Popularity for the humble sedan has faltered over the years, as buyers turn to more practical, higher-riding crossovers. Likewise, affordable performance cars aren't nearly as popular as they were, say, 20 years ago. That's why we're so surprised to hear the Hyundai Elantra N, a sporty sedan, just had its best sales month ever. Sadly, it's likely not a big a deal as you think.
Hyundai reported May sales numbers this week, highlighting a massive 141-percent increase in Elantra N sales—the best single month for the trim since its introduction in 2021. While the company doesn't break down units sold by trim, the N's sales milestone comes as part of a 24-percent increase in sales for the Elantra overall, with 15,741 units sold.
Don't get us wrong, the Elantra N is an excellent car. It punches above its weight, offering similar performance and smiles to cars that cost five figures more. But a 141-percent jump is an anomaly to big to be explained by enthusiast demand. The real reason behind the spike? It's likely due to the car's refresh, which occurred in early 2024.
When a car is replaced or refreshed, its assembly plant has to be shut down to retool for new body panels and other updates. The pause in production means dealers aren't receiving as many units, which leads to a temporary sales slump. That's what likely happened here. Dealers probably weren't able to sell many Elantra Ns last May simply because they didn't have any in stock. So comparatively, sales jumped in 2025, when inventory normalized. The addition of an automatic transmission also likely helped.
Hyundai, though, seems to disagree. The company provided the following statement when reached by Motor1:
The 141% year-over-year sales growth for the Elantra N in May highlights the model’s growing momentum and strong appeal among performance enthusiasts. We’re seeing a significant uptick in consumer demand, and we’ve responded by increasing inventory to keep pace. Year-to-date, Elantra N sales are up an impressive 297%, reinforcing the vehicle’s growing popularity and strong positioning within the performance segment.
Either way, for the Elantra N to have its best sales month ever in 2025, four years after it went on sale, is impressive. Enthusiast-focused cars usually have the opposite occur, with the biggest sales happening at the beginning of the lifecycle. This milestone is further proof people still want affordable, fun sedans.
