Hyundai Sonata vs Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid showcased a modern and sleek design with significant styling updates. Its front fascia was streamlined, featuring a single slim lightbar known as the “seamless horizon lamp,” which added a contemporary flair to the sedan. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it, drawing a clear family resemblance to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 while avoiding some of its more polarizing design elements. The rear end of the Sonata Hybrid also received updates, with a lightbar forming a wide “H” shape, reminiscent of the new Hyundai Santa Fe. Despite these changes, the side profile remained similar to the 2023 model, with standard 18-inch alloy wheels on the Preferred-Trend trim and 19-inch wheels on the N Line trim in Canada. The interior saw updates with a redesigned dash, a new T-shaped steering wheel, and a relocated gear shifter to the steering column, enhancing the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Sonata presented a harmonious blend of its new face with the curvy bodywork, offering a long, sleek, and well-proportioned profile. However, the rear styling updates were less successful, with angular lighting and multiple character lines creating a somewhat incongruent appearance. The trim levels, Preferred-Trend and N Line, influenced the car's overall look, with pricing starting at $36,019 for the Preferred-Trend and $42,619 for the N Line. The interior of the Sonata N Line featured a dark grey colour scheme, deviating from the typical black found in sport-tuned vehicles, with red stitching and metal pedal covers adding a touch of excitement. The quality of interior materials was commendable, with clearly marked switchgear and a high-tech dual digital screen setup under a single display panel, although the speedometer numbers were somewhat obscured by the steering wheel.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the first time, available on the Preferred-Trend trim for an additional $2,000. The base model featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The N Line trim offered a turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, available from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm, with power transferred via an 8-speed wet-clutch dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Despite the AWD option, the N Line remained front-wheel-drive only. The Sonata Hybrid was praised for its steering feel and handling, with a configurable driver-information display enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata's base model also featured a 191-horsepower, 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an optional AWD for Preferred-Trend models. The upcoming Sonata Hybrid, set for a 2026 release, promised a 192-hp drivetrain with immediate electric motor torque and an estimated fuel economy of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Sonata N Line, with its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, offered a thrilling 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission powering the front wheels. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, rack-mounted electric steering, and quad-outlet exhaust system contributed to its dynamic performance. Despite some tire squeal, the N Line excelled in handling, with firm suspension tuning providing a comfortable yet athletic ride. The brakes were easy to modulate, and the steering wheel offered a satisfying grip, making every drive enjoyable. However, the N Line's fuel efficiency was observed at 12.6 L/100 km, higher than the NRCan's estimate of 8.8 L/100 km.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with 975 millimetres of front-seat headroom, slightly above the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and 950 mm of rear-seat headroom. The front row prioritized legroom with 1,170 mm, while the rear passengers had 885 mm. Heated and ventilated front seats were standard in the Preferred-Trend trim, with the N Line featuring sport seats without ventilation. The steering wheel's slimmer rim was appreciated for comfort, and the trunk close button added an extra convenience feature.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a standard panoramic glass sunroof and a grey interior, enhancing the cabin's spacious and welcoming feel. The heated and power-adjustable front seats with fabric inserts provided good long-distance comfort and a proper driving position, although seat ventilation was only available on the Preferred-Trend model. Rear passengers benefited from new air conditioning vents and ample headroom and legroom, though long-legged individuals needed to be cautious of the hard plastic front seatback panels. Storage space was thoughtfully designed, with a roomy bin under the centre armrest, smartphone slots in the door panels, and a wireless smartphone charger on the centre console. The trunk offered a 441-litre cargo area, with enclosed hinges for easier packing and full-size suitcases fitting when stored on their sides.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a unique driver’s side front USB-C port with selectable functionality, allowing it to switch between data-transmitting and charging-only modes. This was particularly useful for those using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, standard on all trims. The curved display combined the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display into a single panel, with the N Line boasting a pair of 12.3-inch screens. The infotainment system included voice controls, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system on the N Line, and a six-speaker sound system on the Preferred-Trend trim.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel under a single curved panoramic display. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the ability to connect two smartphones to Bluetooth simultaneously. The N Line added an on-board navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, digital key technology, and an 8-speaker Bose premium sound system. Hyundai’s infotainment system was praised for its intuitive user interface, traditional knobs and buttons for stereo volume and radio tuning, and a responsive voice recognition system.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid included standard safety features such as blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with junction turning detection, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality. The infotainment system made it easy to access and manage these safety features, with clear graphics explaining each function.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with improvements in rear-seat passenger protection and structural integrity. Standard advanced driving assistance systems included forward collision warning with intersection assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Sonata N Line featured Highway Driving Assist, a semi-autonomous technology pairing adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Sonata also received five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for driver’s side protection in a frontal-impact collision.