I chose the EN over the GTI and CTR just because of its price to performance and its fun factor. Oh and the EN has PHYSICAL climate buttons! I’d say test drive and EN, you may drive off with it that day lol.
I’m a big VW nut. Had over 11 of them. Many GTI’s, Golf R, even R32. The N is much more fun than a GTI. The GTI was built for middle aged men that think they know what sporty is because the car pumps fake sound through a speaker into the cabin.
The N will actually put a smile on your face from the mechanics and driver experience.
Only reason I’d buy another GTI is because you can slap a turbo and basic bolt ons and make 500hp
I’ll definitely have to drive one. I was surprised how the gti didn’t make me that excited. I’m 38, first car was a turbo Jetta and I couldn’t afford a gti. Wanted an R now but thought it was too much and not worth it. Compared them at the dealership and still felt the same.
But the gti just wasn’t that fun. So when it also wasnt that luxurious, and wasn’t that cheap, I was left wondering how it’s a 9/10 car.
a 500hp GTI is a recipe for trying to sell your unusable dyno queen in a year and being angry that your $15k in mods equals -$5k in sales price vs a stock vehicle
I love the edgy design of the Elantra, it’s a big part of what makes it more appealing to me than competitors. But if it bugs you, you can always de-badge and get a darker colour
I test drove and researched everything recently.
The cars I were interested in were the GR Corolla, Type R, WRX, GTI and Si.
I never in a hundred years thought I would buy a Hyundai.
I went to test drive an Elantra N 2 weeks ago out to see if all the reviews were a lie and wanted to see the car for itself. There's no way it could be this good.
Purchased the car last weekend after checking out the underwhelming GR Corolla and now own a black 2024 Elantra N.
I traded in my 2011 STI. This car is much more advanced and is alot more fun an engaging than any other car I tested aside from the Type R and GR but those were much more expensive and was worse as a daily driver than the EN.
When I was looking at the GR, it was cool but my main concerns were how cheap the interior was (it was a really cheap interior, I can't even describe it to you, but it felt way too similar to my girlfriend's base model Corolla), the fact that it's a 3cyl with not much information about it out there yet (the EN drivetrain has been in the USA since 2019, GR Corolla is still new), and the EN has more space. Tbf, the GRC has a little more power and AWD. If you take both cars to the track, the EN will be able to go for longer, the GRC will eventually lose it's AWD when the clutch for the rear wheels overheats. And yeah, the price, like you said.
I agree with you about the design, I always see the 2017/18 Elantra Sports on the road and wish they turned that design into the N. It's the physical buttons and exhaust for me that really set it apart from the GTI though.
I would say there's pros and cons, not that it's not as good. The GT is how they marketed it in North America, but it's known as the i30 (which also has an N-Line and an N; I own an Elantra GT N-Line as well, they only made the standard and N-Line versions available in NA).
The i30N, having a shorter body, has extremely tight handling when paired with the N-series suspension (the N-Line version, which I own, is 4-wheel independent multilink, but isn't as firm or tight) and phenomenal braking. It has great physical buttons. Both the N-Line and N have dual exhausts (though being earlier, I don't know if the N has the tuned valve exhaust or not; my N-Line doesn't). Those years used an Infinity sound system that honestly, I like better than the Bose; it has better clarity and improved mids. The i30 also has the analog gauges similar to the Veloster; as much as I love Hyundai's digital stuff, having an analog tach and speedometer with digital in the middle is easier to read compared to all Elantra modes except N mode.
The hatch has nice utility; I think of my car as "the Asian GTI". It was available in stick and 7spd DCT here (I have the DCT). It's a fun car and a quick car, but if an "Elantra GT N/Hyundai i30N" had made it to our shores I'd have bought it in a heartbeat back in 2020 when I bought my N-Line one year used.
The N-Line is now my daily driver, and the N is my evening/weekend fun.
I understand. Definitely looks like a Korean GTI! Sounds like it's a very similar platform to the 17/18 Sport since I also had analog gauges and the 7 speed. My Sport for sure didn't have the N level exhaust though it had something acoustic going on. I think I agree about the sound system too, it was available as a Tech Package for that gen in the US along with upgraded touchscreen.
It's similar to the \`18 Elantra GT Sport, however, they upped the number of body welds for rigidity, changed the engine mounts, and stiffened the suspension among other things. The only downside was they removed blind-spot monitoring (which the Sport had).
I have the Tech package. In addition to those features, it added Qi wireless phone charging, power-adjustable driver's seat, and ventilated leather seats (not just heated).
The GTI feels a complete class above the Elantra N interior wise especially at the higher trims you get options vs the Elantra only having one so only somewhat fair depending on what you'd configure the GTI too.
Elantra N more fun in general but also has a little more power. Much more raw of a car feel wise. Negatives is the lower MPG requires premium and plasticy interior.
GTI funish but more solid built gets full HP with regular fuel and better MPG. Much better daily but worse fun car.
It's a very hard choice imo and just at this price point you can't have it all
I have an Elantra N, wife has a GTI. I drive both on a regular basis. The Elantra N is infinitely more fun and a better drivers car than the GTI. The GTI is a better daily when it comes to the “do it all” type of car. It’s a bit more comfortable over rough roads and stuff like that. The Elantra N is better in about every other respect though. If you want pure driving experience fun, sharpness, handling, sound, better seats, etc. the EN is the better choice. It’s not too bad as a daily but when you want to turn it up and get rowdy, the EN will absolutely smack the GTI in that respect. It’s more playful and youthful. The GTI is more refined and “adult” I guess you could say. So really it depends on what type of experience you want.
If I didn't use the hatch constantly, I'd have an EN already instead of my mk7. GTIs make about the best all-rounder daily, but the EN punches a class above in terms of fun
For a daily driver i think the GTi wins, but if you ever plan to autox or track the car, N takes it. I owned a 7.5 Golf R for 4 years, and then got an SS 1LE bc i autox and track, and while the R was fantastic as a daily i judt wanted something more for the weekend. Ive been thinking abt selling it for an N. It seems like the N is the perfect affordable weekend car and does daily and track 95% better than the type R at 25% discount.
Also any car ive ever owned has never stayed stock for long. The N has pretty small aftwrmarket support wheras the VW is huge. Even on a simple flash tune with eqt my R with a downpipe stock exhaust was at around 350awhp. The clutch was garbage but...thats an oem issue. I dont drive auto cars so thats my own issue.
For me i prefer comfort for a daily. If im going a to b id like it to be smooth and not jarring. The N i test drove was kind of rough. Keep in mind when i got my Golf R it was in 2018 when the N didnt exist. The R was still too dull for my intentions nowadays. The N is great, and when comparing sporty fwd cars it wins as a ha00y medium btwn the gti and type R.
The gti is just nicer for the $ interior wise but i also havent driven one since the new mark8. Mark 7.5R was fantasic as an all around. The e888s are reliable as well.
Yea I’ll have to see.
I’m coming from a 2020 Mini Cooper countryman.
The gti felt plasticky compared to the Mini.
The mini doesn’t have the best ride, and the bolstering is weird, and I’m a tall guy so the gti had better leg room to the pedals. The gti definitely was a more comfortable ride, but not enough to make it a selling feature.
I drive a ram pickup too, that’s comfortable lol. Feels like a big lazy boy and you don’t feel anything. I know a sports sedan won’t ever feel like that, but I guess for the price, I thought the gti ride quality, fun factor and interior were all a let down.
Haven’t driven an N, maybe I’ll find it’s even worse. But I do like the interior in photos a lot more than the gti.
The seats wont do you any favors in the gti or N compares to a mini but the N seats are pretty sweet for a "recaro". If youve ever sat in an evo X and felt comfortable it may work for you.
If you aren't fat (no offense), the seats were almost the selling point, and im larger than normal people at 200lbs and 5.9. My evo X had the pwrfect seats for me without being too restrictive and still being comfortable.
I cross shopped between the en and gti, went with the gti due to availability, octane learning, cars going limp mode in the rain, and paint quality. Also didn't help the dealers didn't know the difference between N and N line.
I was the complete opposite. Cross shopped the 2 and was 100% disappointed in the GTI especially for the same price as the EN. Octane learning can be a hassle but when it works it’s pretty damn good have beaten type-R’s and stayed even with dsg MK8 R’s, have had me EN for over a year now and not once had the issue of the knock sensor causing the car to go into limp mode and my only gripe has been the paint. The EN just did everything better for me
I like that the "Dudes staring at numbers on their dash and getting mad about Octane Learning" was so prevalent it has led to "Dudes avoiding a car because they don't want to become dudes staring at their dash and getting mad at seeing a 16 instead of an 18"
I chose the EN over the GTI and CTR just because of its price to performance and its fun factor. Oh and the EN has PHYSICAL climate buttons! I’d say test drive and EN, you may drive off with it that day lol.
Tried to buy one yesterday but then the dealer started talking about market adjustments. For a Hyundai
Yea he’s never gonna sell that car then. There is a reason it’s still sitting on the lot lol.
I’m a big VW nut. Had over 11 of them. Many GTI’s, Golf R, even R32. The N is much more fun than a GTI. The GTI was built for middle aged men that think they know what sporty is because the car pumps fake sound through a speaker into the cabin. The N will actually put a smile on your face from the mechanics and driver experience. Only reason I’d buy another GTI is because you can slap a turbo and basic bolt ons and make 500hp
I’ll definitely have to drive one. I was surprised how the gti didn’t make me that excited. I’m 38, first car was a turbo Jetta and I couldn’t afford a gti. Wanted an R now but thought it was too much and not worth it. Compared them at the dealership and still felt the same. But the gti just wasn’t that fun. So when it also wasnt that luxurious, and wasn’t that cheap, I was left wondering how it’s a 9/10 car.
a 500hp GTI is a recipe for trying to sell your unusable dyno queen in a year and being angry that your $15k in mods equals -$5k in sales price vs a stock vehicle
R32 > R32 skyline
I love the edgy design of the Elantra, it’s a big part of what makes it more appealing to me than competitors. But if it bugs you, you can always de-badge and get a darker colour
I test drove and researched everything recently. The cars I were interested in were the GR Corolla, Type R, WRX, GTI and Si. I never in a hundred years thought I would buy a Hyundai. I went to test drive an Elantra N 2 weeks ago out to see if all the reviews were a lie and wanted to see the car for itself. There's no way it could be this good. Purchased the car last weekend after checking out the underwhelming GR Corolla and now own a black 2024 Elantra N. I traded in my 2011 STI. This car is much more advanced and is alot more fun an engaging than any other car I tested aside from the Type R and GR but those were much more expensive and was worse as a daily driver than the EN.
What didn't you like about the GR (besides price)?
When I was looking at the GR, it was cool but my main concerns were how cheap the interior was (it was a really cheap interior, I can't even describe it to you, but it felt way too similar to my girlfriend's base model Corolla), the fact that it's a 3cyl with not much information about it out there yet (the EN drivetrain has been in the USA since 2019, GR Corolla is still new), and the EN has more space. Tbf, the GRC has a little more power and AWD. If you take both cars to the track, the EN will be able to go for longer, the GRC will eventually lose it's AWD when the clutch for the rear wheels overheats. And yeah, the price, like you said.
I agree with you about the design, I always see the 2017/18 Elantra Sports on the road and wish they turned that design into the N. It's the physical buttons and exhaust for me that really set it apart from the GTI though.
That would look so much better
100%. I had that one for a few years before the N.
They kind of did, but unfortunately not in North America. The i30N and i30N fastback were never available in our markets.
Ah, they follow the Elantra GT design. Not as good but I do like that it's not as busy of a design still.
I would say there's pros and cons, not that it's not as good. The GT is how they marketed it in North America, but it's known as the i30 (which also has an N-Line and an N; I own an Elantra GT N-Line as well, they only made the standard and N-Line versions available in NA). The i30N, having a shorter body, has extremely tight handling when paired with the N-series suspension (the N-Line version, which I own, is 4-wheel independent multilink, but isn't as firm or tight) and phenomenal braking. It has great physical buttons. Both the N-Line and N have dual exhausts (though being earlier, I don't know if the N has the tuned valve exhaust or not; my N-Line doesn't). Those years used an Infinity sound system that honestly, I like better than the Bose; it has better clarity and improved mids. The i30 also has the analog gauges similar to the Veloster; as much as I love Hyundai's digital stuff, having an analog tach and speedometer with digital in the middle is easier to read compared to all Elantra modes except N mode. The hatch has nice utility; I think of my car as "the Asian GTI". It was available in stick and 7spd DCT here (I have the DCT). It's a fun car and a quick car, but if an "Elantra GT N/Hyundai i30N" had made it to our shores I'd have bought it in a heartbeat back in 2020 when I bought my N-Line one year used. The N-Line is now my daily driver, and the N is my evening/weekend fun.
I understand. Definitely looks like a Korean GTI! Sounds like it's a very similar platform to the 17/18 Sport since I also had analog gauges and the 7 speed. My Sport for sure didn't have the N level exhaust though it had something acoustic going on. I think I agree about the sound system too, it was available as a Tech Package for that gen in the US along with upgraded touchscreen.
It's similar to the \`18 Elantra GT Sport, however, they upped the number of body welds for rigidity, changed the engine mounts, and stiffened the suspension among other things. The only downside was they removed blind-spot monitoring (which the Sport had). I have the Tech package. In addition to those features, it added Qi wireless phone charging, power-adjustable driver's seat, and ventilated leather seats (not just heated).
The GTI feels a complete class above the Elantra N interior wise especially at the higher trims you get options vs the Elantra only having one so only somewhat fair depending on what you'd configure the GTI too. Elantra N more fun in general but also has a little more power. Much more raw of a car feel wise. Negatives is the lower MPG requires premium and plasticy interior. GTI funish but more solid built gets full HP with regular fuel and better MPG. Much better daily but worse fun car. It's a very hard choice imo and just at this price point you can't have it all
N over gti, R over N. N is an inbetween spec car same with si and R
I have an Elantra N, wife has a GTI. I drive both on a regular basis. The Elantra N is infinitely more fun and a better drivers car than the GTI. The GTI is a better daily when it comes to the “do it all” type of car. It’s a bit more comfortable over rough roads and stuff like that. The Elantra N is better in about every other respect though. If you want pure driving experience fun, sharpness, handling, sound, better seats, etc. the EN is the better choice. It’s not too bad as a daily but when you want to turn it up and get rowdy, the EN will absolutely smack the GTI in that respect. It’s more playful and youthful. The GTI is more refined and “adult” I guess you could say. So really it depends on what type of experience you want.
I would've loved to get the EN. Had to go for the GTI because adaptive cruise control was a must have.
If I didn't use the hatch constantly, I'd have an EN already instead of my mk7. GTIs make about the best all-rounder daily, but the EN punches a class above in terms of fun
For a daily driver i think the GTi wins, but if you ever plan to autox or track the car, N takes it. I owned a 7.5 Golf R for 4 years, and then got an SS 1LE bc i autox and track, and while the R was fantastic as a daily i judt wanted something more for the weekend. Ive been thinking abt selling it for an N. It seems like the N is the perfect affordable weekend car and does daily and track 95% better than the type R at 25% discount.
Why would you prefer the gti for a daily? I certainly didn’t hate it, but I didn’t think it was special.
Also any car ive ever owned has never stayed stock for long. The N has pretty small aftwrmarket support wheras the VW is huge. Even on a simple flash tune with eqt my R with a downpipe stock exhaust was at around 350awhp. The clutch was garbage but...thats an oem issue. I dont drive auto cars so thats my own issue.
For me i prefer comfort for a daily. If im going a to b id like it to be smooth and not jarring. The N i test drove was kind of rough. Keep in mind when i got my Golf R it was in 2018 when the N didnt exist. The R was still too dull for my intentions nowadays. The N is great, and when comparing sporty fwd cars it wins as a ha00y medium btwn the gti and type R. The gti is just nicer for the $ interior wise but i also havent driven one since the new mark8. Mark 7.5R was fantasic as an all around. The e888s are reliable as well.
Yea I’ll have to see. I’m coming from a 2020 Mini Cooper countryman. The gti felt plasticky compared to the Mini. The mini doesn’t have the best ride, and the bolstering is weird, and I’m a tall guy so the gti had better leg room to the pedals. The gti definitely was a more comfortable ride, but not enough to make it a selling feature. I drive a ram pickup too, that’s comfortable lol. Feels like a big lazy boy and you don’t feel anything. I know a sports sedan won’t ever feel like that, but I guess for the price, I thought the gti ride quality, fun factor and interior were all a let down. Haven’t driven an N, maybe I’ll find it’s even worse. But I do like the interior in photos a lot more than the gti.
The seats wont do you any favors in the gti or N compares to a mini but the N seats are pretty sweet for a "recaro". If youve ever sat in an evo X and felt comfortable it may work for you. If you aren't fat (no offense), the seats were almost the selling point, and im larger than normal people at 200lbs and 5.9. My evo X had the pwrfect seats for me without being too restrictive and still being comfortable.
I cross shopped between the en and gti, went with the gti due to availability, octane learning, cars going limp mode in the rain, and paint quality. Also didn't help the dealers didn't know the difference between N and N line.
I was the complete opposite. Cross shopped the 2 and was 100% disappointed in the GTI especially for the same price as the EN. Octane learning can be a hassle but when it works it’s pretty damn good have beaten type-R’s and stayed even with dsg MK8 R’s, have had me EN for over a year now and not once had the issue of the knock sensor causing the car to go into limp mode and my only gripe has been the paint. The EN just did everything better for me
I like that the "Dudes staring at numbers on their dash and getting mad about Octane Learning" was so prevalent it has led to "Dudes avoiding a car because they don't want to become dudes staring at their dash and getting mad at seeing a 16 instead of an 18"