With the well-received success from the performance-oriented N-Line Veloster, it would only make sense to port the good engineering to Hyundai’s higher end compact 4-door sedan. The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line gets a turbocharged 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that’s good enough to produce a respectable 290 horsepower and 311 lb.ft of torque. That’s 99 horsepower more than the naturally aspirated 2.5L 4-cylinder Sonata has to offer. An upgraded 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission completes the performance-enhanced powertrain.
Powertrain alone doesn’t tell the whole story. The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line is fitted with a thicker anti-rollbar, firmer suspension dampers, and reinforced brackets for its suspension system to reduce overall chassis flex. Braking is also improved with larger 13.6” front and 12.8” brake rotors.
Coupled with its existing premium qualities and handsome looks, that puts the 2021 Sonata N-Line on or above par with the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry TRD and the Honda Accord.
The Sonata N-line adds a few tweaks to its interior namely the leather wrapped suede seats, an N-Line badge on the steering wheel and red stitching throughout the front panels and sport seats. The Sonata carries over many of its premium quality and tech features to the N-Line including a dual analog speedometer and tachometer cluster, a large 10.3” infotainment touchscreen display, BOSE premium audio surround system, and a panoramic sunroof. Hyundai also features a “digital key” that can turn your smartphone into a key fob – essentially replacing it. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will also be supported with its integrated infotainment system.
Other than the N-Line badging on the front grille and side, the exterior features remain subtle with minimal cosmetic enhancements made to the N-Line. the front halogen and LED headlamp combo, hexagonal front grille and snazzy 5-split spoke 19” wheels are all visual appeals that entice a sense of both luxury and performance.
Given our previous experience with the standard Hyundai Sonata, the added horsepower from the turbocharged 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is immediately apparent and the swift gear shifts from the 8-speed dual clutch transmission is fun and engaging especially in manual sequential shift mode via its steering mounted paddle shifters. The Hyundai Sonata also features an integrated launch-control program that automatically manages acceleration and gear shifts to achieve the best-possible 0-60 time drag time.
Despite its stiff-tuned suspensions, the 2021 Sonata N-Line does well in both cornering and handling while retaining room for absorbing road chatter in both city and highway driving. There’s still the occasional torque steer under hard acceleration, but that’s generally the case for a front-wheel drive configuration under high acceleration loads.
It’s exciting to see Hyundai transfer over and share its performance ingenuity from the once-exclusive 5-door Veloster to the more practical and luxurious compact sedan. While the improved performance metrics are felt, we certainly would like to see Hyundai incorporate an all-wheel-drive configuration for the Sonata N-Line to address torque-steer issues while improving traction control.
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line includes all the features and can be had for $38,000. Hyundai is also promising to also add both an N-Line and the more powerful N series to the Elantra as well as three of its cross-over SUV’s in the lineup.
