I’m thinking about getting a new car and have my eye on the 2024 Elantra N Line. I watched some videos of it and noticed that some models have different taillights—some have black borders around them, and others don’t. Here are some pictures.
Not the same car. The normal sedan Elantra N-Line does not have the black border. The performance oriented Elantra N has the black border. A dead giveaway is the red trim on the side skirt. Don’t confuse the two. The N-Line is mainly a cosmetic change to make it look sporty compared to the other trims SE, SEL, Limited (US Trims). The Elantra N not only has a different exterior design but also performance parts to make the car perform better on a track, for example, upgraded brakes, tires, suspension, engine, exhaust, etc.
It might be possible to swap the taillights between the two different models, but I’m not sure if they’re compatible. Could have a different wiring harness.
Edit: I should’ve paid closer attention to the background of the second image. Like others have said, regional variations in design specs for the N-Line trim are at play here. According to Hyundai Beijing’s website, there’s no Performance N model, only the regular Elantra and the N-Line which has the black outline on the taillight. The first pic appears to be the US variant of the N-Line, and the second pic is China. So that would explain the differences in taillight design.
@Anand
Looks like the Chinese spec N-Line to me. The wheels and exhaust give it away, plus the Chinese writing in the background.
Mickey said:
@Anand
Looks like the Chinese spec N-Line to me. The wheels and exhaust give it away, plus the Chinese writing in the background.
This. Plus it has the spoiler, not the wing.
@Anand
I’ve seen N-Lines with this trim. I’m guessing it’s just a dealer opt-in.
@Anand
I have the US variant N-Line, and the taillights have black trim (well, it’s directly from Korea, but I’m in the US). The first pic is not US spec, I don’t think. Maybe Europe or Australia.
I ask because I really like the one without the black thick border.
jordansmith said:
I ask because I really like the one without the black thick border.
If you live in the US, then you’re in luck!
jordansmith said:
I ask because I really like the one without the black thick border.
If you live in the US, then you’re in luck!
Which one does the US get?
@jordansmith
The lights without the black trim. If you want to be 100%, go to your dealership and check it out. Are you looking to buy?
Masitsa said:
@jordansmith
The lights without the black trim. If you want to be 100%, go to your dealership and check it out. Are you looking to buy?
I have a Korean N-Line in the US and have the black trim all around my taillights.
Not the same car. The N is the better car. N-Line is for the eco sport model.
I love my N.
By the way, in the picture both are N-Lines.
People who try to make normal/N-Line look like N are clowns.
@Gia
Imitation is the highest form of flattery 
@Gia
It depends on the country/region. The US N-Line has the 1.6T with 201 horsepower. The 24-25 model comes with wheels with an N on them.
@Gia
They’re both N-Lines, not N. The N-Line is the only trim with those rims.
Different countries have different specifications for the N-Line. Features, interior and exterior, and even the drivetrain can be different.
The black eyeliner taillight is more expensive, and most people will tell you it looks better. In my opinion, the plain taillight looks super cheap.
@Mickey
That makes sense, thank you! Yeah, the thing I don’t like about the eyeliner is how it divides the brake lights from the reverse light and turn signals. I don’t know, it might end up growing on me 
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I have an N and call them my emo taillights because they’re wearing black eyeliner.
As far as I know, there’s no difference in functionality; probably just for a more aggressive look on their performance models.
Hello! It just varies depending on the country. Americans have the red-bordered lights, whereas other places, such as Canada (where I am), have the black-bordered lights. I don’t know if this was changed for the 24 models since 23 and before, everyone had black-bordered lights except America.
It looks like the one with the black accents on the taillights is the N-Line model. It’s essentially the track star version of the Elantra.