2021 Hyundai Sonata Review

　　

2021 Hyundai Sonata Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The 2021 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan that competes against all-stars such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and newcomers such as the Kia K5 (which is mechanically related to the Sonata). The Sonata does all the typical sedan things well — the cabin is spacious, trunk space is massive, and it's quicker than you might expect. But it's the abundant tech features, such as the easy-to-use infotainment system and available high-res surround-view parking camera, that truly impress.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$117/mo  for Sonata SE

　　Sonata SE

　　SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $23,950 MSRPSEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $25,800 MSRPSEL Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $28,300 MSRPN Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $33,300 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $33,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The big news for 2021 is a new range-topping performance trim. The Hyundai Sonata N Line is oriented toward buyers who want a family-friendly sedan with an edge. Power for the N Line comes from an all-new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is one of the more powerful upgrade engines you'll find in a midsize sedan. It also comes with slightly sharper handling, a special black-painted grille, dual exhaust pipes, and sport front seats with red accent stitching.

　　We've tested the new N Line and found it to be impressively enjoyable to drive. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth report of the Sonata's performance, comfort and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Sonata drive? We tested a Sonata Limited with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. While not exceptionally quick, the Sonata can edge out similarly powered family sedans, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds. It doesn't have trouble keeping pace with traffic or accelerating on freeway on-ramps, but doing so requires more pressure on the gas pedal than you might be used to.

　　Steering, handling and braking are matter-of-fact, though there are some strange traits. The firm overall ride doesn't net a worthwhile handling balance. And the brake pedal emits a slight pulsation under light, constant application, like when you're heading down a gentle grade. There's nothing particular to object to, but there isn't much to praise either.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Sonata? The Sonata gives the appearance of refinement, but its interior comfort comes up short of expectations. The seats are firm and lack the supple comfort and adjustment ranges found in segment leaders. The ride also falls on the firm side. It's far from uncomfortable, but it transmits bumps and impacts into the cabin that other similarly priced family sedans wouldn't. The interior is a touch louder too.

　　On the upside, the climate controls, including heated and ventilated front seats, are quiet and effective. Overall the interior gets the job done, but it doesn't go any further.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Nearly all of the controls are simple to intuit, which is impressive considering the abundance of interior features. A push-button shifter remains the biggest wart. The layout requires extra attention to make sure you're selecting the right gear, which can add needless anxiety to a quick three-point turn.

　　The size of the interior is excellent, matching interiors of larger vehicles in the segment and ensuring there's plenty of room for occupants of all sizes. On the other hand, even those of average height have to duck slightly while getting in and out. We'd like more driver's seat adjustment range, especially in seat height.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Sonata's available 10.3-inch touchscreen looks crisp and is quick to respond to your touch. The excellent voice controls understand most natural language commands for stereo, navigation and phone. Smartphone integration was flawless in our car, and it supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in widescreen format.

　　The Sonata, like most family sedans, has a suite of advanced safety features. But some of these features — such as blind-spot cameras that appear in the digital gauge cluster and the driver-free Smart Park — are mostly gimmicks. They're neat to show to your friends but don't have much practical value.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The trunk opening is large, and the reasonable liftover height allows plenty of space to load items. We also like the rear-seat flip-down switches that are easy to access in the trunk.

　　The Sonata's center console is deceivingly capable. What looks like a mere open flat area has clever touches, such as a textured surface and a partition between the cupholders for a spare phone. The front passenger also has access to a small but nice storage area on the right side of the tunnel. When it comes to car seats, the lower car-seat anchor points are squished between seat bottoms and seatbacks, so you have to dig a bit to reach them.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA fuel economy rating for the Sonata with the turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic is 30 mpg combined (27 city/37 highway). These figures fall right in line with those of similarly priced and equipped midsize sedans, though we were not able to match it. We averaged 26.4 mpg over about 400 miles of mixed city driving. It's worth noting that the base engine — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder — holds a slightly better combined rating of 32 mpg.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the Sonata a good value? A ton of technology features, a large interior, a class-leading warranty and strong ownership perks give the Sonata killer value on paper. If you prioritize advanced safety features and look-at-me style, the Sonata provides your money's worth.

　　The trade-off is a driving experience and interior that don't relay the sense of quality promised by the style. Top performers in the segment do both better. The Sonata's interior has some non-uniform panel gaps and occasional cheap-looking bits of trim that stand out against the otherwise stellar appearance.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　If it only drove as neat as it looks. The exterior style causes double takes, and many people we talked to during our test assumed the Sonata was a luxury car. It's distinct on the road and in a crowded parking lot, but not in an ostentatious way. Big credit to Hyundai for making a family sedan that stands out.

　　While riding the boost of a turbocharged engine is always enjoyable, there's little else in the Sonata to muster enthusiasm. Ride, steering and handling get the job done but lack the tactile satisfaction you'll find in more enjoyable sedans. Also, similarly priced sedans offer more powerful and entertaining engines, making them more compelling propositions.

　　

Which Sonata does zzdcar recommend?

All versions of the 2021 Sonata come so well equipped that it's tempting to recommend the base model. However, the SEL simply adds too much good stuff to ignore. With a more comfortable cabin and unique style, the SEL delivers on the inside and looks the part on the outside. Consider adding the Convenience package for truly impressive features such as a wireless charging station, larger instrument display and panoramic sunroof.

　　

2021 Hyundai Sonata models

The 2021 Sonata is available in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and the new N Line. Hyundai also offers the Sonata Hybrid variant, which is reviewed separately.

　　SE

　　This base trim comes respectably well equipped with:

　　2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft of torque) Eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive LED headlights 16-inch alloy wheels 8-inch central touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Six-speaker sound systemStandard safety equipment on all Sonatas includes:

　　Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the Sonata back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)SEL

　　The next model up keeps the 2.5-liter engine and adds the following:

　　17-inch wheels Keyless entry and push-button start Blue Link connectivity and remote services Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Hands-free trunk opener Safety exit warning (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)Convenience package

　　This assortment of technology features adds a lot to the SEL trim with:

　　12.3-inch digital instrument display Leather-wrapped steering wheel Panoramic sunroof Rear climate vents Auto-dimming rearview mirror Wireless smartphone charging pad Hyundai Digital Key (allows you to operate the vehicle while carrying your Android smartphone instead of the physical key)SEL Plus

　　This upgraded trim introduces a turbocharged engine, plus:

　　Convenience package from the SEL (minus the panoramic sunroof) 19-inch wheels Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (180 hp, 195 lb-ft) Paddle shifters Simulated suede and faux leather seating surfacesTech package

　　Optional for the SEL Plus, it adds:

　　Panoramic sunroof Navigation system 12-speaker premium Bose sound system Enhanced adaptive cruise and lane keeping systems Limited

　　The decked-out Limited carries over features from the SEL Plus and also comes standard with:

　　Equipment from Tech package on the SEL Plus Upgraded LED headlights 18-inch wheels with thicker tires than SEL Plus for improved ride comfort Head-up display Heated steering wheel Leather seating surfaces Power-adjustable passenger seat Ventilated front seats Ambient interior lighting Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Blind-spot view monitor (uses cameras to project a moving rearward image onto a digital display) Surround-view monitor (gives you a top-down view of the Sonata and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Hyundai's Smart Parking Assist (allows the driver to exit the vehicle and remotely guide it into a parking spot using a smartphone app)N Line

　　The performance version of the Sonata, the N Line is equipped similarly to the SEL Plus with the Tech package. It also has:

　　Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (290 hp, 311 lb-ft) Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission Unique 19-inch wheels (with available summer tires) Sport-tuned steering and suspension Front seats with additional bolstering N Line-specific styling details

　　

2021 Sonata Highlights

Type: SedanN LineSedan

　　Trim: SESELSEL PlusN LineLimitedSE

　　

Base MSRP	$23,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$117/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles