2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line Is The Sportiest Yet

The N-Line includes visual and driving upgrades.
The interior is garnished with unique trim and sport seats.
No specific powertrain details yet.

Hyundai is turning up the heat with its N and N-Line products of late. The most recent addition is the new 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line which should turn out to be the most powerful and sportiest yet.

Although we now have pictures and few details about the new 2021 Sonata N-Line, Hyundai has purposefully failed to share powertrain details. No matter, odds are that the Hyundai Group’s well-known turbocharged 2.5-litre 4-cylinder will put its 290 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. to get up to speed. Most recently, this mill has found its way in the all-new Kia Sorento (with AWD) and equally all-new Kia K5 GT (FWD).

2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line | Photo: Hyundai

Although the Sonata N-Line isn’t a full-fat N car, it will get a number of visual add-ons including side skirts and 19-inch alloy wheels. The familiar front fascia now includes three air intakes and N Line badging. At the rear, Hyundai has fitted a sleek black lower bumper, dual twin exhausts, and N Line rear diffuser.

The cabin also gains a few upgrades, namely some dark chrome trim, signature N Line red stitching on the steering wheel, and a set of sport seats.

“The 2021 Sonata N Line will attract more customers to both the rock-solid Sonata lineup and our increasingly popular N Line sub-brand. Sonata N Line will appeal to customers who desire sporty styling in a sedan package,” said SangYup Lee, Head of the Hyundai Global Design Center.

Finally, Hyundai’s press release states “that fun is just around the corner—any corner” with the Sonata N-Line. If we suppose that the N-Line bridges a gap to a true N, perhaps the Sonata N-Line will be like the Kia K5 GT-Line where AWD (any corner…) is offered with the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. It could also be that the N-Line’s 1.6T will gain 21 horsepower (as found in the Veloster Turbo) to drive all four wheels. This would leave room for a full-on Sonata N with the 2.5T. Perhaps we’re overthinking it.