2025 Toyota GR86 vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra N
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Toyota GR86 and the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N is the substantial 48 horsepower advantage held by the Elantra N, delivering 276 hp compared to the GR86's 228 hp. This performance gap is supported by the Elantra N's 289 lb-ft of torque, significantly exceeding the GR86's 184 lb-ft. However, the GR86 commands better efficiency, achieving a combined 22 MPG versus the Elantra N's 24 MPG, though both require premium fuel. Pricewise, the Elantra N carries a $4,700 premium, retailing at $35,100 against the GR86's $30,400. The practical differences extend to size, with the Elantra N offering 14.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, more than double the GR86's restrictive 6.3 cu ft, while also being physically longer at 185.4 inches.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Elantra N
The Elantra N achieves a marginally better combined 24 MPG compared to the GR86's 22 MPG, slightly reducing running costs for daily driving.
2026 Hyundai Elantra N
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra N is the superior choice due to its four-door sedan layout and 14.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly more practical than the GR86's 6.3 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Elantra N
The Elantra N offers significantly superior power metrics with 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, providing a demonstrably faster performance base than the GR86's 228 hp.
2025 Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 secures the value win by offering a $4,700 lower MSRP while still providing a competitive 228 hp rear-wheel-drive experience.
Choose the Toyota GR86 if...
- Budget constraints are primary, as the GR86 has an MSRP of $30,400, which is $4,700 less than the Elantra N.
- Rear-wheel-drive dynamics and a classic coupe silhouette are preferred over a sedan layout.
- A driver prioritizes a slightly higher combined fuel economy of 22 MPG in a performance package.
Choose the Hyundai Elantra N if...
- Maximum available power is necessary, benefiting from the Elantra N's 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque.
- Practicality is essential, utilizing the 14.2 cu ft of trunk space for cargo.
- A larger vehicle platform (185.4 inches long) with four doors is required for passengers or utility.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota GR86 | Hyundai Elantra N |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 167.9" | 185.4" |
| Width | 69.9" | 71.9" |
| Height | 51.6" | 55.7" |
| Wheelbase | 101.4" | 107.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Integrated Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | — | 3 |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 228 hp @ 7000 rpm | 276 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 289 lb-ft @ 2100 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 | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Rear Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Front Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 21/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 264.0/343.2 mi. | 260.4/359.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 12.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 10.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | With Real Time Traffic |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Premium Speaker Brand | — | Bose |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 37.0 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 53.6 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Front Hip Room | — | 53.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 33.5 in. | 37.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 29.9 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 51.7 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 50.5 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | 19 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | Performance | Performance |
| Tire Size | 215/45R17 | 245/35R |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota GR86 and 2026 Hyundai Elantra N.
What is the primary mechanical difference between the GR86 and the Elantra N?
The core mechanical difference lies in the drivetrain configuration: the GR86 utilizes rear-wheel drive (RWD) for traditional sports car handling, while the Elantra N uses front-wheel drive (FWD). Furthermore, the Elantra N produces 48 more horsepower than the GR86.
How does the price difference impact the overall value proposition?
The Elantra N is priced $4,700 higher at $35,100 versus the GR86's $30,400, meaning buyers must weigh the added 50 horsepower and increased utility of the Elantra N against the lower initial outlay of the GR86.
Which vehicle is more suitable for a small family based on specifications?
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra N is clearly more family-oriented as a sedan offering 14.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is more than double the 6.3 cu ft available in the two-door GR86 coupe.
Do these performance cars require different types of fuel?
No, both the 2025 Toyota GR86 and the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N explicitly require premium unleaded fuel to achieve their stated performance figures.
Is the size difference noticeable between the two body styles?
Yes, the Elantra N sedan is substantially larger, measuring 185.4 inches in length and 55.7 inches in height, compared to the GR86 coupe, which is only 167.9 inches long and 51.6 inches tall.
Which car offers better fuel efficiency figures?
The Elantra N technically leads with 24 MPG combined versus the GR86’s 22 MPG combined; however, the GR86 manages slightly better highway efficiency at 26 MPG compared to the Elantra N's 29 MPG highway rating, although this is balanced by lower city mileage.
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