Would You Consider An Elantra N If Hyundai Brought It Over Here?

It isn't easy to create a performance brand out of thin air. That's exactly what Hyundai has been doing with its new N brand. We have been on record saying that we would give Hyundai credit as soon as we finally saw a real car from the N brand. Now that the first N car (the i30N) has finally been revealed, we can finally tell Hyundai that we are genuinely impressed. The i30 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with 247 hp. There is also a performance pack, which raises power to 274 hp. Both versions are only available with a six-speed manual transmission.
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MDarringer - 7/27/2017 8:51:15 AM

+2 Boost

It would be a tremendous option with the Fiesta ST dead and buried for the USA and the Focus--and by extension the ST and RS versions--going on hiatus for a year.

countguy - 7/27/2017 9:06:19 AM

+2 Boost

No, it's still a kia/hyundai/genesis.

MDarringer - 7/27/2017 9:16:19 AM

0 Boost

Which means superior reliability.

monster - 7/27/2017 9:34:57 AM

+2 Boost

As compared to?

MDarringer - 7/27/2017 10:02:21 AM

-1 Boost

It would likely be a lot more reliable than a GTI or a Cooper S.

carloslassiter - 7/27/2017 9:22:58 AM

+2 Boost

I honestly wouldn't drive one if you gave it to me for free.

MDarringer - 7/27/2017 10:22:26 AM

0 Boost

You have an aversion to high quality?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/27/2017 9:54:43 AM

+4 Boost

I see tuner kids driving various Hyundai products. Lowered, tinted windows etc. I think this car would sell. Even better if it has some WRC racing cred to fall back on.

MDarringer - 7/27/2017 10:44:36 AM

0 Boost

Indeed. The Genesis coupe is quite often "tuned" by this crowd. I also find it amusing the people who are so bigoted against Koreans that they cannot get over it for the sake of performance.

carloslassiter - 7/27/2017 11:38:39 AM

+2 Boost

You have an aversion to high quality?

No - it's the utter lack of desirability that kills it for me. It looks like a shoe, the name repels most Americans and it has all the style and panache of late model Yugo.

MDarringer - 7/27/2017 12:15:22 PM

-1 Boost

You've clearly never seen a Golf then.

The name does NOT repel most Americans given Hyundai incredible success in this market.

carloslassiter - 7/27/2017 12:59:18 PM

+2 Boost

As a value proposition I can't argue - it's a good quality product that functions well. If I was looking for basic transportation I'd consider it, I guess, but I'm not, so I won't.

For the record, I would not drive a Golf either.

MDarringer - 7/27/2017 3:08:23 PM

0 Boost

No, you'd own a Giulia. Enough said.

carloslassiter - 7/27/2017 5:42:41 PM

+2 Boost

No - I said in a previous article that I wouldn't tolerate a daily driver that isn't reliable, so the Giulia was not for me.

But that doesn't mean I'd buy just any reliable car, it's merely one of many considerations.

mini22 - 8/1/2017 12:58:32 AM

+1 Boost

Hyundai and Kia have come along way since the eighties. First their reliability and quality started to rise. Now it is at or above Honda and Toyota levels. Finally in the past few years their understanding of suspension has become a lot more sophisticated. It is probably very close to VW levels now. The N car may even exceed the Golf in handling. Even if it doesn't it is very very close. Coupled with better reliability and Hyundai/Kia have a winning formula.I would be curious how they handle torque-steer though. This is one area that VW and now Honda have really achieved great success over every other FWD and even some awd cars(RS anyone). So if the final verdict is that its good it is obviously a viable alternative to VW, Honda, Ford etc. As for Alfa Romeo I am well aware they have issues with the Giulia.. I also know if I had the funds to buy one I would not care and take my chances. Having owned 3 Alfa's and now 3 Fiats I simply cannot help myself.