2025 Hyundai Elantra N vs 2026 Toyota GR86
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N is a blistering front-wheel-drive sedan packing 276 hp, making it the power leader in this showdown, despite its slightly higher $34,350 MSRP. Conversely, the 2026 Toyota GR86 brings pure, elemental RWD sports car joy in a smaller coupe package for just $30,800, offering a more focused, raw driving edge with 228 hp. The Elantra N delivers more brute force and practicality, evidenced by its 14.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the GR86's meager 6.3 cu ft. While both demand premium unleaded fuel and offer a thrilling 6-speed manual experience, the Elantra N offers 48 more horsepower and a significantly wider, longer body (185.4 inches long). The GR86 wins on pure agility and entry price, whereas the Elantra N impresses with sheer straight-line capability.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Elantra N
The Elantra N, being a sedan with greater overall size, offers superior daily practicality and slightly better combined MPG at 24.
2025 Hyundai Elantra N
The Elantra N sedan provides vastly more usable space, boasting 14.2 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the GR86's 6.3 cu ft.
2026 Toyota GR86
The GR86's dedicated rear-wheel-drive architecture offers a more traditional and purist dynamic experience than the Elantra N's FWD setup.
2026 Toyota GR86
The GR86 is $3,550 cheaper upfront and still delivers the sought-after 6-speed manual transmission experience.
Choose the Hyundai Elantra N if...
- You need usable rear seats and nearly double the trunk space (14.2 cu ft vs 6.3 cu ft).
- You crave higher straight-line acceleration due to its 276 hp output, which is 48 hp more than the rival.
- You prioritize better overall fuel efficiency, achieving 24 MPG combined versus the GR86's 22 MPG combined.
Choose the Toyota GR86 if...
- You demand the purity of a dedicated rear-wheel-drive coupe chassis for spirited driving.
- You are seeking the lower entry price point, starting at $30,800 versus the Elantra N’s $34,350.
- You prefer a physically smaller, more nimble car, evidenced by its 167.9-inch length compared to 185.4 inches for the Elantra N.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Elantra N | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 185.4" | 167.9" |
| Width | 71.9" | 69.9" |
| Height | 55.7" | 51.6" |
| Wheelbase | 107.1" | 101.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Integrated Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | — |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 276 hp @ 5500 rpm | 228 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Torque | 289 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Front Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Rear Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/29 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 260.4/359.6 mi. | 264.0/343.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12.4 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium Stereo System | Bose | — |
| Premium Speaker Brand | Bose | — |
| Speaker System | 8 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.6 in. | 37.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.5 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 53.4 in. | — |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.3 in. | 33.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 29.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 51.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 50.5 in. | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | 17 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | Performance | Performance |
| Tire Size | 245/35R | 215/45R17 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N and 2026 Toyota GR86.
Which car offers better straight-line speed?
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N is significantly faster off the line, generating 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, substantially outpacing the GR86's 228 hp and 184 lb-ft.
Is the GR86 impractical for daily use?
Yes, the GR86, being a compact coupe, offers only 6.3 cu ft of cargo space and has a lower roofline (51.6 inches high). The Elantra N sedan is more accommodating for weekly errands.
Why does the Elantra N require premium fuel?
Both vehicles require premium unleaded fuel to safely manage their high-compression engines and achieve their advertised power figures. This requirement adds to the operational cost for both models.
How much more expensive is the Elantra N?
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N has an MSRP of $34,350, making it $3,550 more expensive than the base 2026 Toyota GR86, which starts at $30,800.
Which offers a more traditional sports car feel?
Enthusiasts will generally favor the GR86 for its rear-wheel-drive layout and smaller dimensions, promoting a more balanced, involving chassis, despite the Elantra N's superior horsepower figure.
Do both cars come exclusively with manual transmissions?
Based on the provided data, both the Elantra N and the GR86 are listed with the enthusiast-favorite 6-speed manual transmission as standard or featured, although other options may exist outside this comparison scope.
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