It’s not class leading in any way, but it marks an incremental improvement over the outgoing model
The latest Hyundai Sonata is a discretely stylish sedan with a clear European twist to the way it looks. As before, there are conventionally-powered versions and then there's the plug-in hybrid variant, the most efficeint of the lot.
This time, Hyundai has upped the PHEV's current storage capacity with a 13 percent larger 9.8 kWh battery. It's still not huge, but with a claimed range of 27 miles, it's definitely competitive.
Total combined power for this particular powertrain is 202 hp, 154 of which come from a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine. Hyundai says the Sonata PHEV is capable of returning 39 mpg US when in hybrid mode; topping up the battery will take no more than three hours from a Level 2 charging station.
In order to boost its efficiency, Hyundai has altered the Sonata PHEV's exterior to make it slipperier. A claimed 0.24 drag coefficient stands testament to that.
How will you be able to tell the PHEV apart from regular Sonatas? Well, it gets unique colors (Hyper White, Nocturne Black, Metropolis Gray and Skyline Blue), as well as badging to announce its green credentials, as well unique rims that not only look pretty cool but also help cull drag. Oh, and inside it features a unique gauge cluster that's quite different to the standard car's.
The Sonata PHEV kicks off at $34,600, to which you add another $835 in destination charges. If you want it in Limited trim with the Blue Pearl, then the starting price rises by $4,000.