2026 Hyundai Elantra N vs 2026 Toyota GR86

$35,100 · Sedan

$30,800 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

Deciding between raw, usable practicality and pure, focused fun often boils down to choosing between the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N and the 2026 Toyota GR86. Buyers often wonder if they can justify spending an extra $4,300 for more daily usability. The Elantra N delivers significantly more power, boasting 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, easily outpacing the GR86's 228 hp and 184 lb-ft. However, the GR86 compensates with a smaller footprint (167.9 inches long) and slightly better efficiency, achieving 22 combined MPG versus the Elantra N's 24 combined MPG. Despite the Elantra N's superior fuel economy for its power level, its substantial 14.2 cu ft of cargo space makes it vastly more practical than the coupe's meager 6.3 cu ft, tipping the scales for those who need four doors.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

The Elantra N is the clear choice for commuters due to its four-door sedan configuration and superior cargo capacity of 14.2 cu ft.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

As a sedan, the Elantra N offers four doors and more usable space than the two-door GR86 coupe, making family duty easier.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota GR86

The GR86 offers the purist experience with its smaller, lighter RWD platform designed strictly for spirited driving dynamics.

💰 Best Value

2026 Toyota GR86

The GR86 wins on initial outlay, costing $4,300 less than the Elantra N while still offering a standard 6-speed manual transmission.

Choose the Hyundai Elantra N if...

You need usable rear seats and a trunk capacity of 14.2 cu ft for real-world errands.
You prioritize outright acceleration provided by 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque.
You want slightly better fuel economy (24 combined MPG) despite having a much more powerful engine.

Choose the Toyota GR86 if...

You want the lowest barrier to entry, with an MSRP of only $30,800.
You prefer the handling feel of a dedicated rear-wheel-drive platform.
You don't need more than 6.3 cu ft of cargo space and prefer a smaller, more nimble 167.9-inch length.

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 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	With Real Time Traffic	✓
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	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N and 2026 Toyota GR86.

Is the Hyundai Elantra N worth the extra $4,300 over the Toyota GR86?

It depends entirely on your daily needs; the Elantra N gives you 48 more horsepower (276 hp vs 228 hp) and a proper sedan body style, justifying the price jump for practicality.

Which car is better for track days: the GR86 or the Elantra N?

While both are engaging, the GR86 is traditionally built for the track with its dedicated RWD sports coupe architecture and smaller dimensions (51.6 inches high).

Does the Elantra N use less fuel despite being more powerful?

Surprisingly, yes, the Elantra N achieves 24 combined MPG compared to the GR86's 22 combined MPG, possibly due to better powertrain tuning, even though both require premium unleaded.

How significant is the difference in cargo space?

The difference is vast; the Elantra N offers 14.2 cu ft, which is more than double the GR86's extremely tight 6.3 cu ft, making the Hyundai better for luggage or groceries.

Are the transmissions identical since both offer a manual?

Both feature a 6-speed manual, but the Elantra N is FWD while the GR86 is RWD, which drastically changes the driving feel, even if the gear counts match.

Which car is physically larger?

The Elantra N is noticeably larger, measuring 185.4 inches long and 71.9 inches wide, making it substantially bigger than the 167.9-inch long, 69.9-inch wide GR86 coupe.