2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution from its predecessor, adopting a more fluid and curvier form reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, was evident in the car's edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. The E-Class maintained its elegance across its various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible. However, the standing hood ornament, a classic Mercedes hallmark, was no longer available, replaced by a more popular Sport style featuring a large star emblem in the grille. The interior of the E-Class was a luxurious blend of rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre, with intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The cabin was equipped with two 12-inch screens, offering a modern and lavish experience, unmatched by any car in its price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a bold redesign for the 2020 model year, characterized by its distinctive styling from the broad grille to the tapered tail. The Sonata N Line further enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the Sonata a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line offered sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, and dark chrome accents. A panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space, while the interior materials were a step above the Elantra N Line. Despite its sporty design, the Sonata N Line balanced comfort and lateral support, making it a practical choice for both spirited driving and everyday use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes under the hood, transitioning from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup provided extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, while the AMG E63 S boasted a hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Despite its performance capabilities, the E-Class maintained a focus on comfort and stability, with features like variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and launch control helped channel power to the front wheels. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, along with an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and faster steering contributed to its dynamic performance. During test drives on mountain roads, the Sonata N Line demonstrated impressive handling, with minimal understeer and body roll. Despite its front-wheel-drive layout, the car felt well-planted and responsive, offering a comfortable ride without sacrificing performance. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined, with real-world testing averaging 9.9 L/100 km.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks more intuitive. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, each with its own advantages. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The coupe and convertible models had less rear seat space, but the wagon included a stowable rear-facing jump seat for added versatility. Despite its luxury, the E-Class lacked some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats in certain trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with a balance of comfort and lateral support. The rear seats, while not as spacious as expected, included air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's interior storage was practical, with a 453-litre trunk and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The hands-free trunk release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle meant getting hands dirty when closing the trunk. The panoramic sunroof and quality materials enhanced the cabin's appeal, though hard plastic seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface and natural voice processing. The system offered a range of features, including live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, they were not wireless. The E-Class also included advanced driving assists, capable of limited autonomous driving. The instrument cluster offered customizable displays, allowing drivers to choose between traditional and modern graphics.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link connected services, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot. The absence of a tuning knob was a drawback, and the voice recognition technology was not always reliable. The Sonata N Line also offered ambient noise tracks for relaxation, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS for the 2020 model. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, driver-attention monitoring, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The N Line also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and a Safe Exit Warning system. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings from the IIHS, though the N Line had not been independently tested. The Highway Drive Assist system worked smoothly, providing a stress-free driving experience.