2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Audi A4

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was unmistakably a Sonata. The N Line version further enhanced this design 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. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy yet appealing appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, along with a standard panoramic sunroof that added to the car's spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Audi A4 maintained a simple, clean, and conservative appearance, which served as a perfect canvas for its Tango Red paint and Black Optic package detailing. The test car, equipped with 19-inch five-arm rotor-design wheels, looked sensationally good. Inside, the A4 continued this aesthetic restraint with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting. The dashboard integrated air vents seamlessly, and the controls were clearly labeled. However, the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed like an afterthought rather than an integrated part of the design.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car offered Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, and featured an Active Sound Design (ASD) engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line also had significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, 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 stout brakes, while maintaining a comfortable ride quality. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving, though the test averaged 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 Audi A4 45 TFSI, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and powered the standard Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The A4 45 TFSI could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and had an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in combined driving. The car offered Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual driving modes. During testing, the A4 45 TFSI averaged 24.8 mpg. The A4's AWD system provided a solid driving experience, with excellent tire grip and effective brakes. The steering, while not exceptional, was adequate. The A4's structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation, and the cabin remained remarkably quiet.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, offering a balance between comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, making it comfortable for both front-seat occupants. However, the rear seat space was not significantly more accommodating than the smaller Elantra N Line, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sonata's interior storage was generous, though the center console design was somewhat inelegant. 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 interior handle on the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 Audi A4, sitting low to the ground, was harder to enter and exit, with small door openings and a snug cabin. However, once inside, the A4 provided exceptional comfort in the front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable with a thigh-support cushion. The A4 also featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, separate from the infotainment screen, and intuitive switchgear. The rear seats, while supportive and heated, offered limited space for adults, with hard plastic and exposed storage netting on the front seatbacks. Interior storage was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4's 13 cubic-foot trunk was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, and included grab handles for easy closing.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped 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. The infotainment system had a power/volume knob but no tuning knob, which could be frustrating. The voice recognition technology was mostly accurate but occasionally unresponsive. The system also offered Sounds of Nature, providing ambient noise tracks for a calming experience. Hyundai Digital Key was standard, though it only worked with Android devices.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and provided acoustic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect connected services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was easy to configure and use, with an intuitive user experience. The voice recognition technology was accurate but slow to respond. The A4 also had a large head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The Bang & Olufsen stereo provided excellent sound quality, though it could suffer degradation at high volumes.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was 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 Sonata N Line's ADAS performed smoothly and accurately, reducing driver stress. The standard Sonata rated high for occupant protection, though specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Audi A4 Prestige included a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Audi Pre Sense umbrella, such as front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The A4's driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally required driver intervention. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.