Episode 440: 2026 Hyundai Elantra N Line, 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, Honda's Huge EV Loss
About this episode
The hosts dive into the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N Line, highlighting its sporty styling, 201-hp turbo engine, and firmer suspension that sacrifices some comfort. They compare it to competitors like the Civic Si and discuss drivetrain quirks. Next, they review the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, praising its spacious interior, solid four-cylinder powertrain, and practical features, but criticize its overly complex touchscreen infotainment system. Finally, they discuss Honda's recent $7.5 billion EV program cancellation due to shifting US regulations, reflecting on the challenges automakers face balancing electric and ICE vehicles in a volatile market.
Benjamin's takes on the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N Line, a car inspired by the sport compacts of yore. The N Line features an upgraded engine and a sportier suspension system, but is it really an enthusiast oriented model, or just an excuse to hike up the price for Hyundai's compact car?
Then Sami reviews the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas. After testing so many three-row crossovers lately, Sami turns his attention to the German family-friendly ride, which has been thoroughly refreshed in recent years. However, one glaring red flag spoils Sami's recommendation of the Atlas; can you guess what it is?
Finally, the show shares some important and interesting news about Honda's deep-in-development EVs, which are now cancelled. Sami and Benjamin discuss what this means for the EV market in the US and the automotive industry as a whole. Thanks for listening!
Hyundai Elantra
"... checked the numbers? The numbers on the Hyundai Elantra, Sammy. No, no, the car I drove."
The Hyundai Elantra is a small car made by Hyundai that many people use for daily driving. It is known for being affordable and reliable.
The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan known for its value, modern design, and efficient performance. It is a strong seller in the compact car segment and often discussed regarding its sales and features. The Elantra offers a practical option for everyday driving.
high performance compact sedan
"And in that sense, each of those companies, except for Toyota, I think, offers a high performance compact sedan in this."
A high performance compact sedan is a small car that is made to be faster and more fun to drive than regular small cars.
A high performance compact sedan is a small four-door car designed with enhanced power, handling, and sporty features to appeal to driving enthusiasts.
Toyota GR
"And when I say high performance, I know Toyota has the the, oh, my goodness. The GR. Yeah, but that's not really it's a hatchback."
Toyota GR is a special line of sportier Toyota cars made for better performance and fun driving.
Toyota GR refers to Toyota's Gazoo Racing performance sub-brand, which produces sportier versions of Toyota cars, including the GR hatchback models like the GR Yaris.
Volkswagen Gti
"... hatchback. So that's more in line with like the GTI and the Gulf and all that stuff. OK, but there t..."
The Volkswagen Golf is a small car made by Volkswagen that has a hatchback design, meaning it has a door at the back to carry things. It is popular and easy to drive.
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact hatchback that has been a global bestseller for decades, known for its quality, practicality, and sporty GTI variant. It is a benchmark in the compact car segment and often discussed for its versatility and performance. The Golf remains a key model in VW's lineup.
Hyundai Elantra N Line
"And coming into the mix, the much newer competitor is the end line. It's it's probably the newest of all of them, right?"
The Hyundai Elantra N Line is a faster and sportier version of the regular Elantra car. It has special features that make it more fun to drive.
The Hyundai Elantra N Line is a sportier variant of the standard Elantra compact sedan, featuring performance upgrades and styling enhancements to compete in the high-performance compact car segment.
BMW M
"So I think it was it was all done, I think, to copy BMW's M."
BMW M makes sportier and faster versions of regular BMW cars, with better engines and looks.
BMW M is the performance division of BMW, known for producing high-performance versions of BMW cars with enhanced engines, suspensions, and styling.
Cadillac V
"That seems to be like I think Cadillac did it first with V."
Cadillac V is Cadillac's way of making their cars faster and sportier, like BMW M does for BMW.
Cadillac V is the performance sub-brand of Cadillac, producing sportier and more powerful versions of Cadillac vehicles, similar to BMW M.
RS
"I guess you could say RS is its own thing. That's two letters, but that wasn't really a copy. That's Audi's thing."
RS means a sportier and faster version of an Audi car, first used as a trim level and then as its own special model.
RS is a performance designation used by Audi to denote high-performance models, originally starting as trim levels before becoming a distinct performance line.
SRT
"Then there was like SRT. That's three letters. SRT actually stands for something, though. Street racing, street race, street race technology."
SRT means Street Racing Technology and is used for fast and powerful Dodge and Chrysler cars.
SRT stands for Street Racing Technology, a performance brand of Dodge and Chrysler that produces high-performance versions of their vehicles.
Type S
"What about Acura and their Type S and Type R? Ford had SVT. Yeah, Type S is definitely a thing."
Type S means the car is a faster and sportier version made by Acura.
Type S is Acura's performance trim designation for sportier versions of their vehicles, offering enhanced power, handling, and styling compared to standard models.
Type R
"What about Acura and their Type S and Type R?"
Type R means the car is made to be very fast and good for racing by Honda or Acura.
Type R is a high-performance variant used by Honda and Acura, known for aggressive tuning, lighter weight, and track-focused enhancements.
Acura
"Well, Honda and we did Honda. What about Acura and their Type S and Type R?"
Acura is Honda's fancy car brand that makes cars with more power and nicer features.
Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Honda, known for combining performance and luxury in their cars. Acura offers performance-oriented trims like Type S and Type R.
SVT
"Ford had SVT. Yeah, Type S is definitely a thing. SVT. Yeah. But SVT."
SVT was a special team at Ford that made their cars faster and more powerful.
SVT stands for Special Vehicle Team, Ford's former performance division responsible for developing high-performance versions of their cars, such as the SVT Mustang Cobra.
ST
"And then they changed to ST for a while, remember? Yeah, yeah. They still are doing ST. But it was all under the Ford racing banner, too."
ST means the car is a sportier and faster version made by Ford.
ST stands for Sport Technologies and is Ford's current performance sub-brand used on sportier versions of models like the Fiesta ST and Focus ST.
STI
""Yeah, Super Roost, STI. And then they have these other ones. What are they called? T.S. Oh, that's but that's just a subset. It's tuned by STI, right? Like I hate these things.""
STI is a special part of Subaru that makes their cars faster and better for racing and sporty driving.
STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International, which is Subaru's performance and motorsports division responsible for tuning and enhancing Subaru vehicles for higher performance.
M line
""Yeah, it's because it's similar to like the M line. Isn't there like an M line for BMW or is M Sport?""
The M line is BMW's way of making their cars faster and more fun to drive.
BMW's M line refers to their high-performance models and trims, such as the M3 and M340, which are sportier and more powerful versions of standard BMW vehicles.
M Sport
""Isn't there like an M line for BMW or is M Sport? M Sport, M Sport and and that's it.""
M Sport is a version of BMW cars that look sportier and handle better but aren't as fast as the full M versions.
M Sport is a trim level offered by BMW that includes sportier styling and suspension upgrades but is generally less performance-focused than full M models like the M3.
M50
""Yeah, you know, and the M50 and the M70. These are not so sad.""
M50 is a type of engine BMW made that was powerful and lasted a long time.
M50 is a BMW engine designation referring to a series of inline-six engines produced in the 1990s, known for their performance and reliability.
M70
""Yeah, you know, and the M50 and the M70. These are not so sad.""
M70 is a big, smooth engine BMW used in some of their fancy cars.
M70 is a BMW V12 engine produced in the early 1990s, known for its smoothness and use in luxury BMW models.
turbocharged engine
"So the Elantra N line, sorry, has a 1.6 liter turbo with 201 horsepower. ... And the Elantra N has like a two liter, 276 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder."
A turbocharged engine has a special part called a turbo that pushes more air into the engine. This helps the car make more power and go faster.
A turbocharged engine uses a turbine-driven forced induction device to increase the engine's efficiency and power output by forcing extra compressed air into the combustion chamber. This results in more horsepower and torque compared to a naturally aspirated engine of the same size.
dual clutch automatic
"The car comes with my car and I think all of them. Seven speed dual clutch automatic. I don't think there's a manual available for this anymore."
A dual clutch automatic is a type of car transmission that changes gears quickly and smoothly without you needing to press a clutch pedal.
A dual clutch automatic transmission (DCT) uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets, allowing for faster and smoother gear changes compared to traditional automatic or manual transmissions. It improves performance and efficiency.
Hyundai Elantra N
"I think you have to get the Elantra N to get the manual. And the Elantra N has like a two liter, 276 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder."
The Elantra N is a faster and sportier version of the Elantra car. It has a bigger turbo engine and you can get it with a manual transmission to change gears yourself.
The Hyundai Elantra N is the high-performance version of the Elantra, featuring a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 276 horsepower. It offers a manual transmission option and is designed for enthusiasts seeking a sporty compact sedan.
multi link rear suspension
"The other key difference for this car is it has a multi link rear suspension. Oh, OK. All the other Elantras are torsion beam."
Multi link rear suspension is a way the car's back wheels are connected to the car so they can move smoothly and keep the car steady when driving.
A multi link rear suspension uses multiple arms and links to control wheel movement independently, improving ride quality and handling by allowing better tire contact with the road.
torsion beam rear suspension
"All the other Elantras are torsion beam. So that will make a difference in handling. ... a torsion axle is really it's a cost cutting measure. It's an affordable thing to build. It's more comfort oriented than handling oriented."
Torsion beam suspension is a simple way the car's back wheels are connected by a bar that twists to help the car ride smoothly, but it is not as good for sharp handling.
A torsion beam rear suspension is a simpler and more cost-effective design where the rear wheels are connected by a beam that twists to absorb bumps. It is generally less capable in handling compared to multi link suspensions but offers comfort and affordability.
adaptive cruise control
"There is a model called the limited that is more luxurious in the sense that it has like adaptive cruise control and Hyundai driving assistance and like, you know, the hands hands free lane change, I think, and all that stuff. Maybe not the lane change, but like it has the the lane following. That's not available in the US on the N line, but the N line is like $2,000 more."
Adaptive cruise control is a smart system in some cars that helps keep a safe distance from the car in front by slowing down or speeding up automatically. It makes driving on highways easier and safer.
Adaptive cruise control is an advanced driver assistance feature that automatically adjusts a vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. It enhances safety and convenience during highway driving by reducing the need for manual speed adjustments.
rev hang
"It will lock you out of very aggressive downshifting. And there's a lot of rev hang. Interesting, pretty much all the time."
Rev hang means the car's engine stays louder and faster for a moment after you stop pressing the gas, which can feel strange.
Rev hang is a phenomenon where the engine RPM stays elevated longer than expected when the driver lifts off the throttle, often due to engine management tuning.
manual mode
"And it will also automatically shift for you in manual mode, if it thinks you're not shifting fast enough."
Manual mode lets you choose the gears yourself in a car that usually changes gears automatically, so you can feel more in control.
Manual mode in an automatic or dual clutch transmission allows the driver to manually select gears, often using paddle shifters or the gear lever, for a more engaged driving experience.
sport compact
"OK, so that like starts moving it out of like the upper tier of of like a sport compact."
A sport compact is a smaller car made to be faster and more fun to drive than regular cars.
A sport compact is a small to mid-size car designed with enhanced performance features such as more powerful engines, sport-tuned suspensions, and aggressive styling.
touch sensitive buttons
"You really have to get used to operating so many things with that touchscreen and the touch buttons around the touchscreen. So I found myself accidentally, even like the sunshade is a touch sensitive button,"
These are buttons you just need to touch lightly to work, instead of pushing them down. Sometimes they can be easy to press by mistake.
Touch sensitive buttons are controls that respond to touch rather than physical pressing. They are often integrated around touchscreens but can be prone to accidental activation due to their sensitivity.
concierge service
"I accidentally called the concierge. Wait, what? OK, Volkswagen concierge. When you call the concierge, were they able to activate the feature for you?"
A concierge service in a car is like having a helper you can call to get directions or help with things while you're driving.
Concierge service in vehicles is a connected feature that allows drivers to call for assistance, information, or services such as navigation help or reservations. It is often part of a subscription or included package.
Android Auto
""Like when you're just trying to change like an app on on Android Auto, you end up accidentally and I don't know.""
Android Auto lets you use your Android phone safely while driving by showing apps like maps and music on your car's screen. You can control it by touch or voice, so you don't have to look at your phone.
Android Auto is a smartphone integration system developed by Google that allows users to connect their Android phones to their car's infotainment system. It enables access to apps, navigation, music, and communication features through the car's touchscreen or voice commands.
tire alignment
""We knocked a tire out of alignment on the out of out of bounds, sorry, on the outback last week and broken axle on your personal outback.""
Tire alignment means making sure your car's wheels point the right way. If they're off, your tires wear out faster and the car doesn't drive straight.
Tire alignment refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car manufacturer's specifications. Proper alignment ensures even tire wear, good handling, and safety. Hitting potholes can knock a car's alignment out of spec.
broken axle
""...sorry, on the outback last week and broken axle on your personal outback. Not the 26 26 27.""
An axle is a part that helps turn the wheels. If it breaks, the car can't move properly and needs to be fixed.
A broken axle is a serious mechanical failure where one of the car's axles is damaged or snapped. This can cause loss of power to the wheels and make the vehicle undrivable until repaired.
surround view camera system
"It's a three row crossover and I want I know that it has a surround view or three hundred and sixty degree camera system. I want to see how close I am to the end of my garage."
This system puts together pictures from cameras all around your car to show you everything nearby, like a bird looking down. It helps you park and avoid hitting things.
A surround view camera system uses multiple cameras around a vehicle to provide a 360-degree bird's-eye view, helping drivers see obstacles and navigate tight spaces more easily.
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