The Hyundai Elantra N carves through curves and whips down straights with so much gusto that it’s managed to win us over despite its polarizing angry-catfish front-end design. Its fun-loving driving dynamics are made all the more engaging by a standard six-speed manual transmission and a rowdy exhaust note that’s artfully balanced between playful and obnoxious. This racy quality carries over into the cabin with its edgy dashboard, aggressively bolstered sports seats, and N badges, which serve as reminders that this isn’t just some ordinary Elantra.

As if we needed any reminders. But the Elantra N is more than just sporty; it’s a roomy, comfortable, and practical four-door sedan. Such versatility is part of what makes this sport compact sedan a winner—literally—something it proved in a recent comparison test against two highly respected peers.