The 2024 Hyundai Sonata has undergone a major mid-life facelift, and despite growing sales pressure from SUV and CUV models, the company has retained the Sonata, much to the surprise of some observers. This facelift brings a plethora of interior and exterior updates, and Hyundai even adds more dynamism to the N-Line. But is the performance appeal of the N-Line good enough to make it stand out in a segment that is still shrinking and cannibalized by SUVs and CUVs?
Sonata's futuristic lines will attract many eyes
The front face of the 2024 Sonata will be the first thing many observers notice when they see the 2024 model. Modern designers incorporated some of Kona's DNA into this makeover, and the car was equipped with bumper-mounted headlights and a thin light bar that stretched from one side of the car to the other. The N-Line models we tested also feature a redesigned front bumper with a larger opening to allow more air into the engine compartment.
The side profile is also more aggressive, with the Sonata ditching some of its old bubble shapes in favour of a sharper silhouette, with prominent design lines in the upper part of the doors that extend from the front to the rear. The taillights have been refreshed, the rear bumper has been tweaked, and the N-Line model also features model-specific trims, including four exhaust pipes. While the N-Line isn't the official N model that some buyers think they'll see, it still looks a lot like the official N model, and this extra dynamism may appeal to some buyers who want a little more personality when buying a sedan.
N-Line 内饰让索纳塔更具性价比
Unlike the previous generation of the Sonata N-Line, modern designers have put more effort into the interior, which is evident in the details. The front sports seats are more supportive, with fabric and leather upholstery on the seat backs to help keep passengers seated during intense corners. The infotainment system and digital instrument cluster screens are integrated into a curved panel, giving the illusion that they are now a large piece of glass.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, and these new additions eliminate a glaring weakness in Sonata's technology. In addition to improving the technology, Hyundai has enhanced the interior space by moving the gear lever from the center console to the steering wheel. This helps to open up space in the center console and also allows for the installation of larger cup holders. The design of the steering wheel is more aggressive, but we hope that Hyundai will go all out and make a completely flat-bottomed steering wheel instead of the strange compromises they choose to use.
The Sonata has decent space, with plenty of legroom and headroom for front passengers. There's also plenty of room for second-row passengers to stretch out, although the sloping roofline does take up some headroom for taller passengers. The trunk space is also comparable to that of its class, and our test car can accommodate a lot of groceries and some luggage.
The powerful engine makes the Sonata N-Line a great driving experience
The performance of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the only one here, but it's the pair of transmissions that works wonders in the Sonata, and our testers proved that driving it was fun, especially when you consider that the Sonata isn't an official performance car by any means.
Our test car accelerated to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and driving the Sonata on the highway was a lot of fun, with the engine providing enough torque to help through slower traffic. The data on the Sonata N-Line also puts it on par with the Hyundai, not only on par with the Volkswagen GLI, but also with its platform partner, the K5 GT, which uses the same powertrain setup as the Sonata. The handling of our test car was also impressive, and the car performed well in tight corners.
That being said, we wanted the car to have a limited-slip differential to help improve power distribution when cornering, and that Hyundai offered summer tires as an option to help the car reach its full grip potential, as all-season tires can only achieve this on their own.
Value quotient
The 2024 Sonata N-Line starts at $34,950, but while you might think that the N-Line is the flagship in the Sonata lineup, that's not the case. The accolade belongs to the limited-edition hybrid model, which starts at more than $37,000 and can exceed $40,000 if the full set is optional. This unique pricing point makes the N-Line an attractive performance value model, which should delight buyers who would otherwise have to buy a higher-spec competitor sedan to reap some of the performance benefits that a modern car brings.
So, if you're a weekend warrior and want a performance product that reflects the capabilities of a full-featured N model, but still needs enough utility and value to help your wife and kids understand your performance needs, then the 2024 Hyundai Sonata N-Line deserves serious consideration.