Compare the2024 Volkswagen Golf RVS 2023 Hyundai Elantra N

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Golf R have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Elantra N doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Golf R’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Golf R has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, 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 Golf R 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 Golf R has standard Park Distance Control 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 Golf R and the Elantra N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Golf R’s engines use 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 Golf R Manual’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (315 vs. 276) than the Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Golf R DSG’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (315 vs. 276) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 289) than the Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Golf R Manual is faster than the Hyundai Elantra N (manual transmissions tested):

	Golf R	Elantra N
Zero to 60 MPH	4.9 sec	5.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	11.4 sec	12.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.4 sec	13.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	106 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Golf R DSG gets better fuel mileage than the Elantra N 8-speed SMG (22 city/31 hwy vs. 20 city/30 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Golf R Automatic’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 Volkswagen Golf R uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Elantra N requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Golf R 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 Volkswagen Golf R higher (5 out of 10) than the Hyundai Elantra N (3). This means the Golf R produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Elantra N every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Golf R stops shorter than the Elantra N:

	Golf R	Elantra N
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	156 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The Golf R has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Elantra N; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Chassis

The Golf R is 1 foot, 3.2 inches shorter than the Elantra N, making the Golf R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Golf R is quieter than the Elantra N:

	Golf R	Elantra N
At idle	39 dB	47 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	72 dB

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Golf R easier. The Golf R’s trunk lift-over height is 26.6 inches, while the Elantra N’s liftover is 28.6 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Golf R’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Elantra N’s useful trunk space.

The Golf R’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.

Servicing Ease

The Golf R 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.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Golf R, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. 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 Golf R’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Elantra N doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Golf R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Elantra N does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Golf R has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 Golf R’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 Golf R’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.

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

The Golf R’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 Golf R 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Golf R has a standard rear wiper. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Golf R has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Elantra N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Golf R 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.

Both the Golf R and the Elantra N have standard heated front seats. The Golf R also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Elantra N.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Golf R keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Elantra N doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Golf R’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Elantra N doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Golf R 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 Golf R and the Elantra N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Golf R 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 Golf R has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, 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 Golf R’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.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Golf R second among compact cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Elantra N isn’t in the top three.

Motor Trend selected the Golf R as their 2015 Car of the Year. The Elantra N has never been chosen.