Hyundai recently unveiled its N performance models in the Philippines. This of course includes the Elantra N. For this spec-sheet brawl, we’ll be pitting Hyundai’s new high-performance sedan versus Honda’s iconic Civic Type R hot hatch.
The Elantra N measures 4,710mm long, 1,825mm wide, and 1,415mm tall. This makes it 117mm longer, 65mm narrower, and 8mm taller than the Civic Type R. The sporty Hyundai has a ground clearance of 135mm, or 12mm greater than its Honda rival.
Both these performance compact cars are powered by transversely mounted 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line-four gasoline engines. In terms of power, the Hyundai produces 276hp, while the Honda pumps out 315hp. The Elantra N transmits its power to the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, while the Civic Type R channels its power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Both cars have sports-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and large 19-inch alloys. The Hyundai is equipped with 245/35 R19 tires, while the Honda rolls on wider 265/30 R19 rubber.
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On the tech side, the Elantra N has a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the Civic Type R gets a smaller nine-inch unit. Both cars have Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the former being wireless on the Honda. They offer premium audio by Bose, the Elantra N with eight speakers and the Civic Type R having twelve speakers. In terms of safety, the Hyundai gets six airbags while the Honda has eight, two of which are knee airbags.
Here’s a quick refresher for our pair of performance cars. The new Elantra N is the high-performance version of Hyundai’s latest compact sedan. The ‘N’ stands for Namyang, the location of Hyundai’s Korean R&D center, and Nürburgring, the home of Hyundai’s European Technical Center. The Civic Type R is the ultimate hot-hatch hatch version of Honda’s popular Civic. The ‘R’ in ‘Type R’ stands for Racing. While the Civic Type R’s history began back in 1997, Elantra N’s story started much more recently in 2021.
The new Elantra N has a price tag of P2,738,000. The Civic Type R, on the other hand, stickers in at P3,870,000. Between the two cars is a massive P1,132,000 gap. Which one will it be: The new kid on the block or the pricier hot-hatch icon?
We’ve put together the specs of the Elantra N and Civic Type R in the table below to make it easier for you to choose. Let us know which of these high-performance compacts you’d like to drive home, and watch out for our Big Test between these two. Trailer below.
Honda Civic Type R |
Hyundai Elantra N |
|
| Price (Philippine Peso) | 3,870,000 | 2,738,000 |
| Drive | FWD | FWD |
| Seating capacity | 4 | 5 |
| Engine Type | 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line-four gasoline | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline |
| Power | 315 | 276 |
| Torque | 420 | 392 |
| Fuel tank capacity (liters) | 47 | 47 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 8-speed dual-clutch |
| Brakes (front/rear) | disc/disc | disc/ disc |
| Wheels | 19-inch alloy | 19-inch alloy |
| Tires | 265/30 R19 | 245/35 R19 |
| Front suspension | Independent MacPherson strut (dual-axis) | Independent MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | Independent multilink | Independent multilink |
| Seat material | Suede-style fabric | Synthetic suede and synthetic leather |
| Infotainment system | 9-inch touchscreen | 10.25-inch touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wireless Apple Carplay + Android Auto | Apple Carplay + Android Auto |
| Speakers | 12 | 8 |
| Power sunroof | No | Yes |
| Airbags | 8 | 6 |
| ABS w/ electronic brakeforce distribution | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Control | Yes | Yes |
| Hill-start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Rear (multi-view) | Rear |
| Parking Sensors | No | Front and rear |
| Headlights | LED | Dual-projector LED |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4,593 x 1,890 x 1,407 | 4,710 x 1,825 x 1,415 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,735 | 2,720 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 123 | 135 |
| Spare Tire | No (tire repair kit) | Yes (temporary) |
