Hyundai continues to impress me with their lineup of vehicles. The 2021 Sonata N Line is the most powerful Sonata they have produced in terms of horsepower. The handling and driving dynamics for a midsize sedan makes this car a leader in its class. The highlights for me range from the overall drive experience to the amazing interior with super cool ambient lighting. Hyundai includes a lot of extras for this vehicle and you would expect to pay a lot more than the MSRP.
Exterior
The Sonata is a good looking car and the Special N Line badging enhances the sporty appeal of the Charcoal Gray exterior paint. The grille is large and blacked out and front he front the LED headlights blend into the hood to give it a sporty yet classy look. The N line has a unique front a rear fascia and when you add the 19-inch alloy wheels and dual twin exhausts into the equation you have an exterior design that is one of the most compelling in its class.
Interior
The first thing I noticed when opening the doors was the ambient lighting and the roomy interior. The Nappa leather sport-bolstered, heated front seats feature suede inserts with N line badging are well designed and comfortable. The steering wheel is leather wrapped and shift knob are specifically designed for the N line. The aluminum pedals offer a nice contrast and ad to the sporty look and feel. The panoramic sunroof is huge and allows for an amazing view of the sky.
Passengers will be comfortable and especially in Arizona as the rear passengers have their own AC and USB ports along with a drop down console and cupholders. There is plenty of space in the rear as far as leg room and head room.
A 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen is at the center of the interior technology of the Sonata. The graphics are amazing and the system has a high-resolution backup camera with gridlines. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and HD radio are standard. I really loved the crisp and clear sounding Bose 12-speaker premium audio system.
Drive Experience
The first thing I noticed driving the N Line was the handling and sportier nature of this trim compared to other trims in the Sonata lineup. The acceleration was way better as well and the steering felt tighter and more responsive. For Sonata drivers that want more power and sports car features the N Line will certainly please their pallet.
Engine / Powertrain
The N Line offers quite a bit more power than the Sonata’s other trims. Based on the brand’s 2.5-L turbo four-cylinder engine, the N Line gets an added turbocharger, different cylinder head, and unique internals. Those upgrades deliver 290-horsepower@5800 RPM and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. To gain some perspective on the huge increase in horsepower, the standard model offers either 191 or 180-hp. The engine is coupled to a new, fast shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. Fuel economy is 27 mpg combined with 23 city MPG and 33 Highway MPG.
Safety
The N Line Sonata is equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense driver’s assistance suite. It includes standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, High Beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Occupant Warning (ROA) door logic, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Safety Exit Warning.
The Sonata’s vehicle also has an auto-shut off function to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Conclusion
Starting at MSRP $33,300 for the N Line, this is a hard bargain to ignore. This mid size sedan with the new N Line trim allows for the driver to have the best of both worlds with sport functionality while maintaining the benefits of a roomy 4 door sedan. Hyundai nails it again and with a 5 year/60,00/mile new vehicle limited warranty plus 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty makes this an extreme value for the price.
Visit the following link to compare Sonata Trims and specs
