New Hyundai Sonata goes upmarket

The South Korean brand is going all-in on its new sporty family car, but one move might turn off more than a few buyers.

2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line.

Hyundai has revealed its potent new four-door.

Sedans aren’t big sellers in Australia, but Hyundai is rolling the dice with a spicy new version of its Sonata mid-sizer to help drum up some interest.

Hyundai is only offering one well-equipped and expensive version of its new mid-size sedan.

Hyundai is only offering the new Sonata in one well-equipped N Line package when it arrives in the middle of this year.

Buyers might baulk at the $50,990 (before on-road costs) price, but the equipment list is long and the engine packs a punch.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making a beefy 213kW and 422Nm. This is paired to a quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

The Sonata hosts a potent turbocharged engine.

This set-up puts the Sonata N-Line on the same page as Toyota’s V6-powered Camry, but the addition of turbo power in the Sonata means there is more low down grunt to entice spirited driving.

There is even a launch control feature allowing for quick acceleration from a standstill — the feature works when the accelerator is pushed to the floor and maintains the engine speed where max torque is exerted.

Aggressive styling give the Sonata a sporty edge.

Sharp styling is highlighted by a sloping coupe-like silhouette, big aggressive front grille and a prominent boot lip to give it sporty appeal.

Hyundai Australia chief, Jun Heo, says the Sonata forms a critical part of the brand’s range and the current version is the work of evolution over eight generations.

Hyundai has made safety a priority in the new Sonata.

“Striking coupe-like styling, a premium cabin, advanced safety and technology, and a powerful all-new 2.5 Turbo engine ensure the all-new Sonata N Line is our best Sonata yet,” says Heo.

Safety focused motorists will enjoy the comprehensive suite of driver aids, which includes auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert with braking function, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and driver attention warning.

A 360-degree camera takes the stress out of parking in tight spaces.

Premium materials are used throughout the cabin.

Passengers are treated to luxurious leather upholstered seats — in the front they are both heated and ventilated, while the outward rear seats are heated. Wireless device charging and a Bose stereo bring added convenience.

Connectivity is taken care of by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto accessed via a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Satnav is also standard.

Hyundai has ditched analog dials in favour of a fully-digital dash making it easier to view vital functions and satnav directions.

Originally published as New Hyundai Sonata goes upmarket