2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

BMW returned to its traditional styling approach with the 2021 3 Series, aiming for a familial look reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, and the standard synthetic Sensatec material didn't elevate the cabin's luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a daringly distinctive look. The N Line treatment enhanced the Sonata's appeal with larger air intakes, gloss black accents, and bold 19-inch wheels. The interior featured sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, and dark chrome accents. A panoramic sunroof added to the car's spacious feel, making the Sonata N Line's interior both stylish and comfortable.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 330i with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a turbo inline-six in the M340i producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive options. The M340i could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite the 330e's quick acceleration, the transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the driving experience lacked engagement.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. An eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and launch control sent power to the front wheels. The Sonata N Line featured Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and 19-inch wheels with performance tires made it a joy to drive on winding roads, with minimal understeer and excellent handling. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan, with segment-leading rear headroom and above-average front headroom. However, legroom was average, and shoulder room was less generous than competitors like the Acura TLX. Gasoline models provided 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e's battery pack reduced this to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space, though a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, making it comfortable for both occupants. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and a USB port, though legroom and thigh support were similar to the smaller Elantra N Line. The Sonata's 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 interior handle meant getting hands dirty when closing the trunk.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports as standard. Gasoline models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and multiple control options, including gesture controls and a voice assistant.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The system included HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob could be frustrating. The Sonata N Line also offered Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices and a calming Sounds of Nature feature.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional packages offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with Hyundai's SmartSense ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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 NHTSA and IIHS had not yet rated the 2021 Sonata N Line, but the standard Sonata received high marks for occupant protection.