Hyundai Sonata Trim Levels Compared

Finding the Right Sonata Trim for Your Indianapolis Drive

Six trims. Three powertrains. One Sonata badge. Picking the right one comes down to how you drive around Avon and Indianapolis. Maybe that’s a daily run up US 36. Maybe it’s a weekend trip to Brownsburg.

• The current Sonata lineup spans six trims, from the value-priced SE to the turbocharged N Line and three hybrid models.
• SEL Sport is the only trim with HTRAC all-wheel drive, a real plus on icy Indiana mornings.
• Hybrid trims reach up to 51 mpg combined, while the N Line makes 290 horsepower.

SE, SEL Sport, and N Line: The Gas-Powered Sonata Trims

The SE opens the lineup. It runs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. That’s 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Standard gear includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Hyundai’s full SmartSense safety suite comes standard, too. Step up to the SEL Sport, and you gain 18-inch wheels and heated front seats. You also get wireless device charging and dual automatic temperature control. Add HTRAC all-wheel drive if you want it. That option helps a lot when Hendricks County roads turn slick in winter. The N Line tops the gas lineup. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine makes 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Power runs through an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. You also get a standard panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch navigation screen, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo. Highway Driving Assist comes standard, too. None of that shows up on the SE or SEL Sport.

Blue Hybrid, SEL Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid: Built to Stretch a Tank

Hyundai’s three hybrid trims share one setup: a 2.0-liter hybrid engine paired with a 39-kW electric motor. Combined output is 192 horsepower. Each trim adds something different, though. The Blue Hybrid wins on fuel economy. It’s rated at an EPA-estimated 51 mpg combined. That adds up fast if you cross Indianapolis on I-465 every day. The SEL Hybrid adds heated front seats, wireless charging, and a panoramic sunroof. You lose almost nothing in mpg. The Limited Hybrid sits at the top. It adds leather seats and ventilated front seats. You also get a heated steering wheel, Bose audio, and Highway Driving Assist. A Surround View Monitor helps with tight parking downtown, too. All three hybrids use a 6-speed automatic. They’re front-wheel drive only. If all-wheel drive matters more than mpg to you, stick with the SEL Sport.

Hyundai Sonata Trim Levels Compared Side by Side

Once you see the Hyundai Sonata trim levels compared side by side, the gaps between them get a lot easier to picture.

Is the Hyundai Sonata a Luxury Sedan?

Not in the traditional sense, though that’s part of the appeal. The Sonata competes in the midsize sedan class. It goes up against cars like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, not luxury nameplates. That said, the Limited Hybrid brings some upscale touches. Think leather seats, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Those feel closer to a luxury car than a mainstream one. Want those extras without the luxury price tag? The Sonata’s top trims are a smart place to land.

Test Drive Every New Sonata Trim at Ray Skillman Avon Hyundai

We keep a full range of Sonata trims on our lot. Come compare the SE and N Line side by side. Or park a Blue Hybrid next to a Limited Hybrid before you decide. Our sales team can walk you through which safety features and tech come standard on each trim. We’re happy to set up back-to-back test drives too. Feel the difference between the base engine and the turbocharged N Line for yourself. Stop by our Avon showroom, just off US Highway 36. We’ll help you find the Sonata that fits your budget and your drive around Indianapolis.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hyundai Sonata

Is the Hyundai Sonata a luxury sedan?
The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan, not a luxury model, though its upper trims, like the Limited Hybrid, include leather seating, ambient lighting, and other upscale features.

What is the difference between the Sonata SE and SEL Sport?
The SEL Sport adds 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, wireless device charging, dual automatic temperature control, and the option of HTRAC all-wheel drive, none of which come standard on the SE.

How much horsepower does the Sonata N Line have?
The Sonata N Line produces 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine.

What is the fuel economy of the Sonata Hybrid?
The Blue Hybrid trim is EPA-estimated at 51 mpg combined, while the SEL Hybrid and Limited Hybrid are EPA-estimated at 47 mpg combined.

Does the Sonata offer all-wheel drive?
Yes, HTRAC all-wheel drive is available on the SEL Sport trim, though it is not offered on any other Sonata trim.

Which Sonata trim handles Indiana winters best?
The SEL Sport with HTRAC all-wheel drive is the strongest choice for Indiana winters, since it is the only Sonata trim built to send power to all four wheels on icy roads around Avon and Indianapolis.