Thoughts on the 2024 Sonata SEL AWD?

Wait, the SEL Sonata vs a Kia X-Line? Isn’t that the limited trim?

Like I love my Sonata, not gonna lie, but I picked it due to the tech features and all the bells and whistles it had. SEL is, as far as I recall, the base model which has some good features, but I doubt it has as many features and tech as the Kia Sportage X-Line.

@Laine
Lol, features are pretty much the same. Take a look for yourself:

Sonata SEL

STANDARD FEATURES:

  • ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

    • Blind-Spot Collision Warning
    • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
    • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
    • Lane Following Assist and Lane Keeping Assist
    • Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
    • LED Daytime Running Lights
    • Automatic Headlight Control
    • Rearview Camera
  • POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGY

    • 2.5L 4-Cylinder Engine
    • 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
    • HTRAC All-Wheel Drive
    • Drive Mode Select
  • COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

    • 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
    • LED Headlights & LED Taillights
    • Power Driver Seat w/ Lumbar Support
    • Electronic Parking Brake
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated Side Mirrors
    • Proximity Key Entry w/ Push Button Start
    • 4.2-Inch LCD Instrument Cluster Display
    • 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat
    • Dual Automatic Temperature Control
    • 12.3-Inch Touchscreen Audio System with AM/FM/SXM/HD Radio®
    • USB Ports & 12V Outlet
    • Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™
    • Bluelink+ All-Inclusive Connected Services (enrollment required)
    • Bluelink+ Multimedia Over-the-Air Updates (3-yr Complimentary Service)
    • SiriusXM® Radio w/90 Day Platinum trial

Sportage X-Line

MECHANICAL

  • 2.5L Gas Direct Injection (GDI) 4-Cyl Engine
  • 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Drive Mode Select
  • All-Wheel Drive w/ Center Lock

ADVANCED DRIVER-ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Lane Keeping Assist & Lane Following Assist
  • Driver Attention Warning & High Beam Assist
  • Parking Distance Warning - Reverse
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Safe Exit Warning

SAFETY

  • Dual Front Advanced Airbags
  • Front and Rear Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
  • Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Downhill Brake Control & Hill-Start Assist Control

INTERIOR, COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

  • 12.3” Touchscreen Display w/ Navigation
  • Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
  • Kia Connect w/ Comp 3-Yr Ultimate.* Where Available**
  • SiriusXM® w/ Free 3-Mo. Subscription*
  • Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control w/ Auto Defogger
  • Smart Key w/ Push Button & Remote Start
  • Wireless Charger (Front) / Front & Rear USB Charge Ports
  • Power Driver’s Seat w/ Power Lumbar
  • SynTex Seating Material w/ Heated Front Seats
  • 60/40 Split-Folding and Reclining Rear Seats
  • Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
  • Rear Occupant Alert

@Piper
Interesting, lol. I thought the X-Line was the top trim compared to the limited trim of the Sonata? Or maybe I am misremembering.

Laine said:
@Piper
Interesting, lol. I thought the X-Line was the top trim compared to the limited trim of the Sonata? Or maybe I am misremembering.

Ohh lol. No, the top trim for the Kia SUVs is called SX Prestige. The X-Line has its own top-end version called the X-Line Pro.

Great AWD Sedan. We have one for 8 months now and we put 8k on it. We love it so much and the warranty is unbeatable plus 3 years of free maintenance. Go ahead and get you one.

Bought one about 7 months ago, absolutely love it. So far it’s been good in the snow, but it’s only been light dustings of snow and not deep snow. My mom owns a 2008 or 2009 Hyundai Sonata FWD and it’s great in snow.

@Arlo
How’s the ride quality/road noise?

Piper said:
@Arlo
How’s the ride quality/road noise?

Also pretty good! It’s a pretty quiet car and drives smoothly even on the dirt roads I drive on.

Get them the SUV if they drive after sundown. Sits a little higher to avoid getting your eyes blasted by modern headlights or idiots with high beams on. Especially since the older you are, the worse your eyesight is so they will be more affected by those lights.

Now give me a Sonata N-Line with AWD.

One plus is that 2024 and newer Hyundai models now include Bluelink+ complimentary! So having the ability to remote start using a smartphone is a nice feature to have if you live in a cold or hot state.

@Brice
Is that the 3-year complimentary one?

Piper said:
@Brice
Is that the 3-year complimentary one?

Yes, on 2023 and older models, BlueLink was only complimentary for 3 years. But starting with 2024, Bluelink+ is included complimentary at no additional cost. https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/bluelinkplus

KIA’s version ‘KIA Connect’ is only complimentary for 3 years, before you have to pay the subscription.

@Brice
This is from the window sticker:
“Bluelink+ All-Inclusive Connected Services (enrollment required)
Bluelink+ Multimedia Over-the-Air Updates (3-yr Complimentary Service)”

Piper said:
@Brice
This is from the window sticker:
“Bluelink+ All-Inclusive Connected Services (enrollment required)
Bluelink+ Multimedia Over-the-Air Updates (3-yr Complimentary Service)”

Over-the-air updates are what’s complimentary for 3 years. After that, fees apply to continue receiving those updates. https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/over-the-air (tap the ‘i’ icon at the end of the first paragraph).

The connected services part, which is the app, is complimentary per the previous link I sent in my last comment.