Overview & Reviews

To create its Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai started with a modified version of the Sonata's conventional four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission, then sandwiched an electric motor in between them. Supplying electricity is a lithium-polymer battery pack that's lighter and more compact than traditional nickel-metal hydride batteries. The result is lively performance along with high fuel economy numbers. Some rival hybrids offer even better mpg numbers, however, so we suggest checking out a couple other midsize hybrid sedans before you make a final decision.

Current Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
At the core of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid midsize sedan is a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain that features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque, combined with a 35kW electric motor. Together they produce a peak of 199 hp. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.

The EPA estimates Sonata Hybrid fuel economy at 38 combined. However, in Edmunds fuel economy testing of both the Sonata Hybrid and the mechanically similar Kia Optima Hybrid, we found that both fall a few mpg short of these estimates. Meanwhile, its competitor hybrid sedans are substantially more efficient.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has two trims levels: base and Hybrid Limited. Base standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, automatic headlights, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Blue Link telematics and a sound system with a USB/iPod interface. The Limited's added perks include 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a navigation system and an upgraded sound system. The Hybrid Limited also offers an optional panoramic sunroof.

The Hybrid's interior is virtually identical to the regular Sonata's, save for the typical hybrid display that monitors the gasoline-electric powertrain and coaches the driver on how to drive in a more fuel-efficient manner. Both front and rear seats offer adult-sized legroom, although there's slightly less rear headroom than most rivals due to the sloping rear roof line. The quiet cabin and quality materials add an upscale quality. But as with most hybrids, the powertrain's battery pack eats into the available trunk space, reducing it from 16.4 to 12.1 cubic feet.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid uses a modified six-speed automatic in lieu of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that's common to other hybrids. Some drivers may prefer this, as it provides a more familiar feel as it works its way through the gears. Many hybrids have been characterized as having unusual, less-than-smooth acceleration, but the Sonata Hybrid's less advanced hybrid system (especially the six-speed automatic transmission) makes it feel more like a regular car. The brakes, on the other hand, require more acclimation than normal for a hybrid sedan and drivers may dislike the especially unorthodox feel. We've also found the Sonata Hybrid's ride and handling to be not as sophisticated as the class-leading hybrid sedans from Ford and Honda.

Used Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Models
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid debuted as a 2011 model. The following year brought the Blue Link telematics system. Potential buyers should note that these earlier Sonata Hybrids were prone to occasionally shuddering while accelerating at low speeds as well as having an even more clumsy, uneven braking feel.

For 2013, those issues were addressed with upgrades to the powertrain and battery pack. That year also brought a bump in trunk capacity, from 10.7 cubic feet to 12.0 cubes. Other than slight feature differences, such as lacking a rearview camera and a touchscreen audio interface, these post-'13 Sonata Hybrids are similar to today's version.

User Reviews:

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  ALMOST HAPPY - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By baddog6 - March 16 - 2:30 am

  Traded my Town And Country in July and in agreement with most of the positive reviews but very unhappy with a rapid jerking on acceleration from lower speed.Does not feel like shifting or transittion from gas to elect. and does not do it all the time. Took to dealer and it ran fine and was told no reports of any problems then found edumonds review on line so don"t know what to think.Have bought over 20 cars and not had this problem and dont want it now.

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  2011 Sonata Hybrid with Premium package - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By marnold4 - March 3 - 6:34 pm

  We just have about 350 miles on the car but so far its great. Plenty of pickup to get on the highway or pass, excellent fuel economy (baby it on the highway, on the flat or slight downhill, and you can hit 50 mpg fairly easily). The interior design is outstanding, nice leather seats, Sound system with Infinity speakers and sub-woofer work nicely. Its nice to have a transmission that actually shifts, and you can shift it in manual mode. BlueTooth works great with our HTC Droid phones and the i-Pod touch works perfectly as well. Nice sound and reception on HD radio stations in the area. The car has more of a luxury feel than a sporty handler for driving.

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  Re-Review 2011 Sonata Hybrid "Premium" - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By marnold4 - December 26 - 12:27 am

  We have about 3500 miles on the car and are pleased. Plenty of pickup to get on the highway or pass, excellent fuel economy. We are able to consistently get the advertised mileage but to do so you need to modify how you drive a bit. If we hammer it like we used to do with our V6 Accord the mileage drops. (Average real-world mileage, for us, calculated at fill ups in mixed driving is 36) The interior design is outstanding. Its nice to have a transmission that actually shifts. The Blue-Tooth works great with our smart phones and the i-Pod touch works perfectly as well. No transmissions leaks or steering, or shift problems. The car has more of a luxury feel than a sporty handler for driving.

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  Very comfort ride but poor gas consumption - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By gleung81 - September 19 - 10:38 pm

  I was attracted by the high tech package and the exterior design. Very well designed on the looking. But absolutely disappointed with the MPG. I knew the MPG will be off a bit from the sticker, but didnt expect THAT MUCH of a difference. Sticker states 5.2L/100km combined, I am getting 7.1 - 7.3L/100km. This is no where near to the sticker MPG. I am a gentle driver, so its not my driving style issue. Acceleration response time is slow, need to give an extra 1 - 2 second when making a left. I wasnt aware of this when I had my test drive, start to realize as I drive it daily. Not sure if this is common for all hybrid. Alignment is starting to pull to the left after 2 weeks.

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  Blulink Remote Starter Problem - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By alejandromg85 - September 1 - 5:21 am

  When using the remote starter to warm the car in the winter the car doesnt warm up cause it always start in hybrid mode. As everybody knows the heater works with the hot water of the engine, if the engine doesnt start the water never warms up. I let the dealer know and they didnt do anything about it. So, a 30.000 dollars car cant keep you warm in the winter =S

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  Hybrid Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By hasbro_t - August 29 - 12:49 am

  I wanted to wait a few months to rate this car and have driven it for 3 months now so still early but here are my findings. Hyundai quoted 35 city and 45 hwy mpg. I havent done any extensive hwy driving but city is about 25 mpg. I assume that is less than if I bought the standard gas model. I live in the desert of So Cal and since owning this car, I have run the A/C nearly all the time I have driven it. I have noted a better MPG when not using the A/C. There are some quirks, like at a stop light, if the engine kick on to charge the battery while the A/C is on, there is a slight jolt forward. I have looked into my rearview twice to see if I was rear-ended, lol.

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  No spare tire! - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Scott Mulrooney - August 6 - 1:36 pm

  We test drove the Hyundai Sonata hybrid, the Ford Fusion hybrid & the Toyota Prius V hybrid. We would have bought the Sonata except for the fact that it did not have a spare tire nor any place to store a spare tire. The battery for the hybrid is in the floor of the truck so there is no space for a spare. That is the sole reason we did not buy this car. It was going to b my wifes car & I did not feel comfortable, and she did not feel safe, driving around w/ only a fix-a-flat. Turns out none of the 2016 Hyundais have spare tires. This was a strategy to save them a lit bit on weight & a little bit on cost. U can buy a donut spare from the dealer for $250-300 but whereas the other Hyundai models have a designated place to put it, the hybrid does not. We own a 2006 Sonata & luv it. We wanted the better gas mileage & would have upgraded had it not been for this issue. The Edmunds expert review does not mention this. We bought the Prius V in the end.

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  Impressed - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By JM - July 5 - 7:58 am

  Went from a Genesis Coupe to the 2016 Sonata Hybrid SE. The Sonata has a lot of nice features and it is very quiet, we call it the golf cart since in EV mode its really quiet. Measuring gas mileage the old fashioned way; miles vs gallons pumped, my first tank gave me mixed driving 42.2 MPG. My mixed driving is back roads, towns and I-95 traffic moving at just under NASCAR speeds with AC all the way. Daily drives using the computer, I have seen everything from 36 - 89 MPG at shut off. The car shifts smooth and you may not know if you are on battery or gas unless you look at your gauges. The car has three driving modes; eco, regular, sport and you can feel real differences in all of them. On another note this car gets the same gas mileage as my motorcycle ....