.
Inexpensive gas has made fuel efficiency less important
to buyers these days, but, the Environmental Protection
Agency's regulations are forcing automakers to improve
gas mileage. Many people are unaware that Hyundai offers
the seventh generation Sonata with a second gen hybrid
powertrain. Even better, there's also a plug in model.
This car's only real competition is the Ford
Fusion Energi. Now, if electric only range is
really important to you know that Ford rates it
at 19 miles, this one goes 27. Chevy Volt will go 50
miles on its battery pack but it's definitely a smaller car.
The plug-in version costs about $3,600 more than
the standard Sonata hybrid once a $4,910 federal
tax credit is applied. The two share a 2-liter gas
engine, but the electric motor that's built into
the transmission is more powerful in the plug-in.
Total horsepower is 202
The 50kW drive motor takes the place of the torque
converter and if you don't know what that is,
know that it's creative engineering.
Sonata's lithium-polymer battery, which charges
overnight on 120 current, takes a good chunk out
of the trunk. More on that later. Sonata fans will
notice the nose and tail are different from gas only models.
The advantage of a plug-in hybrid? I'm seeing
25 miles of pure electric range.
In all-electric EV mode though it feels quite
different than most electric cars because all
of them that I can think of like the Tesla Model
S here have single speed fixed gear ratios. Sonata
here has a six-speed transmission.
After the battery is spent, there's no range anxiety,
Sonata seamlessly defaults to a standard hybrid. Think
of it as an electric car with training wheels. At
speeds over 75 miles an hour the gas engine is forced on.
This is not a sporty car, it's meant to be comfortable,
and the ride quality is very controlled. It's also very
quiet, due in part to aerodynamics.
Packed with tech it doesn't feel like driving a science
experiment unless you call up screens that Bill Nye
the Science Guy would appreciate. Remember, Sonata
Plug-In doesn't need to be charged up, but that
would be missing the point huh?
Hybrids have a reputation for being underpowered
0-60 runs happen in about eight seconds, not too
shabby. and the low-end torque from the
electric motor make it feel faster.
Fuel economy? Well, I find that it's
easy to get forty miles per gallon in hybrid
mode driving like a normal person.
Concentrating on the unique gauges would improve
that. When sipping gas, the plug-in model is
slightly less efficient that the standard Sonata Hybrid.
There are some fuel efficiency
aids. At certain speeds when using the navi
system, it will actually tell you when to coast,
improving efficiency by about three percent.
Sonata hardly looks like the Starship Enterprise.
That continue inside, the conservative cabin appears
much like the gas-only version. This top-end Limited
model with adaptive cruise control, heated and vented
leather chairs, plus a heated wheel retails for
$39,435 before any government credits and incentives.
The touchscreen interface is straightforward with
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, there's a handy place for
phones. Sadly, a sunroof is not available.
If you're worried the batter compromises the
back seat, don't it's very roomy.
Two adults have loads of space back here, and three
will be fine so long as the 600-mile total
range of the car isn't being tested.
But, lets say you do. With all seats filled,
it means somebody travels without a suitcase,
or the group needs smaller luggage. I suspect
this alone will steer people toward the
standard Sonata hybrid with a larger trunk.
Not only does Hyundai's 10 year 100,000 mile warranty
apply, the battery pack is covered for the life of the
car. Numbers and efficiency aren't exciting, but the
conservatively handsome Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is
very refined and spacious, as long as a large trunk
isn't needed. Because really,
how long can this cheap gas thing go on?
Before you hop on your computer, mobile device,
or send me a note by carrier pigeon saying I
forgot about the Honda Accord Plug In Hybrid,
don't waste your time. Honda discontinued it in 2015.
Really, the Fusion Energi is the only real competitor
here, which is too bad. I do suggest looking at the
second generation Chevy Volt though even if it is smaller.
Toyota will have the Prius Prime soon,
its electric range is 22 miles.
Here's a feature that Hyundai and Kia use.
Stand by the car with the smart key in pocket or
purse and the trunk opens automatically. It beeps
a couple times as a warning so you can step away
if you don't want it to pop.
That's it for my look at the 2016 Hyundai
Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. Thanks for watching,
hope you learned something, I know I do every time
I drive a new car.
That's Driven, I'm Tom Voelk.