2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the design of the E-Class from two generations prior, featuring a rounded, smooth body. While some critics felt it was overly streamlined, the resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes family. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet forms, the E-Class catered to conservative buyers with its versatile design. The sedan, in particular, looked especially rich with the traditional hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, though most models sported a large Mercedes emblem in the center of the grille. The LED lighting, delicate and sophisticated, added to the car's visual appeal, whether on the Luxury model's 17-inch wheels or the sportier 20-inch wheels with ground effects and quad exhausts.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class showcased the fluid, creaseless form best, with a contrasting soft top that revealed a sumptuous interior. The interior, when specified with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood, was a delight. Two feet of high-resolution digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by four circular air vents and a row of knurled silver toggles for climate control. The ambient lighting, available in 64 colors with various animations, added to the luxurious feel. Features like heated armrests, massaging seats, and striking colors made the E-Class a place for solitude and comfort, even in its base form with leatherette and standard seats.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a daringly distinctive look that was immediately identifiable as a Sonata. The N Line treatment enhanced the car's appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes for improved engine cooling and gloss black side mirrors and window surrounds. The bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a subtle gloss black lip spoiler added to the car's sporty profile. The reworked bumper with a lower diffuser panel and four-outlet exhaust system further emphasized the Sonata's performance-oriented design.

Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. The standard panoramic sunroof gave the car a two-tone appearance and made the interior feel roomier. The interior materials were of high quality, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. The center console design, with its blistered transmission control pod and wrap-around storage bin, was practical but not particularly elegant. The trunk offered a roomy 16 cubic feet of space, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat expanded utility when needed. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was a convenient addition, though the lack of an inside handle for closing the trunk was a minor inconvenience.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of powertrains, starting with the E350, which replaced the E300. The E350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The revised turbo with a twin-scroll design and shorter intake runners provided quicker response, though the car's heavy weight made passing maneuvers challenging. The E450, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, delivered 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offering a more balanced and effortless performance. The AMG models, including the E53 and E63 S, provided even more power and performance, with the E63 S boasting a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy varied between 19 to 32 mpg, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with an 8-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, with the Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system adding to the sporty experience. The Sonata N Line featured significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The car's performance on winding mountain roads was impressive, with responsive steering, firm underpinnings, and sticky tires. Fuel economy was EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded an average of 23.7 mpg.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system, which could be unwieldy on the car's large screens. The lack of touchscreens was a significant drawback, making it challenging to change audio settings, switch sources, adjust ambient lighting, and input addresses while driving. The system required familiarity with Mercedes models to navigate effectively, with multiple input methods including thumbpads, a touchpad on the center console, and a dial. Despite these challenges, the E-Class offered functional features like seat and seat climate controls on the door panels, ample space in every dimension, and clear sightlines. The coupe had a usable rear seat with its own window controls, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. Interior storage was practical, with a net in the front passenger footwell for water bottles and a concealed wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, making it comfortable for both front-seat occupants. The rear seat offered less legroom and thigh support compared to the Elantra N Line, but rear air conditioning vents and a USB port were added conveniences. The standard panoramic sunroof alleviated any sense of claustrophobia, and the materials were of high quality. Interior storage was generous, though the center console design was not particularly elegant. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an inside handle for closing the trunk was a minor inconvenience.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer itself, help steer around obstacles, change lanes, slow down for curves, and sense people and objects from all directions. The Driver Assistance Package included a comprehensive list of features, while the V2X system communicated with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The digital dash could be reconfigured in three designs, with multiple display options for maps and fuel economy. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Burmester stereo offered surround-sound modes, and the front camera activated automatically when pulling into a space. Some features, like the Energizing Comfort Package, were more novelty than necessity, but overall, the E-Class was overengineered with useful tech.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. The lack of a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob were minor drawbacks, with the driver needing to use virtual buttons or steering wheel controls to change radio stations. The infotainment system's curvature and volume control placement could inadvertently activate touch-sensing functions, and the voice recognition technology was not always accurate. The Sonata N Line also offered Sounds of Nature, a feature providing ambient noise tracks for relaxation. Hyundai Digital Key was standard, though it only worked with Android devices.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were considered equally safe due to Mercedes' safety innovations. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 optional driver-assist features available.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings, though the N Line had not been specifically tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.