![]() ![]() But it was so bad in stop-and-go scenarios-you know, where most driving occurs. ![]() The eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic, developed in-house by Hyundai, did have some positive attributes, executing snappy downshifts and enabling effortless passing maneuvers. More so than the firm ride or even the front wheelspin, the issue that bothered us most was the transmission, which hiccups and stumbles more than Charlie Sheen on a bender. However, several staffers thought the starchy suspension was too stiff, diminishing the sedan's comfort in daily driving and offsetting the fun factor. Its model-specific chassis tuning features a firmer ride that helps the N Line feel more agile and composed, separating it from other Sonatas. Its steering is quicker than the normal models', and it supplies a satisfying amount of feedback. The Sonata N Line does have above-average entertainment value. A limited-slip diff would have improved straight-line traction and made the sleek four-door more fun to drive on curvy roads by helping it claw out of corners, but it's not part of the recipe. Our car switched between all-season and winter tires, but we experienced the same front-wheel-peel behavior with a Sonata N Line on summer rubber. The sedan's tendency to frantically spin its front tires when pulling away from a stop, especially on slick surfaces, was a tiresome trait and a common complaint. The latter omission is notable because it permits chronic traction issues-one of our biggest gripes with the sport-tuned Sonata. For example, sticky summer tires are optional, but a limited-slip differential is off the table. It's the only Sonata with a turbo four that makes a heady 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, yet the rest of its performance-oriented add-ons appear arbitrary. The confusion surrounding the Sonata's N Line designation was evidenced by its incongruous parts. "That transmission calibration, maybe even the transmission itself, has no business being in a modern production car." – K.C. "This transmission is a mess, so clunky at low speeds, which made crawling through parking lots and trying to be inch perfect when parallel parking very nerve-racking." - Caleb Miller, associate news editor It in no way controls the tire slip for maximum performance." - Dave VanderWerp, testing director All it does is raise the launch rpm, which just creates more wheelspin faster. "It drove more like a development mule than a finished performance sedan." - Rich Ceppos, Buyer's Guide deputy editor "The N Line was a real disappointment, especially coming from Hyundai, which has been doing such a great job integrating performance with comfort." - Elana Scherr, senior features editor ![]() Asked for their final thoughts, staff members participated in an impromptu roast: Eventually, our collective opinion largely soured on the sedan. As the miles mounted, however, the latter began to outnumber the former. In retrospect, the N Line designation caused confusion over the car's core mission, revealed in the logbook's initial mix of positive and negative comments. ![]()
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