The Hyundai Sonata N Line, and returning to my roots

I recently asked Nissan for an Altima. Yes, it’s true – I have a soft spot for the model. Alas, none are left in the press fleet as the nameplate nears its end. I know, I know – it’s an Altima. But remember the SE-R? How about the Mazdaspeed 6? No? Sigh.

Guess we’ll have to give the hot family four-door a proper send off with this 2025 Hyundai Sonata N Line.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata N Line Overview

Why is the traditional family sedan dying? You know the biggest reason – SUVs.

But there’s another culprit too: money. Perhaps you’ve noticed that things are expensive. The American dream is more like a fantasy at this point. When that happens, people look to luxuries that are more easily achievable. After all, what’s the point of saving money if you’ll never be able to save enough?

So sales of things like hand bags, fashionable clothing, and luxury cars are up. Since we can’t afford a $4,000 mortgage, let’s go spend a $1,000 a month on a car. Despite the state of the economy, brands like Mercedes and BMW are having banner sales years. And all of this means that you’re more likely to make the reach for a regular BMW 3 Series than to be seen driving around in something ho-hum.

But this isn’t really about the traditional family sedan, because the Sonata N Line isn’t one of those. Matte paint? Nearly 300 horsepower? A DCT? Sure as hell don’t remember my Dad’s Altima having any of that.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the word “Line” after that letter N? Yea, this isn’t a full-on Captain America serum transformation like the Elantra receives. Such a thing would be uncouth for this car anyway – too big, too upscale. Instead, we’re left with a kind of middle ground. That goes for pricing too, because at just over $37k, this ends right before those lux brands begin.

Take a look around, and you’ll see this Hyundai is the last man standing. Accord, Camry, Altima – none offer anything regarding fun trim levels any more. Some don’t offer any trim levels at all, just a death certificate for the name.

Did they get it wrong? Is the performance family sedan worth saving?

Performance Score: 6. Power up

This car has the guts – think M Performance BMW, and you start to get the idea of where Hyundai is going.

Engine

Sitting at the top of the Sonata range, this 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumps out 290 horsepower and a very respectable 311 lb-ft of torque. That means terrific grunt off the line, and a good mid-range power band to exploit.

It also means torque steer. Though you can get the Sonata Hybrid with all-wheel drive, the N-Line relies on its forearms to pull itself forward. Torque steer is your constant companion, preventing you from putting down all that beefy torque. At least an updated launch control helps put the power down without smoking tires.

The N might be faster, but it’s by no means nose-bleed inducing, and wringing out the motor doesn’t result in much excitement. It runs out of steam at its power peak of 5,800, and turning off the fake engine sound results in library levels of quiet. You’re promised more with those four pipes outside.

Still, overall, enough here to have fun and get yourself past all the left lane interlopers.

Transmission

Let us gives props to Hyundai – they could have easily plopped in a CVT like most other family sedans have and called it good. But the Sonata gets no such thing, and the N-Line ups the ante with a dual clutch transmission.

The problem is that it’s not a very snappy DCT, so what’s the point? Using the paddles will help a little, but regardless your shifts will be a bit soggy. Still, far better than any CVT, including the WRX.

The shifter itself is a stalk that’s carried over from the Hyundai Ioniq 5N, and the same maddening logic applies here. It’s frustrating to use, but perhaps my brain is just backwards.

Steering and Chassis

The first thing to know here is that Hyundai discontinued the summer tires option last year, leaving you with ho-hum all-seasons. The N really needs them, from both a launch and suspension point of view.

And this suspension needs all the help it can get. It floats down the road and shows an eagerness to overload the front wheels in a very un-sports sedan like fashion. The Sonata N Line has no adjustable shocks, but does get a firmed up kit from the base car, so you’re stuck with how the car feels. If you’re looking to simply cruise, watch out for bumps. The Sonata can hit ’em hard. Real hard. Ouch!

From the wheel, there is redemption with a good amount of feedback and heft, but I can’t help but feel this car leaves performance on the table. Consider adding those summer tires after you buy yours to gain at least some of it back.

Brakes

With 13.6-inch front discs up front, the Sonata offers a firm pedal and few butt-clenching moments during a spirited drive. The calipers themselves aren’t finished like you might find in a real N product, but such is life.

Before we wrap this bit up, you should know that this Sonata N Line needs 28 more feet to stop from 70 MPH when compared to one with summer tires. You won’t notice that in everyday driving, but you will notice it that one time it’s too late to notice. Ya dig?

Lifestyle Score: 7. Four doors, more chores

This is a gran coupe body in disguise. Must be – I hit my head on the door frame getting in constantly. 

Once inside, you’ll notice the N Line’s unique sport seats that I’m sure do a better job than the base model’s. But they don’t work for me, with a bottom cushion that can’t get low enough or bolsters that really support you. It creates that dreaded feeling of sitting on them, instead of in them.

Otherwise, good stuff. The back seat offers plenty of room for two, three in a pinch. And the trunk is vast for chore time. Think of doing a cool launch control start on your way out of the Publix parking lot. 

Fuel Economy: 9. Going the distance

The Sonata will get 27 combined MPG, but despite driving the kimchi out of this thing, I actually did 28. Hard to argue when performance and efficiency are combined. 

Stretched out, the Sonata N-Line has over 500 miles of range too. That’s from a good old turbocharged engine and DCT. No hybrid, CVT, or battery blah to dampen the fun.

Features and Comfort: 7. Hyundai hope

The Sonata N Line has a lot of tech and comfort as standard, making this sub $40k mid-size sedan an excellent value.

K pop band

This interior of this car is reminiscent of Audi designs, and that’s a good thing. Regrettably you can only get grey on the interior, but the textures of faux leather, carbon fiber and Alcantara are nice enough. Red trim and stitching feels a bit naughty. 

There’s a large panoramic sunroof, dual automatic climate control, a nice Bose stereo, wireless charging, and Hyundai Driving Assistant. It’s all standard on the N, and all works well. 

Hyundai’s infotainment is nice enough – not premium in design but on par with rivals from Subaru and Nissan. The screens are big too, with two 12.3-inch displays for the dash and infotainment. 

Matte make out

I admit to having a crush on the Kia Optima long ago. That car started what I think has become a styling revolution at Kia and by extension, Hyundai.

The Sonata can’t really be mistaken for anything else. It’s not an Accord Doppelganger, and the revised styling from last year got rid of those weird angry eyebrows. In its place is Korean cool – sleek and modern. Adding N to the badge brings some aggression to the design with black trim, unique front and rear diffusers, those four exhaust pipes, and N-specific 19-inch wheels.

Only you can know if the sacrifices that need to be made for this beautiful Aero Silver Matte paint are worth it. I must say it’s well done – Hyundai paint has improved greatly. But it does cost $1,000, and like Dom Toretto, you will be banned from the automatic car washes for life. Or maybe that’s Larry Kosilla. 

Other sedans to consider

• 2025 Hyundai Elantra N
• 2025 Subaru WRX tS
• 2023 Subaru WRX GT
• 2025 Acura TLX Type S
• 2024 Audi S4

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata N Line is late. Maybe too late.

Cars like this annoy me.

Where were you twenty years ago, Hyundai N?

Back then, Bimmers really were too expensive for anyone under 30. Even Mitsubishi Evos were pricey. But there was no N, NISMO or TRD/GR in the mainstream yet, so it was feast or famine. You kids have it so good today!

And now you don’t want them. Blame social media car culture, where a premium is paid for special colors and fast tunes. You might as well show up as the Invisible Man if you drove this Sonata in. And yea, blame the high price of everything else in life too. If it all sucks, best to drive around in a car that makes it seem like it doesn’t.

Except this Sonata N Line doesn’t suck – far from it. That turbo four has some guts and loves to be wrung out. The suspension has the bones, just needs a little more time in the oven. Looks great. It’s simply late too the party.

Will it stick around? I can’t find an official word from Hyundai, but rumor has it that 2025 could be the end of the N Line (dad joke). I hope that isn’t the case.

But if it is, know that the family sedan went out with an Independence Day President-level speech by not just going quietly into the night.