The 2024 Hyundai Sonata received a major mid-cycle refresh as the company surprised some observers by keeping the Sonata around even as it faced growing sales pressure from SUV and CUV models. This refresh brought plenty of updates inside and out and Hyundai even added more zest to the N-Line. But is the N-Line’s performance charms enough to allow it to stand out in a segment that’s still shrinking and losing ground to SUVs and CUVs?
Sonata’s futuristic lines will draw plenty of stares
The front fascia of the 2024 Sonata will be the first thing that many observers will notice when they look at the 2024 model. Hyundai designers channeled some of the Kona’s DNA into this makeover with the car getting bumper-mounted headlights and a thin light bar that runs from one side of the car to the other. N-Line models lie our tester also get a reworked front bumper with a large opening to allow more air to enter the engine bay.
The side profile is also more aggressive and the Sonata ditches some of its old bubble look for a crisper profile with a prominent design line in the upper part of the doors moving from the front to the rear of the car. The taillights get refreshed and the rear bumper also gets tweaked wit N-Line models also getting model-exclusive touches including quad-exhaust tips. While the N-Line is not the formal N model that perhaps some buyers thought they were going to see, it still does a good job looking like one and this extra amount of vigor might appeal to some buyers looking for more flair in their sedan purchase.
N-Line interior delivers more Sonata value for the money
Unlike the last Sonata N-Line, Hyundai designers put more effort into the interior and it shows when you look at the finer details. The front sport seats have more aggressive bolstering and the seat backs get a fabric-like material mixed in with the leather upholstery that helps keep occupants firmly in place when going through spirited cornering. The infotainment and digital instrument cluster screens have been combined into one curved panel which gives the illusion that they are now one large pane of glass.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard with these additions removing a glaring weakness in the Sonata’s tech game. In addition to the improved technology, Hyundai also enhanced interior space by moving the shifter from the center console to the steering wheel. This helped open up space in the center console and also allowed for larger cupholders to be installed too. The Steering wheel gets a more aggressive design, but we wish Hyundai would’ve went all in and made a fully flat-bottomed steering wheel instead of the odd-looking compromise that they chose to use.
Room in the Sonata is good with front passengers getting good amounts of leg and headroom. Second-row passengers also have plenty of room to stretch out though the sloping roof line does eat some of the headroom for taller passengers. Trunk space is also on par with the segment, with our tester being able to fit large amounts of groceries and some luggage to boot.
Punchy engine makes Sonata N-Line a blast to drive
Performance for the 2024 Hyundai SOnata comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is the lone transmission here but the pair work wonders in the Sonata with our tester proving to be fun to drive especially when you consider that the Sonata is not a formal performance vehicle by any stretch of the imagination.
Our tester managed to make the sprint to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and it was fun driving the Sonata on the freeway with the engine delivering enough torque to help with passing slower traffic. The Sonata N-Line’s numbers also put it in some very enviable company with the Hyundai being on par not only with the Volkswagen GLI but also its platform-mate the K5 GT which gets the same powertrain setup as the Sonata. Handling in our tester also proved to be impressive with the car eagerly taking on sharp corners.
That said, we wish the car had a limited-slip differential to help improve power distribution in turns and it would be nice to see Hyundai offer summer tires as an option to help the car explore the full potential of its gripping abilities since there’s only so much that the all-season tires are capable of achieving on their own.
Value Quotient
Pricing for 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, it’s not. That honor goes to the Limited Hybrid model which starts at over $37,000 and can go over $40,000 if fully optioned out. This unique pricing spot makes the N-Line an attractive performance bargain and that should please buyers that would otherwise have to go to a higher trim level in a rival sedan to achieve some of the performance benefits that the Hyundai brings to the table.
So if you’re a weekend warrior who wants a performance offering that can mirror the abilities of a full-on N model but still need enough practicality and value to help the wife and the kids understand your performance desires, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata N-Line is worth a serious look.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.