2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line First Look

Everyone, please say hi to the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line. It's the sportier rendition of Sonata as foretold in the sacred Scrolls of N. And for those who don't know, Hyundai's N-Line is a mellower range of zippy vehicles that sit below the full track-worthy N-Roster, which currently only includes the Veloster N. Golly, what fun we've had in that thing. By the way, this is going to be a really quick video because even though Hyundai has revealed the Sonata N-Line for all to see, they have not revealed technical data just yet. No problem. Harnessing the power of internet speculation, the Sonata N-Line's 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine should make something like 290 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. If the final figures beat those numbers, even better. Power is sent through an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission to the front and only the front tires, raising the specter of arm-wrestling torque steer. Who knows, maybe Hyundai will grant us an all-wheel-drive Sonata somewhere down the line. To ensure the 2.5-liter's output converts into motion rather than smoke from a single spinning tire, a limited-slip differential would be neat, but from what we hear, the Sonata N-Line will not include an LSD, and honestly it's not a full N-Car, so maybe that's not necessary. Either way, can't wait to see those tech specs. What we do know is that the N-Line looks racier than a standard Sonata without skewing to the outlandish. Honestly, this thing looks dignified and restrained versus, oh let's say, the Toyota Camry TRD. To be clear though, dignified doesn't mean boring. An N-Line-specific grille and fascia, 19-inch wheels, a rear diffuser, and N-Line badges add a glaze of sass to the exterior. Inside, the Sonata N-Line plays the sporty car hits with sporty looking pedals, sport seats, this sporty steering wheel, though they resisted the urge to make that bottom flat, sporty dark chrome trim, and of course, a hallmark of all sporty interiors, red stitching. The total effect isn't a radical transformation, but rather a measured and pleasant enhancement. This is normally where I'd talk about price and other details, but again, Hyundai is keeping those to themselves for a bit longer, so how about I stop talking, we turn up the music, and just stare at the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line for a little bit longer. Deal? Deal.