Hyundai rolls out special Sonata N-Line model with turbo engine

N-Line specific features continue inside the vehicle and include sporty, heated front bucket seats with Dinamica microfiber inserts; and the unique N-Line leather steering wheel.
Driving the Sonata N-Line with the 290 hp engine was a kick. At 3,552 pounds, it’s not an overly heavy vehicle, so there’s plenty of power for quick passing and light hill climbing.
This is the seventh generation of the Sonata sedan. With the latest makeover, the Sonata has been given a stunning new look for both regular petrol and petrol-electric hybrid models.

The exterior looks more like a coupe than a sedan, which adds to the car’s sporty good looks.
This dramatic sports coupe silhouette with an aggressive facelift, with the impressive LED lamps integrated into the front fenders and finished with chrome trim.
There is a fastback design at the rear with an exclusive spoiler and many interior upgrades.
Fuel economy is still quite decent even with the extra power from the turbocharged engine. EPA ratings are 23 mpg city/33 highway/27 combined. During our week of testing in the Sonata N-Line, we averaged around 26.3mpg, with a mix of around 60/40 city/highway driving.
Sonata is available in a total of five all-gasoline trim levels for 2022. You start with the base SE model ($24,500), followed by the SEL ($26,250), both of which come with the naturally aspirated Smartstream 2.5 GDI four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 foot-pounds of torque. They are also fitted with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

The other two trims are SEL-Plus ($31,450) and Limited ($34,400). Both come with a supercharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque. These trims also come with the regular eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Sonata’s striking new lines include LED accent lights that underscore the square LED headlights, which are outlined by chrome strips that extend along the hood to the chrome moldings that run down the side of the vehicle and around the side windows.
There are oval LED brake lights that extend from side to side and a tapered rear end that give the Sonata a distinctive look from behind.
Aerodynamic improvements include the redesigned rear spoiler (which rises from the outer taillight bezels) and underbody panels at the front and rear of the engine bay, under the center floor and at the rear. Other aerodynamic elements include a bumper lip and wheel deflectors (which fill in behind the wheel).
Door handles have touch sensors for locking/unlocking/opening. The intelligent trunk lid with hands-free function made loading and unloading the large trunk a breeze. There is 16 cubic meters of trunk volume.
The center console is equipped with two cup holders, a phone slot, a key slot, a push button switch and a wireless mobile charging pad.
Our test vehicle came with the Phantom Black exterior, with a black interior.
A customizable 10.25-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen supports the 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, natural language and Blue Link cloud-based voice recognition, controls for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth (phone calls, text-to-speech, audio), apps, vehicle information and settings, and surround-view cameras.
Also included was an AM/FM/HD radio with USB and AUX input jacks, Hyundai Blue Link Connected Car System, Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care, remote control and instructions.

The 12.3-inch instrument cluster displayed navigation maps with a bird’s-eye view, traffic flow, and event data. Navigation includes Blue Link multimedia/map updates.
A very quiet cabin is the result of new soundproof glass, improved carpet, more soundproofing materials and other noise-limiting upgrades.
Safety and comfort technologies included an intelligent cruise control with stop-start function, an electronic parking brake with an automatic vehicle hold function, a proximity key and a digital key with NFC (near field communication).
Sonata’s digital key uses Bluetooth and a dedicated Android app to turn your phone into a key fob capable of locking/unlocking, starting the engine, automatically adjusting seat and mirror settings, and more.

Using Near-Field Communication (NFC), the button function can be shared with another Android phone, with the ability to restrict functions and/or limit the button to a specific time. The “key” can also be withdrawn remotely.
Sonata’s long list of standard safety equipment includes Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beam, blind spot monitor/blind spot mirror, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, surround view monitor, lane following/lane departure warning, driver attention monitor and rear seat monitor.

When the turn signal is on, the blind spot view is displayed on the relevant side of the instrument cluster, providing around 25 degrees more visibility. It’s a real-time camera view of everything on this side of the vehicle, including what’s coming from behind.
Other safety features included electronic stability control with traction control, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear outboard side airbags, driver’s knee airbag and tire pressure monitoring.
Considering everything that’s already included at the base price, plus the styling and interior appointments that make this latest Sonata look more like a Mercedes than an affordable family car, this vehicle is quite a steal.
Underneath is a new, improved four-wheel independent suspension, giving it a smooth ride along with precise steering and road holding. Coil springs are used on all four corners.