Hyundai Motor Company today unveiled more details about the highly anticipated 2021 Sonata N Line, an all-new model that is certain to inject excitement into the midsize sedan segment.
Sonata N Line provides an attractive entry point to Hyundai’s high-performance N Brand, distinguished by N Line-specific design and performance upgrades. Following the launch of the new Sonata and Sonata Hybrid in 2019, the N Line variant completes the sedan’s lineup expansion that caters to a wide variety of customers.
“Hyundai has built a loyal following for Sonata by offering an array of reliable, fuel-efficient and attractively designed models, including the standard, hybrid and ‘Sensuous’ variants. Now, Sonata N Line joins the lineup, satisfying the desire for dynamic performance,” said Bang Sun Jeong, Vice President, Head of Middle East & Africa Operation at Hyundai.
Sensuously sporty styling with signature elements
Based on Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design identity, Sonata N Line’s low and wide exterior styling is highlighted by the Parametric Jewel Pattern Grille, bold front fascia, wide air intakes and N Line badging. Arrow-shaped air curtains on the lower fascia support aerodynamic performance and engine cooling while giving the model a sporty image.
From the side, Sonata N Line’s athletic styling is defined by chiseled body panels that suggest forward momentum. Its side skirts and 19-inch alloy wheels provide an aggressive stance.
The fastback profile merges with a taut sculpted rear, designed to enhance aerodynamic performance and further express the low and wide aesthetic through horizontal lines. The integrated glossy black lip spoiler, chrome dual twin exhaust and N Line rear diffuser add to the car’s performance-inspired styling.
Interior design elements, including a leather-wrapped perforated N steering wheel with metallic spokes, red-stitched Sports Seats with leather bolsters, gearshift with metal accents and leather inserts and alloy pedals, complement Sonata N Line’s sporty exterior.
The sportiest Sonata ever
N Line-specific mechanicals back up the sedan’s sporty appearance. The Smartstream 2.5-liter turbocharged GDi engine, mated with the N 8-speed Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission (N DCT) that was developed for N vehicles, produces 290 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. That makes Sonata N Line the most powerful Sonata ever.
The addition of a turbocharger, a different cylinder head, and unique internals significantly upgraded its performance, compared to the standard Sonata’s 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, or its optional 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.
Sonata N Line has a tremendous amount of low and mid-range torque and the motor pulls strongly all the way to its redline. The N DCT delivers crisp and precise shifts.
In addition, engineers implemented several mechanical improvements to Sonata’s chassis to increase stiffness for a gripping performance. Unique suspension tuning is derived from firmer bushings, higher spring rates, revised shock valving and larger sway bars front and rear—all of which contribute to both everyday commuting drivability as well as excitement on the open road. No compromises on family comfort nor driving fun have to be made for this car.
Sonata N Line has a low curb weight at just 3,838 pounds (1,740 kg). Its turbocharged engine and a well-sorted suspension provide comfortable cruising and agile mid-speed cornering. The motor-driven power steering system is rack-mounted and secured at three locations for reduced flex and more direct handling, especially during fun driving. To bring Sonata N Line to a stop engineers added larger front and rear brake calipers and discs.
A dynamic driving experience is maximized through various features, including rev-match, N Power Shift, launch control, active sound design (ASD) and shifting pattern. Sonata N Line’s smooth and fast downshifting, quick acceleration, engine roar and assertive sense of acceleration are certain to increase the driver’s pulse on the open road.
“Sonata N Line’s turbocharged engine is up to the task of delivering big fun and the new gearbox provides a direct connection and instant shifts,” said Jeong. “To make the Sonata N Line drive sportier, we’ve lowered the car and honed the suspension. We’ve also added a rack-mounted power steering system with a quick ratio to increase responsiveness.”
Driver-oriented features, such as paddle shifters and Drive Mode Selector system, enable a racing-inspired experience behind the wheel. The digital instrument display changes when switched through driving modes, which include Normal, Sport, Sport +, and Custom. In addition to changing the cluster, toggling through them alters the steering weight and the speed and strategy of the transmission’s shifts.
Sonata N Line’s performance is ably assisted by an array of standard driver assistance and safety technologies, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Follow Assist and Advanced Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go. Also available are Highway Driving Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.
A complete package
Sonata N Line comes with a top-of-the-line audio and navigation display. It has a wide, high-definition, customizable, 10.25-inch touchscreen monitor with split screens and natural language, and cloud-based speech recognition powered by Blue Link®, while the cluster supervision display is a full 12.3 inches.
In addition to aforementioned driving mode adjustments, the cluster has four views: utility, driver assistance, navigation and parking assistance.
The navigation system includes a bird’s-eye view in Navigation mode, and drivers get HERE HD Traffic flow and incident data without ever paying for a subscription. Dual Bluetooth support is also available, so two devices can be paired at the same time—one for phone calls and one for streaming audio. The navigation system also comes with three years of Blue Link Multimedia/Map updates.
Sonata N Line also offers Touch Sensor Outside Door Handles, Remote Start, Wireless Device Charging, Bose™ premium audio with 12 speakers and a woofer, and Hyundai Digital Key.
N performance parts are available for those who want to further customize Hyundai N Line models to suit their preference. N performance parts provide a more dynamic driving experience beyond the base model, allowing customers to get more of the N experience.
N Line is a trim upgrade for Hyundai’s base models, given dynamic design and next-level functional features inspired by the high-performance N models. Such characteristics of the N Line make fun driving much more accessible to the wider audience.
