2024 Hyundai Sonata N-Line First Test: Great Gets Greater
The N-Line of Hyundai’s midsize sedan delivers performance and comfort in an attractive package.
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan has been treated to an extensive midcycle refresh that addressed its exterior and interior styling while adding all-wheel drive to some trims. The Sonata’s performance-oriented N-Line trim was also updated up as a result, delivering slightly more aggression while also retaining a comfortable experience for the daily commute.
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We recently spent a couple of fun weeks behind the wheel of the updated Sonata N-Line, putting in plenty of freeway miles, attacking twisty road loops, and plying city streets along the way as we did. We also took it to the track to see how well its performance compares to one of the only other mainstream sport sedans on the market—its Korean Kia K5 GT distant cousin.
Same Dimensions, New Interior
One look at the 2024 Sonata, and you’d think its all-new given how different the exterior and interior are from the 2023 model. Outside, the Hyundai sedan’s new unibrow and hidden headlight design help deliver a more modern and elegant look than before. Inside, everything from the B-pillar forward has been addressed, including the dashboard, infotainment and driver’s displays, A/C controls, and front seats.
We're big fans of the Sonata’s restyled interior, especially the dual-screen setup. Hyundai designers combined the instrument cluster and infotainment displays into one curved panel, giving it the appearance of a single display. It adds up to more than 24 inches of screen, which is almost unheard of in mainstream vehicles, and is punctuated by new graphics and easier-to-navigate menus. The 2024 Sonata now comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well, welcome additions to the already tech-savvy sedan.
The entire center console area of the Sonata has also been rethought. One of the biggest changes was moving the shifter to the steering column to open more space for larger cupholders and cubbies for your belongings. All four USB ports are now Type C, and a wireless charger has been added. There are hard buttons for quicker access to the infotainment system, and the A/C controls have their own digital touchscreen with haptic feedback. One downside: The A/C controls are a bit too low, causing the driver to take eyes off the road for too long when adjusting the fan speed.
N-Line-specific cabin details include red trim that runs across the dashboard and air vents, N badges on the steering wheel and front seats, and red stitching throughout. We wish there were more performance-oriented features, however, such as D-shaped steering wheel.
As far as space goes inside, there's plenty of it, whether you’re sitting in the front or rear seats, and the cargo area has ample room for two large suitcases. While the outgoing model’s cabin was far from shabby, the upgraded Sonata’s interior is a true leap forward—especially for front passengers.
The Heart and Soul
All 2024 Hyundai Sonata N-Line models are propelled by a version of Hyundai’s 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that makes a lively 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Mated to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, the engine’s power is strong, and it put a smile on our face every time we floored it to pass slower-moving vehicles.
A look at the numbers confirms the Sonata N-Line is proper fast for a mainstream midsize sedan. Zero to 60 mph arrived in 5.6 seconds, the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 103.7 mph. Those numbers align closely with our long-term 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI—in fact, the Sonata is a tad faster through the quarter mile. Compared to its cousin, the Kia K5 GT with the exact same powertrain, the Hyundai is 0.2 second slower on the 0–60-mph test, and 0.1 second behind on the quarter mile. Still, all of this makes the Sonata N-Line a fun car to drive on the streets.
Tackling the twisty roads around L.A., the Sonata N-Line showed its abilities not only by providing potent punch on the hill climbs but also by taking on aggressive corners in an easy, well-controlled manner. The transmission doesn’t hesitate to downshift and will happily hold gears when it needs to, especially when Sport mode is engaged.
When the roads aren’t as twisty, the Sonata still delivers a plush ride that keeps the cabin mostly free of vibrations, even when the pavement isn’t as smooth. In Normal mode, its steering delivers a soft but precise feel, and the cabin is quiet even when going at high speeds on the freeway. For the daily commute and in stop-and-go traffic, we found the Sonata N-Line comfortable and quiet.
Two things missing from the Sonata N-Line would make it a better limit-handling spor sedan. The first is a limited-slip differential. Coming off the corner of our figure-eight test, the Sonata would easily spin the unweighted front tire given all its low-end torque. The other option we’d like to see made available is a set of proper summer tires, as they’d be able to provide more grip at the track than its standard all-season rubber.
If the N-Line is too much for you, worry not. The 2024 Sonata is also available with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine or as a hybrid. And although the N-Line is only available with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is available for the non-turbo 2.5-liter engine.
Pushing Hard
For an as-tested price of $36,310, the N-Line provides enough thrills for both fun canyon drives and comfort for all commutes, making it an accessible and attractive option for a broad range of buyers. As a quick comparison, the top-spec 2024 Kia K5 GT rings in at $37,345, though you’re going to have to wait until the arrival of the new 2025 K5 model for the latest and greatest sedan from Kia.
We’re happy to see Hyundai continuing to offer more performance and vehicle dynamics for models like the Sonata. In an era when crossovers dominate the market, Hyundai is still betting on sedans, and the 2024 Sonata N-Line delivers a fun driving experience while maximizing comfort and convenience.
Miguel Cortina is Mexico Editor at MotorTrend, covering the auto industry in the U.S. and south of the border. He joined MotorTrend in January 2015 and is an avid automotive enthusiast who enjoys playing golf, surfing, and running in his free time.
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