2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2021 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a bold redesign that was a continuation from the 2020 model year, offering a distinctive and daring appearance. Its broad grille and tapered tail made it instantly recognizable, a design choice that was polarizing among consumers. The N Line variant further enhanced the Sonata's appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. These elements contributed to a more traditional yet stealthy visual performance suggestion. Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, and dark chrome accents, creating a sporty yet refined interior atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carried over the bold design from the previous year, standing out in the hybrid midsize sedan market. While some found its styling reminiscent of a catfish, it was undeniably eye-catching. The test model's matte gray paint, integrated deck-lid spoiler, and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights added to its unique look. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, with soft-touch surfaces and a modern, haptic bezel surrounding the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats were comfortable and supportive, making long trips enjoyable for both front and rear passengers. The Sonata Hybrid offered trims like Blue, SEL, and Limited, each adding various features and enhancements, with the Limited trim boasting a solar panel roof and other premium amenities.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. This power was managed by an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and featured an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's performance was further enhanced by improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Sonata N Line's handling was impressive, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride quality, even on challenging roads. The EPA estimated its fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery pack, delivering a total of 192 horsepower. Power was sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The Limited trim featured a solar panel roof, adding about two miles per day to the driving range. The Sonata Hybrid offered solid acceleration and a smooth transition between electric and gasoline power. It featured drive modes like Eco, Sport, Custom, and Smart, with Smart mode adapting to driving behavior. The hybrid's driving dynamics were refined, with precise steering and minimal body roll. The brakes provided solid stopping power with a soft pedal feel, making the Sonata Hybrid a comfortable and efficient choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered a spacious interior with heated front sport seats that balanced comfort and lateral support. The Dinamica suede inserts provided grip during spirited driving, while the manual seat height adjuster ensured comfort for both front-seat occupants. Rear-seat passengers had access to air conditioning vents and a USB port, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller individuals. The Sonata N Line featured a generous 16 cubic feet of trunk space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release was a convenient feature, though the lack of an interior handle meant getting hands dirty when closing the trunk.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also offered 16 cubic feet of trunk space, matching the conventional Sonata and surpassing some competitors. The cabin provided ample legroom for front passengers and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults comfortably. However, the sloping roofline resulted in a low rear door opening, requiring occupants to duck when entering. Once inside, rear headroom was adequate. Front passengers enjoyed cargo pockets in the doors and a well-sized center console, with a wireless charging pad in the Limited trim.

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, and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot. The absence of a tuning knob was a drawback, and the placement of the volume control knob occasionally triggered unintended touch functions. The Sonata N Line also featured Hyundai Digital Key, allowing Android users to unlock and start the car with their smartphone.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, with the Limited trim upgrading to a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and real-time traffic updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though CarPlay only occupied two-thirds of the larger screen. The touchscreen layout was intuitive, with crisp graphics on the Limited model. The stereo featured a traditional volume knob, but haptic buttons for channel selection. The SEL and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad, and the Limited added a head-up display, though its adjustability was limited for taller drivers.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense suite 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 a Rear Occupant Alert system, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata N Line's safety package was comprehensive and effective, though it had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also came with a full suite of driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added a head-up display, 360-degree surround-view parking monitor, and parking sensors. The safety features were generally non-intrusive, though occasional false positives occurred. The Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top marks for its driver-assistance features and optional LED headlights.