Trims and Engineering

Hyundai issues the ‘21 Sonata in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, N Line, and Limited. The SE and SEL have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 hp, while the SEL Plus and Limited receive a turbocharged 180 hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. But the most attention-getting power comes from the new N Line, which gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 290 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Most trims get a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, but the performance-oriented N Line gets an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. According to EPA ratings, the SE gets 28 mpg in town and 38 mpg on the highway. The SEL, SEL Plus, and Limited return 27 city/37 highway, while the N Line makes a slight efficiency tradeoff – 23 city/33 highway – in favor of that additional verve that driving enthusiasts crave.

Standard Equipment

The well-stocked SE has automatic LED headlights, LED taillights, a single exhaust outlet, a rearview camera with parking guidance, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback. The SEL adds heated exterior mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a gloss-black grille, sport front and rear bumper fascias, dual exhaust, Proximity Key with push-button ignition, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, BlueLink connected car services, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a rear armrest with cupholders. Buyers can add the Convenience Package to this trim to get a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, Hyundai Digital Key, a wireless smartphone charger, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a second-row air vent, LED interior lighting, and a second-row USB charge port.

The contents of the Convenience Package – minus the panoramic sunroof and LED interior lights – are standard in the SEL Plus. This trim also has simulated leather seats with suede inserts and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Tech Package for the SEL Plus bundles the panoramic sunroof and LED interior lights, plus an infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, integrated navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and highway drive assist.

The features from the Tech Package are standard on the N Line, which also comes with gloss black exterior accents, N Line front and rear fascias, an N Line spoiler, unique sport seats, ambient interior lighting, and aluminum sport pedals. The Limited loses the gloss black accents, exclusive N Line details, sport seats, and aluminum pedals but gets leather upholstery, a power front passenger’s seat, ventilated front seats, position memory for the side mirrors and driver’s seat, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a color head-up display.

Technology and Safety

All trims come with the Hyundai SmartSense suite of active safety features. In the SE, that includes forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear occupant alert, and automatic high beams. The SE and SEL Plus have blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and safe exit warning. The N Line receives highway drive assist (available for the SEL Plus with the Tech Package), parking collision-avoidance assist, and a class-exclusive blind-view monitor. The Limited has a surround-view monitor and remote smart parking assist.

The SE gets an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free with wireless audio streaming, and HD radio. The SEL and SEL Plus gain satellite radio. The N Line and Limited upgrade things with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and navigation. All of those features are available for the SEL Plus via the Tech Package.