Compare the2023 Audi S3VS 2023 Hyundai Elantra N

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The S3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Elantra N doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the S3 and Elantra N have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Elantra N’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi S3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Elantra N doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The S3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The S3 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Elantra N doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The S3 has standard Parking System Plus to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the S3 and the Elantra N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra N is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The S3’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Elantra N’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

The Audi S3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Elantra N’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (306 vs. 276) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 289) than the Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the S3 gets better mileage than the Elantra N:

			MPG
S3
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
Elantra N
	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/30 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the S3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Elantra N doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Elantra N requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The S3 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Elantra N (14.5 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi S3 higher (5 out of 10) than the Hyundai Elantra N (3). This means the S3 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Elantra N every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Audi S3 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Elantra N.

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Elantra N doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The S3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Elantra N’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

For better maneuverability, the S3’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Elantra N’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

Chassis

The S3 is 6.8 inches shorter than the Elantra N, making the S3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the S3 easier. The S3’s trunk lift-over height is 26.7 inches, while the Elantra N’s liftover is 28.6 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the S3’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Elantra N’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The S3’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra N’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the S3. The Elantra N doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the S3 has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Servicing Ease

The S3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Elantra N uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 34% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the S3, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The S3 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The S3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Elantra N has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The S3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Elantra N’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the S3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Elantra N can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The S3’s power window switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Elantra N’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The S3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Elantra N’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Elantra N doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S3 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Elantra N doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the S3 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Elantra N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the S3 with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Elantra N’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The S3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Elantra N offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The S3 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the S3 and the Elantra N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the S3 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Elantra N doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the S3 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Adaptive Cruise Assist, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Elantra N doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The S3’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Elantra N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The S3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the S3 will retain 50.76% to 50.94% of its original price after five years, while the Elantra N only retains 46.13% to 47.1%.