Yahoo Autos 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line First Drive Review | Pragmatism meets performance
When the current Sonata was introduced, Hyundai designer Haksoo Ha promised that it would "… excite people who are looking for a sedan.” Apart from product planners, we don't know many people who are genuinely excited by a mainstream midsize sedan, and perhaps that’s why decision was made to diverge from the mainstream with the 290-horsepower 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line.
Yes, the “N” brand makes its way to Hyundai’s four-door for 2021. Hyundai started rolling out N in the United States with the Veloster. The N version of that offers a ton of punch, but it’s an enthusiast model, and that means there are corresponding compromises in comfort. That’s the point of N: performance first. But the Sonata N Line isn’t that. This is an N Line model after all, not a full-blown N. Like BMW M or Mercedes-Benz AMG, Hyundai’s “N” brand is meant to be the pinnacle of performance for the models that bear it. “N Line,” much like “M Sport,” means you’re only getting part of the way there.
That’s not to say that the 2021 Sonata N Line is incomplete. Far from it. At $34,305 (including $1,005 for destination), this is a reasonably priced package that does exactly what Hyundai promises, no more and no less. In fact, the N Line offers most of the range-topping Sonata Limited’s equipment despite coming in $600 cheaper. And like the Limited, the N Line has no available packages. There are a few smaller accessories and add-ons (including the $200 summer tires, though our tester had the standard all-seasons), but in broader terms, what you see is what you get.
Notably, the N Line gets requisite badges in a few strategic locations plus unique seats with a little more bolstering finished in a combination of leather and faux suede. A few of the Limited's luxury interior items are missing, such as ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and Hyundai’s surround-view camera, but the N Line makes up for that with a sport-tuned suspension, unique wheels, and, well, 110 additional horsepower.
The N Line’s 2.5-liter turbocharged engine offers 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed dual-wet-clutch automatic, along with rev-matching and launch control. Chassis upgrades include larger brake rotors and upgraded pads, stiffer engine and transmission mounts, retuned dampers and bushings and higher spring rates.
