Family midsize sedans are not the hottest of tickets in today’s car market, but the Hyundai Sonata helps give the group oxygen with its dashing looks, abundant technologies, and a lot of bang for the buck.
Another sustaining factor for Sonata is the broad selection in its model lineup: a fuel-efficient eco-oriented hybrid version available in three different trim levels; gasoline versions in SE, SEL, SEL Plus, and Limited trims with a choice of two engines; and a new N Line performance-directed model introduced last year.
The SE trim, at $24,350 the most affordable 2022 Sonata, has 16-inch alloy wheels, premium cloth seats, LED headlights and taillights, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six-speaker audio and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. Standard active-safety technology includes forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Power comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and a respectable fuel-economy rating of 28 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined.
The SEL model runs on the same engine as the SE, but its $27,145 price buys 17-inch wheels and adds an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, dual automatic climate control, SiriusXM satellite radio, hands-free trunk opening, and several other niceties.
And so goes the lineup, building on more features and price increases, culminating in the top-tier Limited model with near luxury-level feature status at a highly competitive $35,295. Along the way, a turbocharged engine enters the scene for the SEL Plus and Limited models. Its 180 horsepower is less than the 2.5L but 195 pound-feet of torque blows it out of the water, so to speak.
The Sonata hybrid yields 50 mpg city and 54 mpg highway with 192 horsepower and a starting price of less than $29,000 for the Blue model.
Every 2022 Sonata has front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission (for hybrids it’s a six-speed automatic).
I drove the Sonata N Line model, still in the family sedan ballpark but sneaking up on sports sedan territory with a 290-horsepower engine, 311 pound-feet of torque, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, exclusive exterior trimmings, rear spoiler and sport-type steering wheel.
Some extra horsepower always comes in handy for various reasons, but in this case it takes quite a toll on fuel efficiency. The 2.5L is rated 28/38/32 mpg and the turbo-4 is 27/37/31 mpg. Meanwhile, the N Line engine is getting 23/33/27 mpg.
Sonata’s flashy styling is embellished (some would say marred) by liberal use of chrome accents and a wild front end. Bright accents look good around the windows, but the strips running alongside the hood from the windshield to the face could be considered overkill. To their credit, when headlights are turned on those accent strips also light up to connect with them.
The controversial grille looks good if viewed head-on, but from a slightly sideways perspective its scowl-like downward angle is revealed, perhaps making people who want everyone to smile feel uncomfortable.
An attractive, tech-laden and physically accommodating interior is a Sonata strong point. My test car’s panoramic sunroof and 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 12-speaker Bose premium audio were legit embellishments.
2022 HYUNDAI SONATA N LINE
Base price, including destination charge: $34,495
Price as driven: $34,644
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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