I suspect this may be the case. I don't have insider information, just speculation and the fact that they tend to announce new model year Elantra GT and a few others like the sedan, and such, earlier than the rest of the lineup which commonly starts model year switchovers in August or so. Buuuuut here's my take on it:
-The US, classically, doesn't care for hatchbacks. And until somewhat recently, the default "car" is a 4 door sedan. They announced the Elantra N-Line (they are retiring the Sport moniker) AND it appears they are making a full-N, so we'll see.
-It kind of competes with another compact 5 door hatchback on the same lot, that can also be equipped similarly and for around the same price... it's called a Kona... and it's very much a volume seller in the US. Even has the same running gear
-It gets nearly zero marketing, and even journalists routinely forget the car exists when running comparisons.
-Powertrain engines were announced, and none of them looked right for the NA market. Particularly the mild-hybrid. Most powerful non-N is 1.5T with 160PS (157ish HP)
-Aftermarket support for these cars suck compared to even the Elantra Sport sedan, and the Veloster. Just not nearly as much out there. I practically had to beg a shop just to fabricate an A-pillar gauge pod.
- It's never been a volume seller in the US. Since North American Hyundai lumps all of it's nameplates together when putting together sales numbers, it's just part of "Elantra" sales in general and we can only guess. But if you look at any given dealership's inventory, they have Elantra, Kona, and Tucson (for example) stacked deep, but then only like.... 10 EGTs... and only one or two of those are even an N-Line, with one being a base model 6-speed and the other being a DCT Ultimate.
- Though we all wish Hyundai would change their mind, they decided that the inaugural N car would be the Veloster, and not the i30, which was designed for European taste anyhow. Interior materials in the EGT here are just a smidge nicer than you find in most of the sub-30K vehicles in their lineup, especially the Veloster.
-Frankly I've had a long day and I've run out of steam, but there were a few other reasons why I believe this to be the case, and my THEORY is that yes, they are dropping the EGT in the US for 2021.
The Kona N is imminent, as well as the 2021 Tucson which appears to have the 2.5T as an engine option. So there's your two "hot hatches". You may have to wait another month or three to see the Kona. Rumor mill says "July" for US release. And I have my fingers and toes crossed that it's their first AWD N car here. So if you like the N-Line that much, go for it. Just keep in mind that if you get the DCT model, the DRY 7DCT in the car has a torque limit around 275lb-ft. So you can modify it and you can definitely crank that little Gamma III engine like nobody's business, but if you want more power than that you'll need to get the 6-speed manual. The new N-DCT is an 8-speed WET DCT similar to VW's DSG. And thus can take a lot more power. Plus you may want the full N experience, not the half-way line.
* I could be wrong and the 2021 could come here
-The US, classically, doesn't care for hatchbacks. And until somewhat recently, the default "car" is a 4 door sedan. They announced the Elantra N-Line (they are retiring the Sport moniker) AND it appears they are making a full-N, so we'll see.
-It kind of competes with another compact 5 door hatchback on the same lot, that can also be equipped similarly and for around the same price... it's called a Kona... and it's very much a volume seller in the US. Even has the same running gear
-It gets nearly zero marketing, and even journalists routinely forget the car exists when running comparisons.
-Powertrain engines were announced, and none of them looked right for the NA market. Particularly the mild-hybrid. Most powerful non-N is 1.5T with 160PS (157ish HP)
-Aftermarket support for these cars suck compared to even the Elantra Sport sedan, and the Veloster. Just not nearly as much out there. I practically had to beg a shop just to fabricate an A-pillar gauge pod.
- It's never been a volume seller in the US. Since North American Hyundai lumps all of it's nameplates together when putting together sales numbers, it's just part of "Elantra" sales in general and we can only guess. But if you look at any given dealership's inventory, they have Elantra, Kona, and Tucson (for example) stacked deep, but then only like.... 10 EGTs... and only one or two of those are even an N-Line, with one being a base model 6-speed and the other being a DCT Ultimate.
- Though we all wish Hyundai would change their mind, they decided that the inaugural N car would be the Veloster, and not the i30, which was designed for European taste anyhow. Interior materials in the EGT here are just a smidge nicer than you find in most of the sub-30K vehicles in their lineup, especially the Veloster.
-Frankly I've had a long day and I've run out of steam, but there were a few other reasons why I believe this to be the case, and my THEORY is that yes, they are dropping the EGT in the US for 2021.
The Kona N is imminent, as well as the 2021 Tucson which appears to have the 2.5T as an engine option. So there's your two "hot hatches". You may have to wait another month or three to see the Kona. Rumor mill says "July" for US release. And I have my fingers and toes crossed that it's their first AWD N car here. So if you like the N-Line that much, go for it. Just keep in mind that if you get the DCT model, the DRY 7DCT in the car has a torque limit around 275lb-ft. So you can modify it and you can definitely crank that little Gamma III engine like nobody's business, but if you want more power than that you'll need to get the 6-speed manual. The new N-DCT is an 8-speed WET DCT similar to VW's DSG. And thus can take a lot more power. Plus you may want the full N experience, not the half-way line.
* I could be wrong and the 2021 could come here