Elantra. It’s a nameplate that’s not really synonymous with performance-oriented compacts the same way a Honda Civic or Subaru Impreza might be. More than anything, it’s the Korean equivalent of the Toyota Corolla—durable, comfy, practical. It’s neat, but it doesn’t really quicken the pulse. This is all before the folks at Hyundai’s high-performance division, Hyundai N, had a proper crack at it. As it turns out, once the Elantra switches on its N DNA, it turns from Bruce Banner into the Incredible Hulk—a Hulk that’s more than just brute strength. It’s got genius intelligent and can do ballet too. Better than a Civic Type R or Subaru WRX? In a whole lot of ways.
