When you’re out there for a generously-sized sedan that’s well-priced and makes a dramatic assertion on the street, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line could possibly be the automotive for you.

The eighth era was first unveiled in early 2019 earlier than touchdown in varied markets around the globe, together with North America. Earlier this 12 months, it grew to become accessible in Australia and has revealed itself to be a really compelling prospect.

Hyundai doesn’t do conservative anymore

Very similar to the i30 Sedan / Elantra that we drove just a few weeks in the past, the newest Sonata makes a dramatic assertion the second you lay eyes on it. Standing out are the angular headlights and LED daytime working lights that stretch up both facet of the aggressively-styled hood. The rear-end, in the meantime, has lobster claw-shaped taillights related with a light-weight bar. In line with some reviews, the appears to be like are too dramatic for Korean patrons, that means a extra conservative facelift could possibly be on the playing cards. Because it stands, nevertheless, I believe it appears to be like fairly good.

Customers within the U.S. have a plethora of various variants to select from. These begin with the SE and proceed with the SEL, SEL Plus, N Line, Restricted, and N Line Night time. It’s a completely totally different story in Australia, nevertheless, the place the only Sonata mannequin accessible is the sporty N Line.

In fact, that’s no dangerous factor. The 2021 Sonata N Line differentiates itself from different variants accessible abroad with extra hanging entrance and rear fascias and 19-inch alloy wheels. Nonetheless, probably the most vital improve is the engine.

Discovered beneath the pores and skin of the Sonata N Line is the automaker’s new Smartstream 2.5-liter turbocharged GDi petrol four-cylinder that’s good for 285 hp (213 kW) and 311 lb-ft (422 Nm. That is the primary mannequin offered in Australia with this new engine. It contains variable separate cooling of the cylinder block and head, an built-in exhaust manifold within the cylinder head, electronically managed repeatedly variable-capacity oil pump, a water-to-air intercooler, and an lively air flap (AAF) for the radiator.

A single gearbox is accessible, particularly Hyundai’s acquainted eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Energy is shipped solely by means of the entrance wheels.

A fiery performer

It shouldn’t come as a shock that this engine is among the stand-out options of the driving expertise. Figures of 285 hp (213 kW) and 311 lb-ft (422 Nm) of torque could not look like all that a lot in an age of premium sedans with nicely over 600 hp. Nonetheless, these figures imply that the Sonata N line has extra energy than Hyundai’s ever-popular i30 N scorching hatch with its 276 hp (206 kW) and 289 lb-ft (392 Nm). Just like the i30 N, the Sonata N Line is front-wheel drive however in contrast to its sibling, it doesn’t have an digital limited-slip differential. Yep, which means the Sonata N Line has an open differential. It’s hardly a shock then that it struggles to place its energy to the bottom.

Quickly after leaping into the driving force’s seat for the very first time, I switched the powertrain into the Sport+ mode and hit the throttle. I used to be anticipating some stable efficiency. What I wasn’t anticipating was for one of many entrance tires to instantly lose traction, leaving a thick black mark on the tarmac behind me. Make no mistake, the Sonata N Line could be fairly the lairy beast.

That is no extra evident while you’re utilizing the launch management perform within the Sport+ setting which disables the traction management. Step on the brake, ground the throttle, proceed to launch the brake and all of these 285 horses will probably be dumped by means of one of many entrance wheels, spinning it by means of the primary two gears with out a second thought. The dearth of an LSD has an analogous impact when you stamp on the throttle slightly too exhausting whereas exiting a nook. Curiously, although, torque steer is much less prevalent than it’s within the i30 N.

Hyundai says it can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds. We didn’t have the prospect to do any timed runs however that sounds about proper – so long as you may get traction, that’s. All of this energy comes at the price of gasoline consumption and whereas Hyundai Australia claims you may get 8.1 l/100 km (29 U.S. mpg) over the mixed cycle, we averaged 11.2 l/100 km (21 U.S. mpg) throughout our week with the automotive, driving it comparatively gently in city areas and alongside inner-city roads.

Consolation is an apparent precedence

In fact, the Sonata N Line hasn’t been developed in the identical efficiency useless because the i30 N and that is notably evident while you drive it in regular mode.

Usually, Hyundai fashions offered in Australia are given a singular suspension tune to go well with native roads. With the brand new Sonata N Line, Hyundai Australia was concerned within the early growth of the mannequin, offering its enter to Hyundai HQ on what can be required to attain the “taste” of a tune developed particularly for the Aussie market. The tune developed abroad was then signed off by Hyundai Australia earlier than gross sales of the Sonata commenced.

This new method to the suspension setup has labored wonders because the Sonata N Line walks a super line between consolation and sportiness. It has been outfitted with monotube dampers and is superbly refined in all driving situations. It might really feel slightly floaty over crests nevertheless it stays taut sufficient to offer you good suggestions.

As with different Hyundai fashions, the automotive’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is an actual deal with. It has good low-speed manners and gives fast and clean adjustments by means of all ratios. It even has the N Energy Shift perform of the i30 N, designed to extend the throttle opening throughout upshifts in Sport and Sport+ driving modes, pushing your head again into the headrest on every gear change. It provides some good drama to the automotive, though we suspect it might go unnoticed by most patrons.

The Sonata N Line additionally handles surprisingly nicely. The aforementioned 19-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in Continental Premium Contact 6 tires which can be 245 mm huge each entrance and rear. Flip-in is sharp and direct and so long as you drive with clean throttle inputs, the shortage of an LSD isn’t of concern. Nonetheless, the automotive does really feel huge.

Stretching 4,900 mm lengthy (192.9 inches), 1,860 mm huge (73.2 inches), and standing 1,445 mm (56.8 inches) tall, the Sonata N Line isn’t considerably bigger than the i30 Sedan / Elantra, which itself is 4,650 mm lengthy (183 inches), 1,825 mm huge (71.8 inches), and 1,430 mm tall (56.2 inches). Nonetheless, the Sonata’s wheelbase sits at 2,840 mm (111.8 inches) in comparison with the two,720 mm (107 inches) of the i30 Sedan / Elantra and when hustled by means of corners, it feels considerably bigger than the specs would recommend. A key cause for that is that it nearly weighs 300 kg (661 lbs) greater than its smaller sibling.

Korean luxurious achieved proper

The inside of the Sonata N Line is a really nice place to take a seat. It comes customary with a collection of SmartSense applied sciences, together with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Help, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Driver Consideration Warning, Ahead Collision-Avoidance Help with Automotive/Pedestrian/Bike owner detection, Excessive Beam Help, Lane Protecting Help, Lane Following Help, Main Car Departure Alert, Rear Cross-Site visitors Collision-Avoidance Help, Sensible Cruise Management with Cease And Go, Secure Exit Help, and a Encompass View Monitor.

Just like the i30 Sedan / Elantra, the cabin of the Sonata is sort of driver-focused with all the main controls, together with the ten.25-inch infotainment display, angled barely in direction of the driving force. Situated simply a few inches away out of your left knee is the shifter.

Hyundai has outfitted the 2021 Sonata N Line with the identical shift-by-wire expertise as different fashions just like the Santa Fe and Palisade. As such, there are particular person buttons for Park, Drive, Impartial, and Reverse quite than a standard shifter. The system is straightforward to make use of when you’re conversant in it and does assist to neaten up the design of the cabin.

Situated immediately in entrance of the driving force’s seat is a glossy four-spoke steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that you just’ll discover in a bunch of different Hyundai fashions. The graphics change relying on what driving mode you’re in and it’s crystal clear throughout daytime with out being overbearing or distracting as soon as the solar units. A pair of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters have additionally been fitted.

Learn Additionally: 2022 Hyundai Sonata N Line Night time Version Arrives With Blackout Appears And Almost $35k Sticker

The motive force’s seat is 12-way power-adjustable and contains 2-way adjustment for lumbar help and 2-way adjustment for the bolsters. The entrance seats are additionally ventilated and heated whereas the outboard rear seats are additionally heated. There may be additionally a heated steering wheel and a very expansive panoramic glass sunroof. The suede and leather-based upholstery adorning the seats is superbly mushy and there are many different soft-touch supplies all through the cabin. A Bose premium audio system with 12-speakers additionally comes as customary.

The rear is especially spacious. The Sonata N Line presents rear-seat passengers 950 mm of headroom (37.4 inches), 1,382 mm of hip room (54.4 inches), 885 mm of legroom (34.8 inches), and 1,425 mm of shoulder room (56.1 inches). It’s well-suited to tall passengers and can be nice for households. Cargo quantity is nice with 510 liters (18 cubic-feet) of house within the trunk.

Australian pricing for the 2021 Sonata N Line begins at AU$50,990 ($37,500) and through my first drive of the automotive, I wasn’t satisfied it was price the additional AU$9,170 ($6,743) over the i30 Sedan N Line Premium that we examined just a few weeks in the past. Nonetheless, after dwelling with it for every week, I can perceive why shoppers could also be tempted to spend that more money.

The larger consolation supplied by the Sonata N Line is considered one of these causes. It doesn’t really feel fairly as sharp because the i30 Sedan N Line, neither is it meant to. Nonetheless, it makes up for this with a extra luxurious and refined really feel. The inside surfaces are additionally a contact nicer and you’re feeling that little extra relaxed whereas behind the wheel.

Picture credit: Brad Anderson/CarScoops