2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, traditional car profile. The 300's appearance was timeless, evoking a sense of nostalgia without leaning into retrofuturism. From the base trim to the high-end 300S, the Chrysler 300 maintained a dignified presence suitable for any occasion.

The 2021 model featured bi-xenon halogen projector lamps with LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S offered adaptive HID lamps. The grille options varied between black and chrome, depending on the trim and package. Wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base trim to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. Inside, the Chrysler 300 boasted high-quality materials, with Nappa leather upholstery standard on higher trims and heated seats available on the top two trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look. Its broad grille and tapered tail made it instantly recognizable. The N Line trim added functional and stylistic enhancements, such as larger air intakes for better engine cooling and gloss black side mirrors. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving it a stealthy performance-oriented appearance.

Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. A panoramic sunroof was standard, enhancing the car's spacious feel. The interior design balanced comfort and sportiness, making it suitable for both spirited driving and daily commutes.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for high-speed races, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine provided a respectable 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims. The 300S trim offered a slightly more powerful version with 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was a $2,750 option, though not available on the 300S.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-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. The Sonata N Line also had an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system and a sport-tuned exhaust, providing a thrilling driving experience.

The Sonata N Line's performance was further enhanced by stiffer engine and transmission mounts, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. It rode on 19-inch wheels with 245/40 all-season or summer performance tires. During testing in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Sonata N Line demonstrated impressive handling, responsive steering, and reliable brakes. Despite being front-wheel drive, it managed to minimize understeer and provided a smooth, controlled ride.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear. This made it competitive with luxury sedans like the Lexus ES350 and Toyota Avalon. The 300 provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. Trunk space was also ample, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, enough to accommodate four large suitcases.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for added comfort and support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front occupants. However, the rear seats were not significantly more spacious than those in the Elantra N Line, though they did offer rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The panoramic sunroof helped alleviate any sense of claustrophobia. Trunk volume was 16 cubic feet, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat expanded utility. The Sonata N Line also included Hyundai’s Smart Trunk hands-free release feature.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. This system was praised for its intuitive interface, functionality, and steering wheel-mounted controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and 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. However, it lacked a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for some users. The infotainment system also offered Sounds of Nature, providing ambient noise tracks for a calming driving experience. Hyundai Digital Key was standard, though it only worked with Android devices.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, except for the small overlap tests, where it received a "Marginal" score, and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash test rating, with four-star ratings for driver and passenger side crash tests, and a four-star rollover rating. It did receive a five-star rating for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available through higher trims and packages.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems, 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 had high safety ratings, though specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time of review.