Ideally, I’d like a N-Line w/ Limited spec options but I’m sure that’d kill the price. Alternatively, a Limited w/ 19inch wheels would be nice. With the general public though, the sweet spot in terms of pricing, negotiating and incentives would sit best with the SEL+. Great review, Kirk!
Would easily push the price to almost 40k. The KIA K5 GT with the GT1 package is almost 40k but still doesn't have as many tech features as the Hyundai Sonata but it's close.
The problem faced by the Sonata N-Line as well as the KIA K5 GT is the absence of either AWD or any form of Limited Slip Differential (electronic or mechanical) in a FWD sedan with nearly 300 HP and over 300 ft lbs of torque. In effect the customer is paying for power that cannot be used without wheel hop, torque steer, and tire abuse. Though the N-Line offers far more power than the versions of the Sonata with the 1.6L turbo it's hardly useful if it cannot be accessed. Hyundai doesn't offer AWD in any Sonata while KIA offers it as an option on lower trims. But the elephant in the room isn't the N-Line Sonata. It's the existence of the Stinger GT-Line with the same engine as the Sonata N-Line and KIA5 GT, RWD or RWD-biased AWD and an MSRP for a fully loaded version ranging from less than $38K (RWD) to slightly over $40K (AWD) plus destination, tax, title, and license.
Yes the stinger makes a good argument! I agree with the unusable power to an extent. I still need to test the N Line. The power might be unwieldy under 35mph and might be quite capable once up to speed. Must test to know for sure.
@@KirkKreifels The lack of AWD and/or LSD is most obvious in strong acceleration from a dead stop or in a curve calling for acceleration for an exit. I'm not surprised to see the absence of AWD in the Sonata N-Line and KIA5 GT. It follows a pattern set with performance versions of the Camry and the Altima. High performance midsize "family" sedans are a minuscule market segment. Their slim profit margins aren't big incentive for automakers to add expensive features like AWD (For example, Toyota says fewer than 5% of all Camrys are sold with the V6 engine.) On the other hand the absence of an LSD to a sedan with 300 HP and ft lbs of torque is inexcusable. My GTI with far less power provides it. It appears that Hyundai and KIA are banking on profiting from consumers who think performance consists exclusively of straight line 0-60 acceleration time on a flat surface. That may be enough to sell cars to a significant segment of American consumers but it certainly isn't a plus in terms of the brands' reputation.
Well my issue is I’m in college and the sonata SEL + is definitely in my price range, but going to the n line would put me in debt. It’s not as much of a no brained as you think. Maybe for someone paying cash, but paying monthly it adds a lot.
Morning, Kirk! THANKS FORTHE SHOUTOUT! It seems Hyundai keeps sending DARK COLOR versions of #elsiluro (fortunately that wasn't the "black on black", yuck!) instead of sending that GLOWING YELLOW that pops so nice (#Sarahntuned even mentioned in her review that colored and kinda wondered why she wasn't sent hers in that color).
SEL Plus...a loaded one is around $31K, but its a harder sell now that the N Line is out and worth the extra thousand or so. I considered one of these before my Elantra purchase, and I didn't think it was worth it the extra over the regular SEL model with the NA engine equipped with the Convenience Package that got you the pano moonroof, which stickers just under $30K, and obviously at the time, had the discounts.
Yes! There is. I have more footage of it too. The thing is, I don't know if it came out of the factory like that, OR some other press person had something to do with it.
Ideally, I’d like a N-Line w/ Limited spec options but I’m sure that’d kill the price. Alternatively, a Limited w/ 19inch wheels would be nice. With the general public though, the sweet spot in terms of pricing, negotiating and incentives would sit best with the SEL+. Great review, Kirk!
Thanks man!
Would easily push the price to almost 40k.
The KIA K5 GT with the GT1 package is almost 40k but still doesn't have as many tech features as the Hyundai Sonata but it's close.
Thank you for doing a sonata sel+ review.
Happy man!
N Line = Speed & Performance + Almost Everything else.
Limited = Absolutly EVERYTHING - Speed & Performance.
Yes looks really good along with the k5
Ahhh, the underappreciated Sonata. May be just be a bit late for this moment in time.
The problem faced by the Sonata N-Line as well as the KIA K5 GT is the absence of either AWD or any form of Limited Slip Differential (electronic or mechanical) in a FWD sedan with nearly 300 HP and over 300 ft lbs of torque. In effect the customer is paying for power that cannot be used without wheel hop, torque steer, and tire abuse. Though the N-Line offers far more power than the versions of the Sonata with the 1.6L turbo it's hardly useful if it cannot be accessed. Hyundai doesn't offer AWD in any Sonata while KIA offers it as an option on lower trims. But the elephant in the room isn't the N-Line Sonata. It's the existence of the Stinger GT-Line with the same engine as the Sonata N-Line and KIA5 GT, RWD or RWD-biased AWD and an MSRP for a fully loaded version ranging from less than $38K (RWD) to slightly over $40K (AWD) plus destination, tax, title, and license.
Yes the stinger makes a good argument! I agree with the unusable power to an extent. I still need to test the N Line. The power might be unwieldy under 35mph and might be quite capable once up to speed. Must test to know for sure.
@@KirkKreifels The lack of AWD and/or LSD is most obvious in strong acceleration from a dead stop or in a curve calling for acceleration for an exit. I'm not surprised to see the absence of AWD in the Sonata N-Line and KIA5 GT. It follows a pattern set with performance versions of the Camry and the Altima. High performance midsize "family" sedans are a minuscule market segment. Their slim profit margins aren't big incentive for automakers to add expensive features like AWD (For example, Toyota says fewer than 5% of all Camrys are sold with the V6 engine.) On the other hand the absence of an LSD to a sedan with 300 HP and ft lbs of torque is inexcusable. My GTI with far less power provides it. It appears that Hyundai and KIA are banking on profiting from consumers who think performance consists exclusively of straight line 0-60 acceleration time on a flat surface. That may be enough to sell cars to a significant segment of American consumers but it certainly isn't a plus in terms of the brands' reputation.
N line all the way.... Or they should just go all out and make a Full Blown N.. Stay Safe, Be Safe!!!
Wow not bad.... Hyundai is coming up and giving us more options, still more of a Camry XSE v6.
Hey Kirk ,
will you make a Video about Q2/H1 Sales ? Would love it .
Yes it will be up today or tomorrow :)
Well my issue is I’m in college and the sonata SEL + is definitely in my price range, but going to the n line would put me in debt. It’s not as much of a no brained as you think. Maybe for someone paying cash, but paying monthly it adds a lot.
Morning, Kirk! THANKS FORTHE SHOUTOUT!
It seems Hyundai keeps sending DARK COLOR versions of #elsiluro (fortunately that wasn't the "black on black", yuck!) instead of sending that GLOWING YELLOW that pops so nice (#Sarahntuned even mentioned in her review that colored and kinda wondered why she wasn't sent hers in that color).
#elSiluro haha no worries. Yes this color isn't stealing any eyes.
SEL Plus...a loaded one is around $31K, but its a harder sell now that the N Line is out and worth the extra thousand or so. I considered one of these before my Elantra purchase, and I didn't think it was worth it the extra over the regular SEL model with the NA engine equipped with the Convenience Package that got you the pano moonroof, which stickers just under $30K, and obviously at the time, had the discounts.
It's cool this Bagre but I prefer the Kia K5 ❗
Is there a molding misalignment between the left rear door and the left C-pillar? I think that I noticed it at the 1:00 mark.
Yes! There is. I have more footage of it too. The thing is, I don't know if it came out of the factory like that, OR some other press person had something to do with it.
Also keep in mind in my Santa FE review I had similar quality control issues with the driver's door...
@@KirkKreifels You have a good and gracious point. I'm sure that press cars have hard lives.
I missed ur old intro.
Don't worry. It'll find its way into the mix. Just trying this out haha
Awesome
You don't take into consideration that mpg matters more to some people than going super fast. Il take this over the n line any day.
When I filmed this gas was around $2 a gallon
Not crazy of the design, front of car looks like a Roach 🦗 La cucaracha lol. Good video though 👍
Haha yeah it's a hate it or love it front end.
Very similar to a G80