While the Sonata retains its current powertrains, consisting of a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an N Line model with a 290-hp turbo four, all-wheel drive joins the options list for cars with the non-turbo. The 192-hp Sonata Hybrid that puts up big numbers for fuel economy also sticks around. While the Sonata’s road manners don’t impress us as much as the Honda Accord’s, its high style quotient and value-oriented packaging make it a great choice among family sedans—and a great addition to our 2024 Editors’ Choice list—nonetheless.The 2024 Hyundai Sonata adds some attitude to the family-sedan segment that we hope is loud enough to wake up the others.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A wide variety of powertrains are available on the 2024 Hyundai Sonata, starting with a 192-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and culminating in a 290-hp turbo four. While most models are front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is available with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The 2024 Hyundai Sonata is not the sharpest handler in its class—we like the Accord and the Nissan Altima better—but it’s still composed and responsive on the road. We’d also like to commend Hyundai for continuing to offer a conventional automatic transmission in its family sedan. Much of the class has gone over to droning (but efficient) continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs). During our time with the Sonata hybrid, which pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a motor-generator that combines for 192 horses, we appreciated its fuel-saving efforts but disliked how it didn’t smoothly transition between gas and electric power sources. The 290-hp N Line is one of the quickest front-drive cars we’ve tested, and it provides a satisfying amount of driving verve. The N Line nailed 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, which is only a tenth slower than the Honda Civic Type R‘s time.
Photos
Specifications
2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
152 in3, 2497 cm3
Power
290 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.6-in vented disc/12.8-in disc
Tires: Continental PremiumContact 6, 245/40R-19 (98Y)
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.8 in
Length: 192.9 in
Width: 73.2 in
Height: 56.9 in
Passenger volume: 104 ft3
Trunk volume: 16 ft3
Curb weight: 3541 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.0 sec
100 mph: 12.1 sec
130 mph: 22.2 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 sec
1/4 mile: 13.6 sec @ 106 mph
Top speed (C/D est): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 152 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.93 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 33 mpg
Highway range: 520 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 27/23/33 mpg
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $36,305/$36,474
Options: carpeted floor mats, $159
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 150 hp, 139 lb-ft + AC motor, 51 , 151 lb-ft (combined output): 192 hp, 210 lb-ft; 1.6-kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.2-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy A/S
215/55R-17 94V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.8 in
Length: 192.9 in
Width: 73.2 in
Height: 56.9 in
Passenger Volume: 105 ft3
Trunk Volume: 16 ft3
Curb Weight: 3640 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.1 sec @ 88 mph
100 mph: 21.4 sec
120 mph: 34.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 9.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.5 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 39 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 47/45/51 mpg