The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid stands out among those offered by other manufacturers. A combination of smooth power delivery, comfortable ride, numerous amenities, and high mpgs make this Sonata an easy choice for those looking for an environmentally friendly vehicle.
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2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited |
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| Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission | MSRP | Price As-Tested | Rating |
| 2.0L GDI 4-Cylinder Hybrid | 193 hp | 140 lb-ft | 6-speed automatic | $30,100 | $35,765 | Buy it! |
Hyundai offers up a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, good for 154 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor add more horses, bringing the combined output to 193 hp. EPA fuel ratings are 39 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined, with a range of over 600 miles. Our real world gas mileage came in at 39.6 mpg.
Power goes to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. This is good news for those who enjoy driving, as many hybrids feature a joy-sapping continuously variable transmission (CVT). The transmission can be shifted manually, but shifts are very slow. You’re best reserving that feature for steep uphill or downhill sections, where you may need more control over the engine.
Our test model came in the Limited trim level. Standard features include 17-inch eco-spoke alloy wheels, HID headlights, LED taillights and running lights, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, leather wrapped heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, and satellite radio. The optional $4,500 Ultimate Package adds a panoramic sunroof, navigation with an 8-inch color touchscreen, lane departure and forward collision warnings, and smart cruise control.
The interior design is bordering on luxury, especially at this price point. Soft touch materials and leather abound, with comfortable, power adjustable seats. There are many redundant control buttons, which border on messy, but those who don’t want to cycle through the menus on the touchscreen every time they want to speed up the air conditioning fan will find them welcome.
The Sonata comes with a tire repair kit as the engineers put the battery in what usually holds the spare tire. This frees up trunk space to the tune of 13.3 cubic feet. Additional utility can be had by folding down the 60/40 split rear seat.
From the outside, the Sonata Hybrid has a few styling cues to differentiate it from it’s all-gas sibling. The front and rear fascias are unique to the hybrid, and there are a few aerodynamic tweaks to the sheet metal that bring the coefficient of drag to 0.24.
Behind the wheel the Sonata doesn’t deliver sporty performance, but it is still a comfortable place to spend some time. The car defaults to full EV power upon start up, but seamlessly adds the combustion engine when required. There is a Sport mode, but don’t look for any noticeable differences in performance. Rather, the Sport mode will hold gears a smidge longer for passing or merging. The ride is smooth across even the roughest pavement. The regenerative braking system is much more linear than in other hybrids, which can grab and bite very quickly.
There are of course other hybrids on the market. Camry, Accord, and Fusion all come in a hybrid option, but none come close to the Sonata in terms of a smooth ride and luxury features.
On the TFL Car scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets a Buy It!
The smooth power delivery combined with an array of high quality features and a $5,000 tax break make this Hyundai very intriguing indeed.
Check out this TFL Car 0-60 MPH test and review of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0L Turbo.
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Emme is a driver, reviewer, rabble rouser, and Gazelle who can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and either one of her blogs. |
