PERFORMANCE CAR CHALLENGE: Hyundai Elantra N vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Honda Civic Si vs. Subaru BRZ

Cheap speed might not be as cheap as it used to be, but there's still plenty of fun to be had at a moderately affordable price point. Are there any other fun cars you'd like us to test that won't break the bank? Let us know in the comments below!

The Civic SI's advertised horsepower has not changed by more than 8 horsepower in 18 years. Honda definitely needs to bump that power to modern, competitive levels.

No need to find out. We already know alot of professional TCR drivers have shifted away from the Type R platform and turned to the Elantra N. And to no surprise they have been winning. We need to stop living in the past and saying "its a Hyundai though" Albert Biermann has paved the way for Hyundai's success and I'm happy to ride with it.

The smile you get driving the Elantra N is for real. I test drove all these cars and the Elantra was the only to make me smile like a little kid. It still makes me smile every morning a year later

Recently I went to test drive 2 sport cars that received a lot of good reviews from auto magazines and You Tube reviewers: The '22 Subaru BRZ 6MT (similar to the GR86) & the Elantra N DCT, and these is what I noticed: GR86/BRZ: very light weight with great handling, quick engine, very precise shifter and good steering wheel, nice looking cockpit with analog displays, and great seating position, OK exhaust sound. And on the Elantra N. Crazy power, great nimble handling, DCT shifts were great, suspension adjustability was great, exhaust sound was OK, it made me felt nervous when other driver was driving it. For sure is way faster than the GR86/BRZ, great adjustability of features on the display and great seating position. It has better cabin space and trunk space. Some FWD jumping presence while stepping on the gas from a stop. A crazy entertaining ride.

Elantra N. My 24 yr old daughter bought her own brand new '22 Elantra N almost two years ago, as a present to herself for landing her first real job out of college. It's identical to this one but with the 8DCT. She tells me she has timed a 0-60 of 4.8 sec using the on-board timer, and I know other people have been able to do this with the 8DCT as well. The 6MT is capable of hitting 60 in a little over 5 sec, but 6.4 is probably a better reflection of how it accelerates when you care about clutch longevity, though. It's a great little car that can actually be very economical on road trips, too, while oozing character and punching above its price with all the right noises and a presence the others can't match, IMO. The exhaust pops and farts are the icing on top. It's a little too much for me these days but I realize I'm not the target buyer and that's fine. For the money, it's pretty hard to beat if you are looking for a car like this.

Using the RF was an interesting choice, surely 150 lbs above the center of gravity of a car isn't making it any faster.

You can't call yourself a performance car, with 0-60 close to 8 seconds The Civic Si has lost the plot

$100 for a haircut?! Yall wyln😂

Looks like there was a slight mistake. There is no way all 3 of those cars had the same 0-60

I'd still get the MX-5. More smiles to miles with the top down. Also that's last year's Miata, just sayin'.

Great review! I have owned a Civic Si and now have a GR86. Your review is one of the only ones I have watched that tells it like it is - the GR86/BRZ tells you about the mistakes you make - and that is why we love it! But many reviewers, likely due to wanting to seem like pro drivers, don’t mention its nature. Cheers.

If you don’t care about practicality get the Mazda RF. There’s no other car like it on the market. Do NOT get hung up on horsepower figures. Driving fun is all about light weight, small dimensions and handling characteristics… the open air experience doesn’t hurt. I have a blast driving super cars from time to time but jumping back in my RF I’ve come to realize I have more fun in the Mazda.

Thank you guys for making a video like what Motortrend USED to be years and years ago.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the only vehicle in this video that I would even consider purchasing. Ironically, without a $10K+ down payment and/or trade-in credit, these vehicles are more expensive than what the median income American in 2024 can afford on a reasonably healthy budget.

Hail to Sir Albert Bierman! Hyundai is a track and driving monster. With the DCT, it would have been even faster. There’s no competition in this price range.

The answer is Miata. The answer is always Miata. 💪

Thank Alber Bierrman from BMW M for the Elantra N , it drives like an M and punches way above its weight for the price. Does everything right daily driver/race car

Hyundai Elantra N is absolutely incredible for $34k! Twin scroll turbocharger, 290whp, front mount intercooler, ELSD, electronic suspension, overboost button, electronic valve exhaust system, drive modes, custom modes, exhaust backfires (valve open), launch control, 160 mph top speed, bucket seats and alot more ALL STOCK!!! What other vehicle can say the same!?!?! Fun ass vehicle!!

For anyone considering these vehicles: While the Si has the weakest engine, I found the refinement, fuel economy, practicality, cabin, and (hopeful) reliability made it my choice. While the engine lacks character, I've found nothing to complain about in 4 months. A great sporty commuter sedan at an average 37 mpg. The Elantra N was such a strong 2nd choice, but Hyundai's reliability gave me pause.