Sonata

Make
Hyundai
Segment
Sedan

The Hyundai Sonata is one of the best alternatives to a German luxury sedan like the Volkswagen Arteon and it's just become even better thanks to a surprise update. With a new N-Line variant on the way with more power and sportier styling, the Sonata is more attractive than ever. However, just how attractive was something of a mystery until a leaked video yesterday briefly previewed the new model. Unfortunately, the video was only up for a few minutes, but Korean Car Blog was quick enough to grab a bunch of screenshots before the video disappeared and now we have these images to show you.

A massaged front bumper with larger intakes is the first thing that grabs your attention along with an N-Line-specific grille. The profile reveals aggressive new wheels that we are told measure 19-inches in diameter. Out at the back, a large faux diffuser houses a quad-exit exhaust arrangement. The taillight system also appears to be slightly tinted while fake vents behind the rear wheels add more muscle to the car's appearance.

Inside, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with an unusual three-spoke design bears red contrast stitching, a theme that continues with sporty fabric bucket seats that look incredible. There's no doubt that this sporty variant will stand out in a crowd, but what about the engine?

Unfortunately, the days of pretty engines in cars that cost under $100,000 are few and far between. The Sonata N-Line is no different with a big and bland plastic cover over the block. Still, that won't be too much of a concern when the 2.5-liter four-banger produces 286 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is very similar to the output of sister company Kia's K5 GT. While we have to wait a while to discover what else about the new Sonata N-Line is noteworthy, we expect that many of the K5 GT's interesting features will be shared here. We shouldn't have long to wait though - the car is expected to launch in South Korea sometime this quarter.