2026 Hyundai Elantra N TCR Takes Aim at the Honda Civic Type R
The Elantra N TCR Edition features a big wing and upgraded brakes, and it's only available by special order.
There's not much stopping the Elantra N TCR Edition from coming to the United States too.
In 1983, Hyundai began its first sales in North America with the humble Pony—a 70-hp, four-door hatchback. This was not a new strategy, as Honda had also used Canada as a test market with the S600 in the 1960s, long before the N600 arrived in the United States, and Mazda had done likewise with the rotary-powered R100. While the U.S. and Canada have very similar automotive markets, sometimes the latter sees automakers dipping their toes in the water before diving in on a larger scale, and if Hyundai Canada's latest offering is anything to go by, an enthusiast-focused special could be in the future for south of the border.
It's called the Elantra N TCR Edition, and it's basically the 911 GT3 of Hyundais. Starting out with the already excellent Elantra N, Hyundai has added forged wheels and upgraded front brakes via four-piston monoblock calipers. There's also a truly massive swan-neck adjustable rear wing as a calling card.
Hyundai
Inside, the TCR is swathed with Alcantara touch points, periwinkle blue seatbelts, and a host of other cosmetic upgrades. Though it is available in limited quantities and must be specially ordered, Hyundai Canada will still allow you to pick between a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission, as well as four exterior colors (two fewer than the standard Elantra N).
Speaking of which, the TCR Edition doesn't get any more power than the regular Elantra N, so that's 286 horsepower in overboost mode from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. That's plenty, and Hyundai's N products are all about offering chassis capability that allows drivers to extract every bit of speed that a turbo four can provide. Adding upgraded brakes and a bit more aero should mean that this version of the Elantra is capable of setting faster lap times.
Hyundai
Last month, Hyundai claimed its fifth straight TCR class victory at the Nurburgring 24-Hour race, finishing first and second on the podium. The effort included Canadian racing driver Robert Wickens, a former DTM and IndyCar driver who survived a life-altering crash at Pocono Raceway in 2018, yet has returned to top-level motorsports despite being paraplegic.
The original Hyundai Pony was not a great car, and it actually became the butt of jokes north of the border, much like the Yugo did in America. Despite the shaky start, Hyundai has grown to become a world-class brand in both markets, and the launch of the TCR Edition Elantra in Canada just shows how confident the company is these days.
Hyundai
Priced about $3500 more than the standard Elantra N, the TCR Edition seems like a bit of a bargain for some genuinely motorsports-infused performance. There's no reason Hyundai's U.S. operations couldn't put a similar program into place, especially as the cars are special order only, and you wouldn't have to convince dealers to stock them. You can bet Hyundai USA will be watching how the TCR Edition sells in hoser-land. Here's hoping the U.S. gets it too. And if not, well, sorry, eh?
Brendan McAleer
Contributing Editor
Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
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