Hyundai Sonata N Line 2021: swift sedan detailed and priced for Australia

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Hyundai has confirmed pricing and specification for the all-new 2021 Sonata N Line for Australia. The sedan is set to arrive by the middle of this year.

The range is simple, with only one trim-level offered – the Sonata N Line – which will list for $50,990 before on-road costs.

Back in the early 2000s, the Sonata N Line would have walked into a hot market segment. However, with the rise of SUVs, medium and large cars have seen significant sales declines. 

When the Sonata lands, it will directly rival the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. With the Sonata’s renewed performance credentials, it even poses an alternative to hot hatches like the i30 N, though that will depend on how well the car drives.

Hyundai Australia CEO Jun Heo confirmed the brand’s commitment to the car: “(the) Sonata is a pillar of the Hyundai range, and the model’s evolution over eight generations into the stylish, all-new 2021 model represents our commitment to creating the ideal medium sedan“.

The Sonata N Line marks the first Australian appearance of Hyundai’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Found overseas in the Kia Stinger and Hyundai Santa Fe, the motor produces 213kW of power and 422Nm of torque.

Hyundai has hooked the new 2.5-litre engine up to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox that sends power to the front wheels exclusively. Naturally, selectable drive modes feature with customisation offered.

Like all Australian-delivered Hyundai products, the Sonata N Line benefits from local ride and handling tuning. We will have a full drive report shortly to see how good the new sedan is.

Hyundai Australia product planning and development manager Tim Rodgers outlined the marque’s goals for the Sonata: “our aim was for Sonata to be a great cruiser; an excellent tourer that could cover ground comfortably and quickly“.

The new Sonata’s exterior styling is said to evoke ‘sensuous sportiness‘ and exudes a similar design to the i30 Sedan. In our eyes, the Sonata looks best in the pictured Flame Red metallic ($595), though the Hampton Grey painted example we had an early look at is also attractive.

There are some great details, including the full-width wraparound rear taillights, sharp creases on the flanks and how the LED headlights blend into the chrome trim on the bonnet.

Like the exterior, the cabin takes many cues from the smaller i30 sedan, including the four-spoke steering wheel and centre console design with the rotary gear selector in place of a traditional stick.

Technology is a strong point inside with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with in-built navigation – but only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, Bose premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging and a head-up display.

The seats are appointed in suede with Nappa leather bolsters; they also boast electric adjustment including lumbar, heating, cooling and memory function. A generous panoramic sunroof features to lift cabin ambience, and as it’s a sporty model, the Sonata N Line is only available with black appointments.

Safety and convenience features include a surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and AEB with pedestrian, cyclist and junction functionality.

Hyundai Australia says the new Sonata N Line will land in Australia by the middle of this year.

Hyundai Sonata 2021: pricing in Australia

All prices are before on-road costs.

• Hyundai Sonata N Line Auto – $50,990
• Premium paint – $595