The facelifted Hyundai Elantra N makes us very sad indeed

When it first arrived back in 2021, we were disappointed that the Hyundai Elantra N was not scheduled for sale in Europe. And now, after a mid-life styling refresh, we’re even more angry.

Just look at it. There’s no confirmation yet, but the powertrain is unlikely to change, so that makes this handsome thing a manual-gearboxed, 276bhp, front-wheel drive sports saloon, now with a face that a mother might actually be able to love.

It really is a smart facelift, with sharper LED lights and a less toothy grille. There are new 19-inch telephone dial-style wheels too, as well as a redesigned rear end with a larger black bumper and some slightly more jaunty angles. 

The new look was unveiled at the Shanghai motor show as the Elantra N is set to launch in China later this year, but surely if we make enough noise we’ll be able to have the little 2.0-litre turbo saloon in the UK?