Rising popularity in Korea..The high-performance Sonata N-Line North America evaluation is
Jun 04, 2025
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In the case of Sonata, it can be seen as a successful facelift. The Sonata is a Kia K5 and a sibling vehicle. The design evaluations of the two vehicles were mixed. Unlike Kia K5, which is a favorable response, the Sonata was selected as a vehicle with severe likes and dislikes, especially with its front face being criticized.
For that reason, it suffered a humiliation of losing ground to K5 in domestic demand. After the partial change, Sonata design evaluation has completely changed. Sales also topped Kia's K5 and settled in the top 10 domestic car sales. Of course, there is also a partial impact of taxi sales. K5 is also a sum of taxis, so it remains unchanged that the Sonata facelift was successful.
What is the evaluation of the new design in the North American market. Autoblog, an overseas automobile media outlet, confirmed the competitiveness of the Sonata N line. The Sonata N line provides better technology and ride comfort, but the general opinion is that it feels a little slow and less aggressive at cornering. Except for the Hyundai-Kia lineup, few vehicles in North America directly compare to the Hyundai Sonata N-Line.This is because most competing vehicles lack much power trains.
Sonata N-line is great, but the shortcomings that make you consider other vehicles are also clear. The Sonata N line is equipped with a powerful power train that transforms into a powerful racing machine in everyday driving as soon as you step on the accelerator pedal.The 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharger engine exerts 290 horsepower and 43.6 kg·m torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission equipped with a paddle shift.
It has a dedicated large 19-inch wheel and Pirelli P Zero with 245/40R-19 tires this season, but the ride is surprisingly flexible.Sports tuned suspension applied front-wheel McPherson strut and rear-wheel multilink suspension.Despite this robustness, the Sonata N Line brilliantly addresses the radical driving that occurs during routine commuting and winding.
The steering sensation is moderate, but the steering weight and brake are excellent. Hyundai Motor sells the Sonata N line at a recommended consumer price of $35,500 (about 48.9 million won), but it is close to $37,000 (about 51 million won) if you pay for the entire option.
Two 12.3-inch screens were placed horizontally indoors. Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and wireless mobile phone charging are the basic specifications. The panoramic sunroof is also available for selection.The seat is very comfortable and boasts a unique style.
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata N-Line boasts very economical fuel economy despite its strong output. When using general fuel, EPA-based urban fuel efficiency is about 11.7km/l and highway fuel efficiency is about 14.7km/l. It reminds me of the first generation Ford Torus SHO.The reason is that the modern Sonata N line feels similar. Both cars are significantly lighter compared to their powerful power. It shows off its unrivaled presence in mid-size sedans in its class.
Except for my cousin Kia K5 GT, I can't think of a functionally competitive car in this class.Toyota once introduced the powerful V6 TRD Camry, but that's in the past.Other competitors, such as Honda, Toyota, and Nissan, have not been able to adequately respond to the overwhelming performance of the Sonata N line.
The Sonata N line is a more satisfying choice than the Avante N. Nevertheless, it can still be radical and burdensome for some.The reason is because of the huge wheels, quad tailpipe, and various color options. However, these unconventional design elements, sound, and confident appearance make the car more attractive.
There are many reasons why this car is excellent. They include excellent safety technology, comfort in the back seat, and generous trunks.It's not a car for everyone, but it's also a gentle everyday commuter vehicle that puts a smile on the face of the viewer. How many cars can do this at this price?
As mentioned earlier, Sonata sales in Korea have been steadily rising since the partial change. On the other hand, sales of the Sonata N line with 2.5 turbo engines are insignificant. There is a concern about whether the next generation will be able to meet a high-performance Sonata in Korea.
In the case of rival Toyota Camry, it made a complete change last year, eliminating all gasoline power trains. We only sell hybrids. In response, the composition of the next-generation Sonata Powertrain is a part of attention on which direction it will take.
Editor Song Moon-cheol mc.song@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
