In the automobile world, the holy grail is the affordable sports car that can put up a fight to the elites in terms of performance and features, all while costing less to buy and also being able to fly under the radar. A sleeper is a good example of flying under the radar, but our ideal machine must also be underappreciated and affordable. The Hyundai Sonata is not a sports car or a sleeper, but it is almost certainly overlooked by those looking for a fast luxury sports sedan thanks to its brand name and image.
Today, Hyundai and its corporate twin Kia are far from their modest beginnings, becoming forces to be reckoned with, as they eye the class above, not with envy but with legitimate confidence. The Hyundai Sonata N Line takes the foundation of the Sonata and sprinkles some extra features on top that result in a sports sedan that won’t dethrone the elites but could be just the ticket for many looking for practicality, comfort, reliability, and above all, fun.
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The Hyundai Sonata: A Driver’s Car You Didn’t Consider
The Hyundai Sonata gets its name from a piece of instrumental music and its relatively affordable price will be music to the ears of anyone looking for a classy mid-sized sedan. It shares its mechanicals and most of its components with its corporate twin, the Kia K5. Both have recently been facelifted and are stylish machines, both have accessible entry prices, and both have a sports option as well as a hybrid.
The Sonata nameplate was first used in 1985, and today it is in its eighth generation. The Kia K5 was produced from 2000 and is in its fifth generation. Neither could be called a driver’s car in their early years, but the current Sonata (as well as the Kia) offers a legitimate amount of refinement, luxury, and speed with the N Line model.
For reference, the 2025 BMW 330i starts from $46,000 and features a 255-horsepower engine as well as an eight-speed transmission. The Hyundai Sonata offers up to 290 horsepower, a wet dual-clutch transmission, and starts from $35,000. Both can hit 60 mph in the 5-second range. Neither model competes with the other and BMW’s model is also rear-wheel drive (or all-wheel drive optional).
The entry-level Sonata models also offer all-wheel drive but not with the more powerful powertrain. For those who would like a little of the premium experience for less, however, the Sonata becomes more interesting.
Hyundai Sonata Pricing
|
2025 Hyundai Sonata |
|
|---|---|
|
SE |
$26,800 |
|
SEL |
$27,900 |
|
SEL Convenience |
$30,950 |
|
SEL Hybrid |
$31,150 |
|
N Line |
$35,400 |
|
Limited Hybrid |
$37,600 |
Hyundai offers its own trim levels and pricing that largely align with what Kia offers but the details vary. It calls its performance version the N Line (the N name is used for its other performance models such as the Elantra N) and all of its trim levels undercut premium rivals. It all kicks off at $27,000, but the more desirable features are available on higher trims such as heated seats.
For the biggest thrills, the N Line is the one to buy since it comes with all the features below that make the Sonata a little more interesting from a driver’s point of view.
The N Line Sonata: A Bargain Driver’s Car
Some performance trims are limited to blacked-out trims and special wheels and while the Sonata N Line does feature these, it adds substance to the package, such as the more powerful engine, sports suspension, and a unique transmission. Side by side with the other trims, the N Line’s custom front bumper is enlarged at the sides and the central grille is lower, which gives it a sportier stance. These are modest upgrades but should be enough to transform the Sonata from a relatively affordable Hyundai sedan into something that fills the void between that and the segment above.
- Quad exhaust tips
- Unique front/rear bumper
- Dark-colored exterior trims
- N Design 19-inch alloy wheels
- N unique sport front seats with microfiber inserts (contrast black w/ red stitching)
- 8-speed DCT transmission w/ paddle shifters
- Sport-tuned suspension
2025 Hyundai Sonata Trims, Pricing, And What You Get For The Money
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata has a few new updates, which includes trim levels, that you should know about.
The Surprisingly-Fun Powertrain Offered With The Sonata
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
MPG (combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2.5-liter, turbocharged I4 |
290 hp |
311 lb-ft |
27 MPG |
Standard engines include a 2.5-liter, naturally-aspirated engine with 191 horsepower and also a hybrid, with all-wheel drive available as an option on certain trims but not the N Line. The N Line is more powerful – 100 horsepower more than the entry-level engine – and features a wet dual-clutcher instead of the standard eight-speed automatic for the other models. Its hybrid model actually features a six-speed ‘box and can do 47 MPG combined.
Where the N Line would have been a superior product is with the availability of all-wheel drive and even a rear-biased setting, but this isn’t so. Still, as a front-wheel drive performance car, it remains in a popular segment shared with others like the Honda Civic and Acura Integra. The same is true of the Kia K5 GT which is Kia’s version of the N Line.
Acceleration is brisk to 60 mph for the N Line and on par with a BMW 330i, which is impressive, while up to 32 MPG on the highway is also suggested by the EPA. A Honda Civic Type R gets 24 MPG combined and 28 MPG on the highway.
Comparison: Honda Accord Hybrid vs. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Family sedans were never out of fashion, and the hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata testify to that. But which one is for you?
2025 Hyundai Sonata: Styling, Features, Highlights
Hyundai knows that a refined cabin with quality materials and a clean, mature design is key when attracting buyers in this segment. Inside, some touches are reminiscent of premium rivals including the curved display panel and clutter-free setup. Despite the higher trims holding the key to desirable features, the entry-level trim comes with many luxury features that buyers are now accustomed to in a new car.
The big omission from entry-level SE trim is leather seats which is a typical practice, especially in cars from mainstream brands. It also omits heated seating and the 12.3-inch digital driver’s cluster. The pricier trims offer dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, eight-way power driver’s seat, 17-inch wheels (standard is 16-inch), paddle shifters, all-wheel drive, 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless phone charging, power passenger’s seat, and leather upholstery.
Standard Features
- LED projector headlights
- Apple Car Play / Android Auto
- Climate control
- Lane keep assist
- Cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Rear parking camera
- Remote trunk release
- Remote engine start
- Smartphone link (start engine, activate climate control, etc)
- High beam assist
- Front / rear USB-C ports
The Hyundai isn’t competing with the BMW 3 Series, but it is competing for your attention. Its Hyundai badge doesn’t stand for economy class any longer and the N Line trim makes it a cheaper alternative to the $47,000 for those who won’t be carving apexes on the weekend. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the Sonata almost has everything at its disposal to create something akin to a driver’s car, with just enough missing (a rear-or-all-wheel drive setup) which means it falls short. That doesn’t make it any less a well-executed sedan that could be a lot of things a lot of people are looking for, even those who like to stretch their right foot a little.