Unlike Detroit carmakers, who have practically abandoned the classic passenger car in favor of crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks, Asian brands like Hyundai stick to the shape of the sedan and even bring us new variants. Hyundai unveiled the redesigned 2021 Sonata just as pandemic blockades were being imposed across the United States. The first variant exits through the door powered by a four-cylinder engine and 2.0 liters of 147 horsepower, which is now added a more energetic turbocharged 1.6 in the Elantra N-Line.
While Hyundai is expanding its N functionality sub-brand, the N-Line necessarily replaces the former Sport edition of the range. The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces the same 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque this year as in the past generation, as well as several other existing models such as the Veloster Turbo, the Elantra GT N-Line (which discontinued in 2021 in North America) and some Kia models. At most other programs of this engine, it relates to a dual-clutch transmission and seven speeds with dry clutch, which is one of the most productivity gearboxes of its kind.
In front of this engine is a more competitive edition of the new Elantra grille. At the rear, the N-Line receives a more prominent integrated flap on the trunk hood and two exhaust tips. Unique 18-inch alloy wheels complete external shifts.
Underneath the turbocharged sedan are larger diameter front brake discs for increased braking force and the rear suspension changes from the swivel beam design to a multi-arm configuration. The outgoing Elantra GT offers the same combinations in its fundamental variants and N-Line and the multi-arm suspension makes a noticeable difference in driving quality and handling stability.
In addition to the sportiesr variant, the most effective hybrid edition will soon arrive. As with the N-Line, the Elantra hybrid powertrain is also reused from previous programs and there’s probably nothing to it. In this case, the same four-cylinder 1.6-liter Atkinson cycle combined with a 32 kW electric motor of hybrid Ioniq sedan has a new home. As with the Ioniq, this formula produces 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque and deserves to be more or less adjusted to the Ioniq’s capacity of more than 50 mpg.
Given Hyundai’s announcement that Ioniq will be a subbrand of battery-powered electric cars with 3 new models introduced starting in 2021, this will probably be the last year for the existing hatchback presented in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions.
I’ve spent my adult life running in and around the industry. After graduating from GMI with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I spent the next 17 years running
I’ve spent my adult life running in and around the auto industry. After graduating from GMI with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I spent the next 17 years working on electronic systems that help cars stop, pass and replace the address before leaving to write about what other engineers were creating. Since then, I’ve been looking to teach my readers, audience, and listeners about how the newest automotive generation works, what it can do, and, perhaps most importantly, what it can’t do. Since 2014, I have combined my wisdom in communication and engineering as a senior analyst with Navigant Research, covering select fuels, complex driving technologies and connected vehicles. I’m also a co-host of the Wheel Bearings podcast on https://wheelbearings.media/