2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line review: Surprisingly sporty

Some automobiles just surprise the hell out of you, and very little in the latest memory has taken me aback really like the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line. What I believed was going to be a good midsize sedan with a minimal more power is actually a adequately sporty automobile.

Authentic quick, a phrase about the letter N. The Sonata N Line just isn’t a whole-bore N, like the Veloster N or approaching Elantra N and Kona N. Instead, consider of this as N-lite, just like the Elantra N Line and the new Kona N Line and Tucson N Line. Received it? Very good.

A practiced eye will rapidly spot the variations amongst the Sonata N Line and its more staid counterparts, however the improvements are definitely subtle. You can find a new grille up front with more substantial air intakes, and the Sonata’s magnificent daytime operating lights remain intact. Close to back, the N Line receives quad exhaust pipes and a redesigned bumper and diffuser. New wheels round out the improvements, and over-all, whilst these updates usually are not key, the N Line seems to be just as superior as any other new Sonata.

The major updates commence underneath the hood, the place the Sonata N Line receives a two.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, the very same a person you can expect to discover in the Genesis G80 and GV80, as properly as the Kia K5 GT and refreshed Stinger. Below, it really is tuned to supply 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Electricity goes to the front wheels by means of an eight-speed twin-clutch automated transmission, which you can expect to also discover in the Veloster N and Elantra N.

The Sonata rips off the line it’ll do a front-drive burnout without the need of even making an attempt. But strong and impressive as the engine is, the sedan’s chassis is the genuine star of the exhibit. The N Line dives into corners, and whilst the suspension retains the Sonata taut and planted in corners, it really is not so stiff that it results in a choppy trip more than damaged pavement.

The steering is direct and communicative, and it really is also good and large, which definitely provides to over-all involvement. Yeah, you can find a ton of torque steer due to the fact of the front-wheel-drive layout, but it really is conveniently managed, and honestly, it just can make me chortle.

In Activity Furthermore mode, the twin-clutch transmission will downshift underneath braking, however you will not automatically will need this aggressive change pattern with how considerably torque is on faucet. In addition to, Activity Furthermore quickly turns off the traction management, which is odd, particularly given that you can find no restricted-slip differential, meaning you can find a great deal of wheel spin whilst cornering if you usually are not watchful. Activity mode retains traction management on and continue to features tremendous-quick shifts. It’s the way to go.

My tester is shod with Hyundai’s optional 245/40-collection Continental High quality Get hold of 6 summer time tires, wrapped around 19-inch wheels. The summer time tire option provides $200 to the Sonata’s bottom line, but it really is dollars properly put in thinking of the more grip these rubbers offer you.

I will say, however, great as the Sonata N Line is on a winding street, it can be a minimal rough around city. It occasionally feels skittish and jumpy, and the brakes are grabby. At minimum the N Line will come typical with a bunch of great driver-support technologies, together with Hyundai’s arms-on Highway Support that facilities the automobile in its lane, navigating around curves and making use of adaptive cruise management to cope with braking and acceleration. It’s not a silky clean cruiser, but if which is your priority, just get the typical Sonata.

The N Line’s EPA-approximated gasoline economic system figures usually are not as well shabby, possibly: 23 miles for every gallon city, 33 mpg highway and 27 mpg mixed. Very good luck obtaining those, however. Travel the Sonata N Line with gusto and you can expect to frequently see numbers in the reduced 20s.

Apart from N Line-certain sport seats, this Sonata’s inside is just like any other. Guaranteed, you can find some pink contrast stitching and some N badges, but which is about it. Thankfully, you can find plenty of room up front, the back seat is roomy and the sixteen cubic feet of trunk room is more than ample.

The N Line receives the Sonata’s most effective infotainment tech, with a snappy multimedia program housed on a 10.two-inch touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile typical. My colleagues like this program for its simplicity of use, but I often discover that easy commands call for more faucets. For case in point, I can not cancel my latest route instantly from the navigation map. I have to dig into the navigation menu to do so. Further more, the icons are little and easy to skip when tapping around the monitor whilst driving. But hey, I can listen to the sounds of nature application that features ambient noise from a snowy working day, a seashore, a rainstorm, a forest and, curiously, an out of doors cafe. So, reward I guess?

There usually are not any option deals for the Sonata N Line, apart from some nicer paint colors and the aforementioned summer time tires. With its Quartz White exterior and improved tires, my tester will come out to $34,655 together with $1,005 for spot. Sure, which is more than $10,000 over the commencing rate of a base Sonata, but this automobile is continue to a incredible worth.

Believe of it this way: The Sonata N Line technically competes with automobiles like the Toyota Camry TRD and turbocharged Honda Accord and Mazda6, but it really is way improved to drive. You happen to be having a automobile which is closer to Acura TLX and BMW three Series levels of satisfaction, and those automobiles expense a complete great deal more. No, the N Line just isn’t fantastic, but it punches way over its body weight and has all of the typical Sonata’s great infotainment and security tech, to boot. This Hyundai might not instantly arrive to brain as a stable sport sedan, but trust me, you need to drive a person. It might surprise you.