Hyundai N Line Offers Performance With Comfort in Mind

This trim level is less hardcore than the track-ready performance N lineup but peppier than other models.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Aug 20, 2024 | 3 min read

Hyundai

It's no longer unusual for automakers to offer multiple performance-oriented sub-brands, trim levels, or packages across nearly their entire lineups. While some of these are focused on enhancing speed and handling over everything else, others prioritize flashy looks over outright adrenaline. Hyundai's N Line falls into the latter camp.

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The Origin of Hyundai N Line

Hyundai N delivered its first performance vehicle to the European market in 2017 and arrived in the United States the following year, tapping into the brand's recent motorsports history. It quickly became apparent that customers were intrigued by what N had to offer, but not all were interested in making the sacrifices in comfort and efficiency that often come with a high-performance vehicle.

The N Line designation arrived in 2018, again making its debut on the European-market i30 compact car before scooting across the Atlantic in the form of the Hyundai Elantra GT N Line for the 2019 model year.

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What Hyundai N Line Gives You

All Hyundai N Line models graft on additional styling cues — such as unique wheels, colors, and aerodynamic add-ons — as well as spiffier interior details and badging. This makes them easily identifiable compared with other trim levels in the lineup, as does the louder exhaust system available on certain models.

They also provide improved performance over standard versions of the same vehicles, although not to the same hardcore levels available on Hyundai N editions. On some models, handling is enhanced by more aggressive tires combined with suspension upgrades — such as a multilink setup at the rear or an electronically controlled suspension — an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and chassis bracing.

On other versions, a more powerful engine compared with the base model is installed, along with a dual-clutch automated manual transmission — to provide quicker gear shifts — or a six-speed manual transmission. Launch control and unique drive modes are also available for some N Line Hyundais.

It's important to note that these upgrades are not necessarily evenly distributed. Nameplates that also offer an N performance model step back their N Line equipment level.

Hyundai

Hyundai Models That Offer the N Line Trim Level

For the 2024 model year, three Hyundai vehicles are available in N Line editions.

Two of these are sedans: the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Line for about $30,000 and the 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line for about $36,000. On the SUV side, there is the subcompact 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line selling for about $32,000 as well as the compact 2024 Tucson Hybrid N Line.

Of these vehicles, both the Elantra and the Kona have previously been available with more track-focused N editions. Such additions, however, have yet to be announced for the current model year.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.