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Two front wheel drive turbocharged sedans go head to head to see who is the best in a drag race.

Hyundai is showing that it’s serious with its foray into the performance arena with its N brand. Its Elantra N offering is a serious performance contender too, with enough juice to challenge a tuned Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Edition. A race between these two would be interesting, and thankfully, YouTube channel Sam CarLegion took matters into their hand by organizing one.

HotCars has seen the Hyundai Elantra N crushed other performance-oriented vehicles in their stock form. The Elantra N managed to achieve thanks to various elements, including its 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected flat-power engine. This mill can deliver 276 HP of max output at just 5,500 rpm and 289 lb-ft of peak torque at only 2,100 rpm. Its N Grin Shift (NGS) feature could temporarily increase the output to 286 hp.

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Complementing this power is an N eight-speed wet, dual-clutch transmission (N DCT), N Corner Carving Differential (e-LSD), Variable Exhaust Valve System, and Launch Control. Launch Control is particularly useful in drag and roll races, like this one organized by Sam CarLegion. The front-wheel-drive Hyundai Elantra N is pretty light, at just around 3,296 lbs of curb weight.

Challenging the Hyundai Elantra N is a VW Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition model, or GLI35. Essentially a sporty version of the Jetta, the Jetta GLI35 comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, offering 228 hp of max output and 258 lb-ft of peak torque in its stock form. Helping out are elements such as six-speed manual transmission and a reworked suspension.

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Sam CarLegion, however, brought not a stock Jetta GLI35, but a version with a Stage 1 tuning and the optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Vlad (the car’s owner), his Jetta GLI35 received an ECU flash tune, cold air intake, and turbo inlet pipe. The 3,294-pound tuned Jetta GLI now makes 298 hp of max output and 358 lb-ft of torque.

The Hyundai Elantra N, while less powerful than tuned VW Jetta GLI35, actually won the first drag race with NGS, N mode, and Launch Control on. In the second drag race, Sam CarLegion turned off the Launch Control for the Elantra N, allowing the Jetta GLI35 to win the run.

In the third run, which a 30-mph roll contest, the Elantra N went past the Jetta GLI35 despite losing in power. This made Vlad think that the Elantra N was actually making more horsepower than advertised.

Julybien Atadero writes from the island of Cebu covering various automotive topics including new sports cars, classic muscles, pickup trucks and SUVs. While I like peace and quiet, I love playing with my kid. When I have nothing else to do, I watch documentaries and animations.