoiler delete.

[@drew3018]

kudos on Hyundai for putting ''sport'' into compact cars!!

[@BrianMakse]

Way more than sport, this is legit.

[@MukiMuki688]

It's cool Hyundai still caters to fans of small cars, though it's a diminishing market The look divides opinions as much as Netlix Cowboy Bebop. Glad Yoko Kanno came back. Made a guitar cover video for the ending theme, The Real Folk Blues.

[@1209MArky]

Will there be a review of the Kona N?

[@BrianMakse]

Wednesday!

[@mieszkooracz7370]

I like your informative narration, aspecially about wheels. Add offset info and I'll be in haven! (is alignment too much to ask for too? I think it might be :) Nevertheless, one doesn't ask - one doesn't get answers)

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! I go as deep as possible with the information I'm able to gather, but I'd probably ignore alignment unless it's truly unique. The other consideration is that even if there are engineers are on hand, they wouldn't have alignment specs. As for wheel offset, it may or may not be unique because Elantra N gets that new hub/axle design, but I don't know for certain.

[@sunnyvalentino]

Great review. Most reviewers busy talking about the interior, which is not why you buy this car. It's seems incredibly capable and ugly looking at the same time. Brian, how do you think it fares vs the Kona N and Veloster N? It seems that this is on a newer platform and the stiffer body allows for a softer suspension, more steering feel and better body control?

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks, Sunny. No dash stroking here! I can go into tremendous detail. Kona N episode coming soon. Keep in mind that Veloster N has lots of chassis stiffening going on as well, but Elantra N has a ton of refinements that are disclosed and some that haven’t for which I can only speculate. My personal preference is for Elantra N because it works best for me and has the best overall dynamics imho.

[@sunnyvalentino]

@@BrianMakse perfect. Thanks. No dash stroking, sad reflection of the times. Lol

[@Jackson-son]

yup, its better than type r

[@icloudchris]

Pretty sure the front brakes are dual piston calipers not single just like the Veloster N. Rear brakes are single. Nice review!

[@BrianMakse]

I haven’t seen anything to support that, but 1) their tech specs are incomplete and 2) there were no engineers on the Canadian launch. However, I have seen some images from Korea that show Elantra N with massive rotors and four piston calipers.

[@PaulCuenin]

Interested in a Elantra n vs Kona N comparison.

[@BrianMakse]

Kona N episode coming next week, but a direct comparison ain’t happening!

[@1fast10r]

Seemsike every car reviewer was here for this event lol driving the same routes along hwy 37 too.

[@BrianMakse]

Duh

[@currylove2519]

I have enjoyed your videos man! Would you pick this one over Miata?

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks! For a primary car? No. For a third car? Maybe...

[@romererunamerika9437]

Need to go faster Sonoma track is made for speed love the glasses bro

[@BrianMakse]

I think I’m a pretty good driver dunno tho maybe someone can help me.

[@jcr57rt]

Nice video!

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks!

[@scottanthony3426]

Thanks Brian. Any price and availability information yet? (Just curious if they are planning to only build 500 or these or something). Something like this is what the new Acura Integra COULD have been had had they truly been looking to fill a gap in their lineup. It would be more then the Si, a bit less than the R (and mercifully lacking the boy racer overdose of fake vents and massive spoilers), and not really competing with the TLX. That horrible yellow thing they rolled out last week looks like a 2016 Dodge Dart with hideous "Intega" badges on the rocker panels and will apparently come with a measly 1.5L turbo barely making 200 HP. Whiffed.

[@BrianMakse]

Nothing yet. My guess is pricing will be reasonable, think Veloster N relative to Veloster Turbo. This won't be a true limited edition, but will be low volume compared to the regular Elantras. I'm always a fan of the Si, but it's performance envelope is quite limited compared to this N. Integra? Sheesh, I don't even want to talk about that...

[@leekaratee4710]

32k manual and 34k for the DCT 👌🏽 I’m quite excited

[@kalanivalentine]

I have to wait months before mine gets here😢

[@BrianMakse]

Boo!

[@syedgalib2125]

yes it is better than type R also hyndai is better then honda now. there are more hyndais on the road than any other lol.

[@EchoSigma6]

I wish they had this package on a hot hatch…Elantra GT?

[@BrianMakse]

You mean like the Veloster N? ;)

[@EchoSigma6]

@@BrianMakse Good point but something a little more practical.

[@BrianMakse]

Kona N?

[@EchoSigma6]

@@BrianMakse Is there no end to your wisdom? Points well taken.

[@EdLo.]

Shoulda got the man

[@tslah]

What is your opinion on the driving characteristics of this N and Type R? Which one is better?

[@BrianMakse]

They’re fundamentally different. Not sure what you mean by ‘better’.

[@tslah]

@@BrianMakse Is it really fundamentally different? They are both front wheel drive vehicles. Based on that aspect, which one is more fun to drive? Please let me know what makes you think that they are fundamentally different.

[@boygonewhoopdataZZ]

@@tslah Fun is totally preference based but the Hyundai N models are innately fun cars to begin with while the Type R is a more "mature" car that focuses on the engineering excellence aspect of driving. Then again their is more to cars than numbers on a paper, like how the N models are more of a track car than say a Type R which was built for time attacks if that makes sense.

[@barnhib]

I've been waiting to see a review of the car done by a man of, well, typical American girth. I'm a big guy myself, and I have been wondering how I will fit in those seats. Now I have my answer.

[@BrianMakse]

I'll never understand KZbin.

[@kevincrockett5155]

This is one of the first Hyundais I'd open my wallet for. I get why the N cars get a dual clutch but why not the G70 and Stinger?

[@BrianMakse]

They’re completely different platforms. What works in the Ns does not work in the rear drive cars. There’s nothing wrong with the autos in the Kia and Genesis.

[@kevincrockett5155]

@@BrianMakse Yeah, I know one is FWD and one RWD but why no dual clutch for the RWD performance vehicles. From what I've read and watched, the G70 and Stinger don't have a true manual mode. You can override with the paddles but the car will revert back to auto unlike the ZF8 which has a true manual mode that holds the selected gear. Anyway, great review. Looking forward to your take on the Z06 and when are you going to review the GR86/BRZ?

[@BrianMakse]

@@kevincrockett5155 I think they like doing things in house and have no reason to do a rear drive dual clutch. The vast majority of customers are satisfied with the auto and even if they do a performance version of the G70, I think it'll still be auto...but it will hold gears and shift quicker. The 86s haven't worked out yet, hopefully soon! I'm looking forward to Z06, too. Saw it in LA and it looks killer in the flesh.

[@chriso6556]

has us pricing been released?

[@BrianMakse]

No.

[@954brent954]

Definitely more grown up!

[@wardellward]

Sweet

[@BrianMakse]

It is!

[@wardellward]

@@BrianMakse yup

[@SonikDethmonkey]

I was sold on this car until I got to “single piston calipers all around”. Coming from a Fiesta ST that I had to spend thousands on to get the brakes up to my standards, is this really enough for the track? Does anyone have feedback on that?

[@BrianMakse]

Check one of the other Elantra N episodes on this channel where I do some laps around my local track. The brakes are more than capable of track work.

[@SonikDethmonkey]

@@BrianMakse how long are you able to hot lap before fade? Can it go a full 20 minute session at 10/10ths after a pad and fluid swap? I’m sure it would have no issue with a couple laps, then a cool down, but from my experience these smaller calipers just don’t have the heat capacity to handle extended sessions. But I hope I’m wrong of course!

[@BrianMakse]

@@SonikDethmonkey I would run out of fuel before I’d see any meaningful fade. Fade is directly related to the pad and how it’s being used, not a function of the caliper. The stock brakes on the N are excellent.

[@SonikDethmonkey]

@@BrianMakse less mass on the caliper means lower heat capacity, so it definitely can make a difference. I’m guessing in this case the rotors are sufficiently large to offset that. Thanks for the feedback! I do wish they were monoblock calipers but ya can’t get too picky at this price I suppose!

[@지하에서웃는다]

티시알 마력정도로 해서 다시 나와주세요! 그럼 좋은데. 짱인데

[@Tom-pp4iv]

I wish it was a hatchback

[@BrianMakse]

You can get an N with a hatch in many markets.

[@DaveScottADV]

elANNNtra

[@opadilla123]

I wouldn’t compare this car to a type r its a si competitor type r is more of a real track car, these n cars are all tracked at the Nurburgring yet never get the times a type r can do

[@BrianMakse]

Nürburgring lap times are meaningless.

[@kellyaustin7487]

Bruh, keep your hands on the steering wheel.

[@BrianMakse]

Bruh, when you’ve won as many races as I have, then you can lecture me.

[@squids9628]

ElÄntra

[@robertshetsen8691]

After this review I want to eat a sandwich

[@Badmanxl5]

13,000 more than a Civic SI

[@damienfrizzell9394]

It's a level up from the ci

[@raymondamoroso2049]

Where are you getting a 20k civic si?

[@991carreras3]

The civic r is in its own class as the ugliest car on the road nothing compares to that.

[@BrianMakse]

That’s why you have to get it in black…to hide the crass.

[@machineslave3]

Too bad it looks like trash. The i30N is such a well designed hatchback. That’s the N we should have in the states.

[@BrianMakse]

Americans don’t buy hatchbacks.

[@machineslave3]

@@BrianMakse Which is a travesty. Except the Veloster is a hatchback and not a particularly pretty one. I like Hyundai trying to cater to the enthusiast market but they suffer from Mazda’s problem “it’s good, but…”

[@snkcorp.502]

take the fastback

[@damienfrizzell9394]

This sedan is fire

[@Badmanxl5]

13,000 more than a Civic SI

[@davontepowell775]

It’s also a class above a civic si

[@BrianMakse]

Blows the Civic Si out of the water.

[@Badmanxl5]

Checkmate

[@snkcorp.502]

@@davontepowell775 and looks better.

[@BitcoinTo150K]

Been cross shopping these after civic si mark up/add ons they become the same price that's real dealer pricing right now