23 MPG combined is what you get with the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N. It’s not going to win any awards for being eco-friendly, but it’s the cost for a surprisingly strong and fun sport sedan. This isn’t a car for going the longest distance on the least amount of gas; enthusiasts buy it because they care more about exciting performance than saving fuel.

City and highway performance

The Elantra N’s EPA estimates are 20 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects real-world stop-and-go of urban driving, where the turbocharger is always ready to provide quick acceleration. The highway number, while respectable, can be hard to achieve consistently. The Elantra N encourages aggressive driving, and keeping a steady, fuel-efficient pace on the open road requires restraint that most owners will find difficult. This is because of the great exhaust note and the quick responsiveness of the 2.0L turbocharged engine.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N is $2,500. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs will change depending on your driving habits, local fuel prices, and the type of fuel you use. Because of the Elantra N’s performance features, many owners will use premium fuel, which will increase the annual expense.

Real-world expectations

The EPA estimates give you an idea, but real-world fuel economy for the Elantra N is often a little lower. If you drive the car hard, expect to see around 18-19 MPG in the city and about 28 MPG on the highway. Some drivers who care about being economical and drive efficiently may be able to get the EPA estimates or even a little better, but that takes effort and self-control. Explore all Hyundai fuel economy data to see how the N compares across the brand.

How it compares

The Elantra N’s fuel economy is similar to other performance compact sedans, but isn’t the best. For example, the automatic-equipped Honda Civic Si gets 31 MPG combined. The Volkswagen GTI, with the DSG transmission, gets about 28 MPG combined. Even the Subaru WRX, with its standard all-wheel drive, has a combined MPG that’s usually about the same as the Elantra N. These vehicles offer different driving experiences and performance, but fuel economy is often not the most important thing to buyers in this group. They care more about handling, power, and overall driving enjoyment. Check ELANTRA MPG across all years for more information.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Try not to constantly use the Elantra N’s full power. The turbocharger is important for both performance and fuel use. Every time you floor it, the turbo spools up, using more fuel. Gentle acceleration and keeping a steady speed are important for getting the best fuel economy.

Strategically use the Elantra N’s driving modes. The “Normal” or “Eco” mode will reduce the throttle response and shift points, to encourage fuel-efficient driving. These modes may not be as fun as the “N” mode, but they can help during everyday driving.

Use the Elantra N’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. In automatic mode, the transmission will upshift quickly to higher gears, to keep the engine in its most efficient range. You can also use the paddle shifters to manually select higher gears when cruising on the highway.

Check your tire pressure regularly. Tires with too little air increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. The Elantra N’s performance tires are very sensitive to proper inflation, so maintaining the recommended pressure is essential for both efficiency and handling.

Remove extra weight from the vehicle. Every extra pound reduces fuel economy, especially in a performance car like the Elantra N. Clearing out unnecessary items from the trunk and cabin can help improve MPG a little.