If you buy a large-size car that is reasonably priced and is eye-catching on the road in the market, then the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line may be your best choice.

The eighth generation debuted in early 2019, and then landed in various markets around the world, including North America. Earlier this year, it went public in Australia and showed a very compelling prospect.

Modern is no longer conservative

Just like the i30 Sedan / Elantra we drove a few weeks ago, the latest Sonata made a dramatic statement the moment you saw it. What stands out are the angular headlights and LED daytime running lights, which extend to both sides of the aggressively styled hood. At the same time, there is a lobster claw taillight at the tail, which is connected to the light bar. According to some reports, the appearance is too eye-catching for South Korean buyers, which means that a more conservative facelift may be carried out. However, for now, I think it looks good.

American shoppers have many different styles to choose from. These start with SE, then SEL, SEL Plus, N Line, Limited and N Line Night. However, in Australia, the situation is completely different, and the only sonata model available is the sporty N Line.

Of course, this is not a bad thing. The difference between the 2021 Sonata N Line and other overseas models is the more eye-catching front and rear trim panels and 19-inch alloy wheels. However, the most important upgrade is the engine.

Discovered under the skin of the Sonata N Line is the automaker’s new Smartstream 2.5-liter turbocharged GDi gasoline four-cylinder engine with a power of 285 horsepower (213 kilowatts) and 311 pound-feet (422 Nm). This is the first model sold in Australia. This new engine includes variable independent cooling of the cylinder block and cylinder head, an integrated exhaust manifold in the cylinder head, an electronically controlled continuously variable capacity oil pump, and a water-to-air intercooler. And active damper (AAF) for the radiator.

A single gearbox can be used, the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox familiar to modern times. Power is only transmitted through the front wheels.

This engine is one of the outstanding features of the driving experience, which is not surprising. In the era of premium cars with more than 600 horsepower, 285 horsepower (213 kilowatts) and 311 pound-feet (422 Nm) of torque numbers do not seem so important. However, these numbers mean that the Sonata N series has more power than Hyundai's popular i30 N thermal cabin, with 276 horsepower (206 kW) and 289 pound-feet (392 Nm). Like the i30 N, the Sonata N Line is front-wheel drive, but unlike its sibling, it does not have an electronic limited slip differential. Yes, this means that the Sonata N Line has an open differential. Therefore, it is not surprising that it strives to put its power into practice.

Soon after jumping into the driver's seat for the first time, I switched the power system to Sport mode and stepped on the accelerator. I look forward to some stable performance. What I didn't expect was that one of the front tires immediately lost traction, leaving a thick black mark on the tarmac behind me. There is no doubt that Sonata N Line can be said to be a very cunning beast.

This is no longer obvious when you disable traction control using the start control function in the Sport settings. Step on the brakes, step on the accelerator, and continue to release the brakes. All the 285 horses will fall through one front wheel and rotate through the first two gears without hesitation. If you press the accelerator hard when leaving the corner, the lack of LSD will have a similar effect. However, it is interesting that torque steering is not as common as the i30 N.

Hyundai said it will reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds. We don't have the opportunity to do any regular running, but it sounds right-as long as you can gain traction, that's it. All of this power comes at the cost of fuel consumption. Although Hyundai Australia claims that you can get 8.1 liters/100 kilometers (29 US miles per gallon) in a combined cycle, we averaged 11.2 liters/100 kilometers (21 US miles per gallon) in a week ) Cars drive relatively mildly on urban and downtown roads.

Comfort is an obvious priority

Of course, the Sonata N Line is not as futile in performance as the i30 N, which is especially noticeable when you drive it in normal mode.

Generally, modern models sold in Australia have unique suspension adjustments to adapt to local roads. With the new Sonata N Line, Hyundai Australia participated in the early development of the model, providing Hyundai headquarters with the investment needed to realize the "flavor" of tunes developed specifically for the Australian market. Before the sonata went on sale, Hyundai Australia signed a tune developed overseas.

This new suspension setting method has created a miracle, because the Sonata N Line has embarked on an ideal path between comfort and sportiness. It is equipped with a single tube damper, which is very refined in all driving conditions. It may feel a bit floating on the crest, but it is still tight enough to provide you with good feedback.

Like other modern models, this car's eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is a real treat. It has a good low speed method and provides fast and smooth changes through all ratios. It even has the i30 N's N power shift function, designed to increase the throttle opening during upshifts in sport and sport driving modes, pushing your head back into the headrest each time you shift gears. It adds some wonderful drama to the car, although we suspect that most buyers might ignore it.

The handling of Sonata N Line is also surprisingly good. The aforementioned 19-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in Continental Premium Contact 6 tires with a width of 245 mm front and rear. Turning into corners is sharp and straightforward. As long as you drive with steady throttle input, you don’t have to worry about the lack of LSD. However, this car does feel very big.

Sonata N Line is 4,900 mm (192.9 inches) long, 1,860 mm (73.2 inches) wide, and 1,445 mm (56.8 inches) high. It is not larger than the i30 sedan/Elantra, which itself is 4,650 mm (183 inches) long and 1,825 mm wide ( 71.8 inches) and 1,430 mm high (56.2 inches). However, the Sonata has a wheelbase of 2,840 mm (111.8 inches), and the i30 sedan/Elantra has a wheelbase of 2,720 mm (107 inches), which feels much larger than the specifications suggest when cornering in a hurry. A key reason for this is that it is almost 300 kg (661 lb) heavier than its smaller sibling.

The interior of the Sonata N Line is a very pleasant sitting posture. It comes standard with a set of SmartSense technology, including blind spot collision avoidance assist, blind spot view monitor, driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance assist with car/pedestrian/bicycle detection, high beam assist, lane keeping assist, lane following Assist, leading vehicle departure warning, rear intersection collision avoidance assist, intelligent cruise control with stop-and-go function, safety exit assist and surround view monitor.

Like i30 Sedan / Elantra, Sonata’s cab is very driver-centric, and all major controls, including the 10.25-inch infotainment screen, are slightly tilted towards the driver. The shifter is located just a few inches from the left knee.

Hyundai equips the 2021 Sonata N Line with the same shift-by-wire technology as other models such as Santa Fe and Palisade. Therefore, there are separate buttons for parking, driving, neutral and reverse, instead of traditional shifters. Once you are familiar with the system, it is easy to use and helps to make the cabin design more tidy.

Directly in front of the driver’s seat is a stylish four-spoke steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, which you can find in many other modern models. The graphics will change according to the driving mode you are in, and are very clear during the day, once the sun goes down, it will not be overbearing or distracting. A pair of paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel are also installed.

Also read: Hyundai Sonata N Line Night Edition will be launched in 2022 with a blackout look and nearly $35,000 stickers

The driver’s seat can be adjusted electrically in 12 directions, including 2-way adjustment for lumbar support and 2-way adjustment for pillow cushions. The front seats also have ventilation and heating functions, while the outer rear seats also have heating functions. There is also a heated steering wheel and a particularly spacious panoramic glass sunroof. The suede and leather upholstery decorating the seats are very soft, and there are many other soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers is also standard.

The back row is particularly spacious. Sonata N Line provides rear-seat passengers with 950 mm of headroom (37.4 inches), 1,382 mm of hip space (54.4 inches), 885 mm of legroom (34.8 inches), and 1,425 mm of shoulder room (56.1 inches) . It is very suitable for tall passengers and very suitable for families. The luggage compartment has 510 liters (18 cubic feet) of space and the cargo capacity is good.

The starting price of Sonata N Line in Australia in 2021 is 50,990 AUD (37,500 USD). When I drove this car for the first time, I didn’t believe it was worth 9,170 AUD (6,743 USD) more than the i30 Sedan N Line Premium we tested. A week ago. However, after enduring it for a week, I can understand why consumers might be willing to spend this extra money.

The greater comfort provided by the Sonata N Line is one of these reasons. It doesn't feel as sharp as the i30 Sedan N Line, nor is it intentional. However, it makes up for this with a more luxurious and refined feel. The inner surface also feels better to the touch, and you will feel more relaxed when driving.

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