Reliable Hyundai Sonata adds style, performance

 Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- For years, I've recommended the Hyundai Sonata to folks looking for a midsize sedan, arguing that it's a dependable, capable car loaded with standard features that typically cost more in the formidable lineup of vehicles competing in Sonata's class.

I've been thanked for that recommendation multiple times.

For the 2021 model year, there's much more to like in the Sonata. That's especially true in my tester, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line. It's the version getting the most buzz.  And rightly so.

Hyundai's "N Line" designation translates to major doses of sportiness and performance, and the South Korean automaker was generous on both counts.

Power comes from turbocharged 2.5-liter turbo-4 with 290 horsepower, making this the most powerful Sonata ever. The tester responded enthusiastically from standing starts, and its freeway characteristics were satisfyingly robust.

The Sonata effortlessly blasted into tight spots or out of harm's way with very little urging from my right foot.  It hugged the line on sharp corners and responded with firm agility and no sway in slalom runs.

A fun sedan to drive in every way.

And it looked good with twin dual exhausts and sweet angular cuts on the hood.  For some reason, fellow auto reviewers were not pleased with the looks of the cascading grille.  I have no idea why, given its relatively understated appearance compared with over-the-top grilles fronting other sedan models.

Hyundai calls the look "Sensuous Sportiness." Not sure that's how I would describe it, but OK, there's a definite sexiness to the machine.

Inside, the tester was loaded with state-of-the-art safety technology, comfort and convenience features -- much more than one would expect in a sporty sedan starting at $33,300.

Interior room is admirable in this class, especially in the back seats.

Even with the peppy power plant, fuel mileage is very nice at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

In sum, this is everything a proper midsize sedan should be ... definitely worth considering amid a sea of crossover sport-utility vehicles being produced by the thousands.

And for those who say they prefer to buy American, consider these numbers on the Sonata N Line: 45 percent of the parts are of U.S. or Canadian origin, and the final assembly point for my ride was in Montgomery, Alabama.

Have Camry or Accord on your test-drive list?  The 2021 Sonata should be on it too.