Which sporty Korean sedan: Hyundai Sonata N-Line or Genesis G70 2.0T?

On first appearances, choosing between the Genesis G70 2.0T and the Hyundai Sonata N-Line seems like an easy choice: take the Genesis’s rear-wheel-drive over the Hyundai’s front-wheel-drive, right?

What if we take a closer look at the spec sheets, though?

Sure, the Genesis comes powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-four good for 252 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, but the Hyundai is rated for 290 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque from a 2.5-liter, turbocharged inline-four.

The Hyundai Sonata N-Line's Smartstream 2.5-liter Turbo GDI engine.

The Genesis G70 2.0T's 2.0-liter Theta II T-GDi engine.

The Sonata also received faster zero-to-60 mph times, coming in at an average of under 5.5 seconds compared to the G70’s average of a hair under 6.5 seconds in tests by MotorTrend and Car and Driver.

Then, of course, there’s the price: MSRP for the 2.0T starts at $36,500, with the N-Line coming in $3200 less at $33,300.

The Genesis does have one advantage when it comes to numbers, however, as the G70 weighs in at 3516 pounds, compared to the Sonata’s 3552 pounds–a difference of only 34 pounds however.

Of course, this is looking purely at numbers, and doesn’t take into consideration factors that could impact driving dynamics like the fact that the G70 can currently be ordered with a six-speed manual, the Sonata’s total lack of a limited-slip differential–an option on the G70–or, perhaps the most obvious difference, that the Hyundai is only available in front-wheel-drive, whereas the Genesis is available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive.

Which would you be your pick, G70 or Sonata? And what about the Kia Stinger and the K5 GT, are they worth considering, too?

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