The Hyundai Elantra N and VW Golf R may offer similar levels of performance but when it comes to launching off the line at a genuinely rapid place, the German hatch has the obvious advantage.
YouTuber Sam CarLegion recently headed to a drag strip with the Elantra N and Golf R and proceeded to conduct a series of acceleration tests, both from a standing start and from a roll. While the results may not surprise you, they are interesting nonetheless.
In the first race and with launch control enabled in both cars, the Golf R rockets off the line much quicker than the Elantra N, primarily because it is all-wheel drive while the front-wheel drive layout of the Hyundai sees it spinning up the wheels when trying to put the power to the ground.
Watch Also: Is The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N The Affordable Sports Sedan You Should Buy?
Things get a little more interesting during a roll race from 50 km/h (31 mph). With the dual-clutch transmissions of both cars left in their automatic modes, the Hyundai pulls away from the VW and ends up taking the win.
The tables then turn when a rolling race from 100 km/h (62 mph) is conducted. In that race, the Golf R proves to be a little too fast for the Elantra N, taking a comfortable win.
As a reminder, the Elantra N is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 276 hp and 286 lb-ft (391 Nm) of torque. The Golf R has a power advantage as its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers 315 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm), no doubt helping it at higher speeds and off the line. In fact, whereas the Elantra N needs about 5.2 seconds to hit 100 km/h, tests have shown the Golf R can hit that same mark in around 4.0 seconds.