The 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT N Line Looks Sportier and Has Real Handling Upgrades
At first glance, it might seem that the new 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT N Line is merely an appearance package that imitates the brand's N performance models, but it actually replaces the existing Elantra GT Sport in the Elantra lineup as the hottest version of Hyundai's Europe-derived hatchback (known as the i30 overseas) that is available to us Americans. While that GT Sport model looked nearly identical to the regular non-turbo Elantra GT, the new N Line trim does bring more aggressive body styling that is taken from the Euro-only i30 N hot hatch-and it brings real performance modifications, too.
The new exterior bits consist of a new mesh front grille, a deeper front bumper with larger intakes, black side mirrors, special 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (on models equipped with the manual transmission), a rear diffuser with dual exhaust, and N Line badging. Hyundai says that the new front end actually sees aerodynamic improvements compared to the current GT Sport's fascia.
On the inside, heated black leather seats with red stitching and piping are standard, as are a new shift knob, a new leather-wrapped steering wheel, a different gauge cluster, and, of course, more N Line badging. The Elantra GT Sport's upscale interior was already impressive-especially considering the price and high feature count-so these minor changes should only improve our opinion.
But what we really care about are the new performance upgrades. The engine mounts, transmission mounts, and springs have all been made stiffer. The tuning of the shocks and steering has been improved, and the front and rear sway bars are new. Plus, the aforementioned tires should be much grippier than the outgoing Sport's Hankook all-season rubber. We've always thought that the Elantra GT Sport was not quite there when it came to going against our favorite sport compacts such as the Honda Civic Si and the Volkswagen Golf GTI, so if these improvements get it even closer, that's a win in our book. Plus, it's just nice to see a package like this with an aspirational name that's more than just a collection of appearance parts.
What hasn't been changed is the engine. The front-wheel-drive-only GT N Line uses the same 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four as last year's Sport, which can be paired with the standard six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (a $1100 option). In our testing, an Elantra GT Sport with the manual hit 60 mph in 6.6 seconds; an automatic model was 0.3 second quicker.
Pricing for the N Line starts at $24,185 for models with the six-speed, which is only $50 more than last year's Sport. (Oh, and the regular Elantra GT carries over unchanged for 2019.) Hyundai says that this new Elantra GT "signals more N Line models to come" from the brand, so we wouldn't be surprised to see, say, an N Line version of the Veloster that bridges the gap between the Veloster Turbo and the Veloster N. Now Hyundai, can you just bring us over that glorious i30 N? And throw in the wacky i30 Fastback while you're at it.
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