Borla ATAK Cat-Back Review: 2022-2026 Hyundai Elantra N

The Borla ATAK cat-back exhaust for the 2022-2026 Hyundai Elantra N is Borla's most aggressive sound package for Hyundai's 276-horsepower hot sedan, and at $1,799.99 it sits at the top of the Elantra N exhaust market. In our Tampa, FL shop the Elantra N (chassis code CN7) has become one of the most-modded compact performance cars we see, and a cat-back is almost always the first upgrade owners ask for. This review breaks down how the Borla ATAK sounds, how it is built, and how it stacks up against four rival systems from AWE Tuning, MBRP, and aFe — so you can match the right exhaust to your driving.

Why the Elantra N Begs for a Cat-Back Exhaust

A cat-back exhaust is the single most popular first mod for the Elantra N because it unlocks the sound the factory muffler holds back. The 2022-2026 Elantra N runs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four making 276 hp at 5,500-6,000 rpm and 289 lb-ft of torque, rising to 286 hp for about 20 seconds when you trigger N Grin Shift overboost on the 8-speed wet dual-clutch cars. Even the base 2022 Elantra N stickered at $32,925, so it is a serious performance bargain — and the one thing owners consistently want more of is exhaust volume and character.

From the factory, the Elantra N ships with an electronically controlled active exhaust valve that opens in Sport and N modes and stays muted in Eco and Normal. A quality cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converter back — the mid-pipe, resonator, muffler, and tips — with larger-diameter, mandrel-bent stainless tubing. The result is a deeper, louder tone, a lighter rear section, and on a turbocharged engine, freer flow that helps the turbo spool and breathe. Peak power gains from a cat-back alone on a turbo car are typically modest (in the low single digits), so the real payoff here is sound, throttle response, and looks.

Borla ATAK Cat-Back Review: Sound, Build & Fitment

The Borla ATAK is the loudest of Borla's three sound tiers and the most aggressive cat-back you can bolt to an Elantra N. ATAK stands for Acoustically-Tuned Applied Kinetics — Borla's patented chamber tuning that maximizes volume and high-rpm rasp while controlling the worst of the frequencies that cause interior drone. Compared with Borla's milder S-Type, the ATAK is noticeably louder at wide-open throttle and has a harder, more race-bred edge. It is built from T-304 stainless steel (more corrosion-resistant than the T-409 many budget systems use), runs 3-inch mandrel-bent piping, and is backed by Borla's Million-Mile Warranty. This black-chrome-tip version carries part number bor140925BC and lists a 2022-2023 Elantra N 2.0L Turbo fitment.

How the Borla ATAK Compares: 4 Rival Elantra N Exhausts

The Borla ATAK is the loudest, but it is not the only strong choice for the Elantra N. If you want adjustable volume, the valved AWE SwitchPath is the standout; if you want the best value, MBRP and aFe undercut the Borla by hundreds of dollars. Here is how the five systems we stock compare on type, tips, sound character, and price.

AWE Tuning SwitchPath Cat-Back — Best for Daily Drivers

The AWE SwitchPath is the exhaust to buy if you want it both ways: near-stock quiet on the commute and full track volume on demand. Its added valve is controlled independently of the car — open it for maximum sound or close it to keep the peace in your neighborhood at 6 a.m. It uses 3-inch T304 stainless, Diamond Black tips, fits every 2022-2026 model year, and is covered by AWE's lifetime warranty. At around $1,745 it is our top recommendation for owners who drive the Elantra N every day.

MBRP T304 Cat-Back — Best Value with Carbon Tips

The MBRP cat-back is the value pick, undercutting the Borla by roughly $300 while still using T304 stainless and adding dual 5-inch carbon-fiber tips for a factory-plus look. It is a 3-inch dual-outlet design with an aggressive but livable tone, and MBRP backs its T304 systems with a lifetime warranty. If you want most of the sound and presence for less money, this is the one.

AWE Track Edition Cat-Back — Fixed, Loud & Straightforward

The AWE Track Edition is the SwitchPath's simpler sibling: no adjustable valve, just one aggressive, always-on volume. It is the loud, no-compromise pick for track-day drivers who never want quiet mode. You still get AWE's 3-inch T304 build, Diamond Black tips, 2022-2026 fitment, and the AWE Lifetime Warranty — at $1,345 it is the most affordable AWE cat-back for the car.

aFe Takeda Axle-Back — Budget Sound Upgrade

The aFe Takeda is an axle-back, not a full cat-back — it replaces only the rear muffler section, so it is the easiest and cheapest way to wake up the Elantra N's exhaust note. You get 3-inch 304 stainless construction and black tips for $1,268. It is the mildest of the group on volume, which makes it a smart choice for owners who want a better tone without the full cat-back price or drone.

Cat-Back vs Axle-Back: Which Elantra N Exhaust Do You Need?

A cat-back replaces everything behind the catalytic converter (mid-pipe, resonator, muffler, and tips), while an axle-back replaces only the rearmost muffler-and-tip section behind the rear axle. On the Elantra N, that means a cat-back like the Borla ATAK or AWE SwitchPath delivers the biggest jump in volume, flow, and tone, while the aFe Takeda axle-back is a simpler, quieter, cheaper way to improve the note. If your priority is maximum sound and the freest-flowing setup, buy a cat-back. If you want a subtle upgrade on a budget with the easiest install, an axle-back is the move.

Sound, Drone & Power: What to Expect

Expect a dramatic sound change and a modest power change from any of these systems. On a stock-turbo Elantra N, a cat-back typically adds only a few peak horsepower — the turbocharger already scavenges most of the exhaust energy — but it improves exhaust flow, throttle response, and turbo spool while transforming the character of the 2.0T. The louder fixed systems (Borla ATAK, AWE Track Edition) produce the most volume and the sharpest pops and crackles on overrun, but they can drone at steady 70-75 mph cruising rpm. The valved AWE SwitchPath sidesteps drone entirely: close the valve and it is close to stock quiet. All five keep the factory catalytic converter, so they are far cleaner and quieter than a downpipe or catless setup.

Want real power to go with the noise? Pair any of these exhausts with an ECU tune. The Elantra N responds strongly to tuning, and a cat-back's improved flow lets a tune realize more of its potential. Sound comes from the exhaust; the big horsepower comes from the tune plus supporting bolt-ons like an intake and intercooler.

Installation & Fitment Notes

All five systems are direct bolt-on fitments that reuse the factory hangers and mounting points — no cutting or welding required. Most Elantra N owners with basic hand tools, a jack, and stands can install a cat-back in roughly two to three hours; an axle-back is quicker, often under an hour. Each system is engineered to retain the car's factory active-exhaust valve so your N drive modes continue to modulate sound as designed (the AWE SwitchPath adds its own separate, independently controlled valve on top of that). Confirm your exact model year at checkout: the Borla, MBRP, and aFe are listed for 2022-2023, while both AWE systems cover the full 2022-2026 run. If you have questions on fitment for your Elantra N, our Tampa, FL team can confirm the right part number before you order.