2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line – Are Gasoline Performance Cars Coming To An End?

The Hyundai Elantra is all-new for 2021, but now the performance variant is released, the N Line. The Elantra N Line will be lower, wider, and get all the goodies performance cars typically get, so let’s get into the specifics.

2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line Specs & Performance Upgrades

Starting with the engine, the Elantra N Line will be powered by the familiar 1.6l GDI turbo four-cylinder that Hyundai/Kia is known to use. In this application, the motor will produce 201 HP and 195 LB. FT. of torque. Power will get sent through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT). Thank goodness Hyundai decided to bless us with the six-speed manual because, in my experience, the DCT felt a bit wonky in cars like the Kia Soul, but perhaps the retuned it here. Only time will tell, speaking of time, I wonder how long we can enjoy performance cars like this with a manual?

Before discussing the depressing stuff, let’s continue to talk about the other neat components the Elantra N Line gets. What’s a performance car without larger wheels and brakes? The 2021 Elantra N Line will come with 18” wheels and larger front brakes. The N Line will also get an updated multi-link rear suspension setup instead of a torsion beam rear suspension. Honestly, most of these components are the same as what we heard with the previous Hyundai Elantra Sport and the Kia Forte GT Line. But, I am positive that Hyundai has tuned the N Line to feel completely different from the vehicles I just mentioned with little to no compromises in ride or refinement.

2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line Interior & Features

The typically interior design cues that performance cars get continues. You get some paddles, a leather-wrapped N steering wheel with metal spokes, and N sport seats with leather bolsters. Plenty of safety features come as standard in traditional Hyundai fashion, so if you don’t know how to drive, the car will do a lot of the heavy lifting.

2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line Value & Hybrids

All this is excellent, and I’m genuinely looking forward to this vehicle, I know this will be a car to put on the shortlist because we all know this will undercut the Civic Si and the Golf GTI while being supremely reliable. But for how long can these cars last? Hyundai’s already got a hybrid Elantra in the works using a 1.6l GDI Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and lithium-ion-polymer battery placed under the rear seats. This vehicle will produce 139 HP and 195 LB. FT. of torque. This car will go on sale in Korea during the third quarter of 2020 and will be the first new Elantra hybrid since the 2009 Elantra LPI Hybrid.

Now, you might be asking, what’s wrong with that? Hybrids are the new norm, and every car company has a hybrid variant of its regular cars. This point is valid; however, Hyundai has stated multiple times that by 2025, Hyundai’s goal is to be the top three global EV manufacturer. Hyundai and Kia have acknowledged that EVs are the future, which has led to a massive investment in producing new EVs to the point where Hyundai has created a new brand for its EVs called IONIQ. The IONIQ is no longer one model, but a brand and will be the new future. Even the stock markets reacted to establishing IONIQ as a separate brand, and Hyundai stocks went up.

2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line Conclusion

In the next five years, we could see the death of many great cars. It is inevitable, and we keep talking about daily, but Hyundai has put a time stamp on it, 2025. Please take advantage of vehicles like the 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line before it is too late.

Read more at my Hyundai column here.

Kevin Meyn is an automotive journalist for Torque News concentrating on Hyundai content. Kevin is the founder of Exhaust Sports Auto Youtube channel, where he does professional car reviews on new and used vehicles. Through the use of various resources and extended Automotive expertise, Kevin documents the latest in automotive news revolving around Hyundai. Kevin graduated from NC State University studying Supply Chain Management but has had a passion for cars since he was a child. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Instagram @exhaustsports.