2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra N

$43,995 · Sedan

$35,100 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia explodes onto the scene with Italian flair, boasting 280 hp and a standard Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) layout, promising an inherently engaging, dynamic drive wrapped in seductive styling. In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N thrills with raw focus, offering 276 hp and the pure connection of a 6-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels, all while demanding significantly less cash outlay. The Giulia feels decidedly more premium, with a slightly shorter length at 182.5 inches compared to the Elantra N's 185.4 inches, yet the Alfa trades some daily efficiency for performance pedigree, achieving 27 MPG combined versus the Elantra N's 24 MPG combined. However, the $8,895 MSRP gap—$43,995 for the Alfa versus $35,100 for the Hyundai—makes the Elantra N a formidable, fun-to-drive bargain that utilizes its available 14.2 cu ft of cargo space effectively.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Alfa Romeo Giulia wins for commuters due to its superior combined MPG rating of 27 versus the Elantra N's 24 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

The Hyundai Elantra N is slightly more practical, offering 14.2 cu ft of cargo space and a lower barrier to entry price.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Giulia's standard RWD platform provides a purer, more balanced performance dynamic preferred by driving enthusiasts over the Elantra N's FWD setup.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

The Elantra N delivers exhilarating performance very close to the Alfa Romeo but at a remarkable $8,895 lower starting MSRP.

Choose the Alfa Romeo Giulia if...

You prioritize the classic handling dynamics and balance provided by the standard Rear-Wheel Drive configuration.
You demand the more refined fuel economy of 33 MPG highway from your daily driver.
The emotional appeal and elegant design ethos of the Italian brand are paramount to your purchasing decision.

Choose the Hyundai Elantra N if...

You insist on the ultimate driver control afforded only by the standard 6-speed manual transmission.
Saving nearly $9,000 on the initial purchase price while still getting 276 hp is a major factor.
You need the slightly greater overall length (185.4 inches) and utilize the 14.2 cu ft of available cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Hyundai Elantra N
Length	182.5"	185.4"
Width	73.7"	71.9"
Height	56.5"	55.7"
Wheelbase	111.0"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Front Integrated Headrests	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5200 rpm	276 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	289 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	front wheel drive
Front Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/33 MPG	21/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	367.2/504.9 mi.	260.4/359.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.3 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	8
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	With Real Time Traffic
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	3 months
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Front Head Room	38.6 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	42.4 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.1 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	53.4 in.
Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	37.6 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.1 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	55.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	50.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Size	225/45R18	245/35R
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Tire Type	—	Performance

Suspension

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2026 Hyundai Elantra N.

How does the 6-speed manual in the Elantra N compare to the Giulia's automatic transmission?

The 2026 Elantra N features a highly praised 6-speed manual gearbox, offering maximum driver engagement and involvement. Conversely, the 2025 Giulia utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which provides faster automated shifts and a slight edge in overall combined MPG (27 vs 24).

Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia's higher horsepower worth the extra cost?

The Giulia has a slight horsepower advantage with 280 hp compared to the Elantra N's 276 hp, but the $8,895 price difference means the Elantra N offers a significantly better performance-per-dollar ratio. Both require premium unleaded fuel.

Which sedan is physically larger, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or the Hyundai Elantra N?

The Hyundai Elantra N is slightly longer at 185.4 inches compared to the Giulia's 182.5 inches, giving it marginally more presence on the road. However, the Elantra N is narrower (71.9 inches vs 73.7 inches) and slightly lower (55.7 inches vs 56.5 inches).

Are there significant differences in fueling costs between these two premium unleaded cars?

Yes, the Giulia achieves 27 MPG combined, while the Elantra N achieves 24 MPG combined. While both require expensive premium fuel, the Alfa Romeo's 3 MPG advantage means fewer trips to the pump over the year.

Why is the Alfa Romeo typically preferred for handling, despite the Elantra N being closer in power?

The fundamental difference lies in the drive type; the Giulia's standard Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) platform provides superior weight distribution and a more neutral cornering balance compared to the Elantra N's Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) setup.

Does the Hyundai Elantra N offer better utility features than the Alfa Romeo Giulia?

Based on available data, the Elantra N explicitly lists 14.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, suggesting practical utility. The lower MSRP also means less overall financial strain when accessing that space.