While we know it’s a world of SUV’s and crossovers, there’s still lots of people that still like the traditional 4-door sedan. That’s why there’s an all-new Camry and an all-new Accord. Toyota and Honda knows there’s still gold in them there hills. But we have noticed that both of those models are now designed with frugal economy in mind, over good old-fashioned fun.
That’s why we’re excited to be testing the 2024 Hyundai Sonata. Not only has it gotten a refresh inside and out to keep it current, but it also hasn’t forgotten the enthusiast, and offers a tasty 290-horsepower N Line sedan. That’s worthy of a test drive in our opinion!
Hello Fresh Face
Hyundai has given their big sedan a new look for 2024, and it’s a handsome re-do.
Hyundai calls the new design language “Sensuous Sportiness”, and we’d agree. Up front, it reminds us of the Kona, with a signature Seamless Horizon Lamp that spans the hood and fenders, with wide-set hidden headlights that look sleek and aggressive. The H badge has moved up off the grille to the hood, while the grille itself is larger and has an especially sporty look on our N Line tester.
The profile remains familiar, with sharp-creased shoulder lines and a steeply raked C pillar giving off a coupe like vibe. Another reason to consider the N Line are the unique 19-inch throwing-star style wheels that give some real presence.
Like the front, the rear view gets a cleaner, more seamless look, with H-lights and a horizonal LED line that spans the width of the body, settled nicely below the N Lines sporty rear spoiler. The rear lower fascia on the N Line is especially powerful thanks to oversize dual twin pipe exhausts. Finishing off the classy looks were our tester’s Transmission Blue Pearl color scheme.
Upscale Interior
Like the exterior, the Sonata’s gets a handsome major redo.
Open the door and you see a sleek horizontal interior that Hyundai calls a “floating” theme. The biggest bits of eye candy are the dual 12.3 screens that create a single, curved display that’s handsome and modern. The gauge display is crisp and clean, and changes with driver mode, while the info-tainment touchscreen is easy to use, and features tablet like swipe motions to let you access multiple pages. And Hyundai also includes dedicated volume and tuning knobs as well. Yay.
There’s a new 3-spoke steering wheel design replacing the previous horizontal “H” design one, and the pushbutton automatic transmission (that we never really liked) has been replaced by a stalk that protrudes from the steering column. While that does free up storage space on the center console, we still miss a traditional shift lever!
Adding to the handsome looks are the N Lines unique sport seats with microfiber inserts that feel as good as they look, while red-accent stitching, and cross-metal patterned trim add to the sporty vibe. The rear seats are adult friendly, and the trunk is spacious. You can also fold down the rear seats and with a generous pass-through you have great flexibility for larger items.
Turbo Power
We noted that the Camry and Accord have stepped away from a true performance model, but with the N Line, Hyundai makes sure you still have enthusiast-grade equipment. The turbo 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder N Line boasts impressive numbers, starting with 290 horsepower and a mountainous 311 lb.-ft of torque at just 1,650 rpm. And there’s no joy-sapping CVT here, you get a performance-loving 8-speed, dual clutch auto transmission that really snaps off the shifts.
Big power doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency, and the N Line chimes in with 27 combined EPA mpg – impressive for a powerful turbo sedan.
That’s plenty of power for a front wheel drive car, but the Sonata keeps it under control, and 0-60 mph comes up in a very quick 5 seconds. It’s a throaty sounding 4-cylinder, that sounds especially potent when you start it up on a cold morning, and the dual exhaust makes you smile as you blip the throttle.
Handling is good, too, though the firm ride might be a little too stiff in areas with cratered roads. Here in So Cal, those big 19-inch tires give plenty of grip, and the beefy feel to the steering gives precision and confidence at the wheel. Helping the athletic vibe, the N Line features unique rack-mounted motor driven power steering for enhanced feel. This is a big sedan that’s fun to hustle – reminding us of the no longer produced Camry TRD.
Hyundai/Kia loves to load the driver-assistance tech, and the Sonata serves up Forward and Rear Cross traffic collision avoidance, Blind Spot collision assist Safe Exit Warning and Assist, Lane Keep and Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and also available Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, and Highway Driving Assist.
Our favorite? Remote Smart Parking Assist that lets you park the vehicle and exit parking spots by remotely reversing and forwarding with the smart key from outside the vehicle. Impress your friends!
Big Power, Big Price?
Hyundai continues to impress here. The Sonata SEL starts at $27,500, and for a stylish, well-equipped spacious and high-tech sedan, it’s great value. Our N Line tester is the other end of the spectrum and starts at $34,950. Add $210 for floormats and $1,150 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $36,310. And it’s worth pointing out, with that advanced turbo powertrain, the standard 10-year – 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is excellent value.
The standard competition would include the Toyota Camry at a pricey $41,770, and the Honda Accord at $36,925. Both are new vehicles, very nice, but can’t come close to the Sonata’s performance. We’d also look at the Kia K5 GT with similar running gear as the Sonata, but more expensive at $39,140 for a comparable model.
Great looks, fantastic power, loads of tech and luxury, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line is a performance sedan bargain!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.