Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

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2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Overview

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid ranks eleven out of nineteen Midsize Cars.

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid features good fuel economy, a convenient and well-equipped interior, and decent spectacle. Its lower ranking is less indicative of its overall quality than of the excellence of its rivals.

Scorecard

Overall: 8.Three
Critics’ Rating: 8.Two
Spectacle: 7.7
Interior: 8.Three
Safety: 9.7
Reliability:

Pros & Cons

Roomy seats
Hushed cabin
Larger trunk than many hybrid competitors
Excellent warranty coverage

Some hybrid rivals are more fuel-efficient
Grabby brakes

Notable for 2017

Standard 7-inch touch screen substitutes 5-inch touch screen
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and HD Radio now standard

2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Specs

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Rankings and Research

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid ranking is based on its score within the Midsize Cars category. Presently the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a score of 8.Three out of ten which is based on our evaluation of twenty two chunks of research and data elements using various sources.

Rankings

# eleven in Midsize Cars
# ten in Hybrid and Electrical Cars

2017 Sonata Hybrid Pictures

2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review

Is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a Good Car?

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a solid car, but it doesn`t rank as well as the nonhybrid Hyundai Sonata or most other hybrids in its class. It gets decent fuel economy for a hybrid and offers a plush rail quality that`s good for daily driving. The seats are comfy and spacious, and there`s above-average room in the trunk. The Sonata Hybrid also includes modern amenities like an intuitive infotainment system that features standard smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Its downsides are related to its spectacle. While acceleration is swift from a standstill, you indeed have to punch the gas to keep the car moving at high speeds. And when you`re ready to slow down, the hybrid`s regenerative brakes feel grabby and inconsistent.

Should I Buy the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

The two thousand seventeen Sonata Hybrid could be for you if you want a nicely appointed, reliable hybrid that won`t break the bank. However, you’d be clever to shop around before committing to a Sonata Hybrid. No matter what your main consideration is, there`s very likely a better alternative available. The Toyota Prius costs less and is much more fuel-efficient. Both the Honda Accord Hybrid and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid are slightly more expensive than the Sonata Hybrid, but they supply better spectacle and an overall better package.

We Did the Research for You: twenty two Chunks of Data Analyzed

To help you determine if the two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a good fit for you, we analyzed twenty two lumps of data – including professional auto journalist reviews, crash test results, and reliability ratings – and created one comprehensive accomplished review. In brief, we`ve done most of the hard work so you don`t have to.

The Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Plug-in Hybrid were last redesigned for the two thousand sixteen model year and receive only minor updates for 2017. As a result, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from the two thousand sixteen and two thousand seventeen model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

The autos team at U.S. News & World Report has a combined seventy five years of practice in the industry, and we`ve been helping consumers make informed buying decisions about cars, trucks, and SUVs for almost a decade. Our reviews our fully impartial; we don`t accept expensive gifts, trips, or incentives from car companies, and any ads on our site are placed through outside sources.

How Much Does the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Cost?

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at $26,000, which is above average for the midsize car class but close to the lowest-priced hybrid model in the class. Other midsize hybrid rivals are more expensive, like the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ($27,875) and the Honda Accord Hybrid ($29,605). The compact hybrid Toyota Prius starts at $24,685.

The Sonata Hybrid only has one extra trim, which costs $30,100. Otherwise, the lineup moves to a Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, retailing for $34,600. An upper trim version of the plug-in model starts at $38,600.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for excellent savings at your local Hyundai dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Hyundai deals page.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid or Honda Accord Hybrid?

The Honda Accord Hybrid is a better car than the Sonata Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid leads the class in fuel efficiency, and it gets about ten more mpg in the city than the Sonata does. However, the Sonata Hybrid is also available in a plug-in form, making it a better choice if most of your driving doesn’t stray too far from home. It`ll take about $Trio,600 more to get into the Accord Hybrid than the Sonata Hybrid, but your money goes a long way. The Accord Hybrid comes with a large suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features, which you can only get in the Sonata Hybrid by upgrading a trim level. To get more in the Hyundai, you`ll have to purchase a package at a cost higher than that of the Honda.

Interior accommodations are about the same inbetween the two cars, with laudable materials and build quality and roomy back seats. The Accord Hybrid has an optional 2nd touch screen for its infotainment system that makes controlling some features difficult. The Sonata Hybrid, on the other arm, has an infotainment system that`s straightforward and effortless to use. Additionally, the Sonata Hybrid comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; they’re optional in the Accord Hybrid. When it comes to engines, the Sonata Hybrid wants for more power at high speeds but remains quiet, while the Accord Hybrid has ample muscle under its fetish mask, but its engine gets noisy under hard acceleration.

Which Is Better: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid or Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?

The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is one of the highest-ranked midsize cars, hybrid and nonhybrid alike. While the Malibu Hybrid costs almost $Two,000 more than the Sonata Hybrid, it’s a much better hybrid choice. Since there`s only one trim to choose from, options are left to reasonably priced packages, which means you can get a better tooled Malibu for your money. Like the Accord, the Malibu isn`t available as a plug-in hybrid. However, the Malibu Hybrid has far and away the best spectacle of other hybrids in the class, including the Sonata. The Malibu Hybrid gets moving quickly and has a quick shifting transmission. The Malibu Hybrid has a convenient rail similar to the Sonata Hybrid’s, but it also exhibits a bit of agility and athleticism that should make it attractive to those who appreciate spectacle.

Which Is Better: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid or Toyota Prius?

It`s natural to compare any hybrid to the Toyota Prius, which is synonymous with the word «hybrid.» The Prius falls under the compact cars class and as such, it`s a little cheaper than the larger Sonata Hybrid. For about $1,300 less, you can get phenomenal fuel economy (over fifty mpg), as well as ten more cubic feet of cargo room. That room further increases when you fold down the rear seats. The Prius strikes the Sonata Hybrid in driver assistance and advanced safety features, with several that come standard. On the entertainment front, the Prius doesn’t suggest Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which are both standard in the Sonata Hybrid.

When it comes to spectacle, the Prius produces a more engaging driving practice than the Sonata Hybrid, while still retaining a convenient rail quality. Both cars accelerate quickly but can feel strained when getting shoved to higher speeds. All things considered, the Prius is a very good car that offers greater utility, fuel economy, and spectacle than the Sonata Hybrid.

Sonata Hybrid Interior

How Many People Does the Sonata Hybrid Seat?

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a four-door sedan that seats five. Up front, you and a passenger will be convenient on the well-cushioned seats. Passengers in the rear will be especially comfy, since the Sonata Hybrid has one of the roomiest back seats in the class. Rear-seat headroom is a bit more limited than legroom because of the sloping roofline, so tall passengers may be better off in the front.

Sonata Hybrid and Car Seats

The Sonata Hybrid has two accomplish sets of LATCH car-seat connections on its rear outboard seats. It also has a top tether anchor for the middle seat. The lower anchors are effortless to find and fasten to because they`re behind plastic covers at the base of the seat instead of buried in the cushions. A layout like that is usually found in more upscale or luxury cars. The top tether anchors are lightly utilized as well, and there shouldn`t be any need to budge the front seats forward to accommodate car seats in the back. Overall, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is one of the most pleasant cars to live with if you frequently use car seats.

Sonata Hybrid Interior Quality

Inwards the two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, you may feel like you’re railing around in a more expensive car. Materials across are high quality, and the cabin is well-built. It’s quiet, too, so you can lightly talk with passengers.

Sonata Hybrid Cargo Space

Compared to other midsize hybrids, the Sonata Hybrid has a fairly large trunk, with 13.Three cubic feet of cargo space. The Honda Accord Hybrid has slightly more room at 13.9 cubic feet, and the Chevy Malibu Hybrid has less space at 11.6 cubic feet. Also notable about the Malibu Hybrid is its constricting battery placement behind the rear seats, which takes away a lot of usable space. The Toyota Prius is a hatchback, so naturally it has ample cargo room (even for a compact car). You`ll get 24.6 cubic feet of space behind the back seats and geysers more with the seats folded.

The larger battery in the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid takes up more cargo space in the trunk, leaving you with only 9.9 cubic feet of space.

Every Sonata Hybrid model comes with a hands-free power trunk lid. With the proximity key in your bag or pocket, treatment the trunk and the car will detect the key, then pop open the lid. If you plan on hauling long items, you’ll have to buy the Hybrid Limited model. It’s the only trim that comes with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat to increase cargo space.

Sonata Hybrid Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration are standard across the entire Sonata Hybrid line for the two thousand seventeen model year. With these systems, you can access some of your phone’s apps on the touch screen. For example, you can use Spotify or Pandora to stream music, or navigate using your phone’s maps app. The Sonata Hybrid’s infotainment system is plain to use thanks to its clear graphics and intuitive menu structure. Still, it’s mounted high on the center stack so you may have trouble reaching the touch screen.

You can’t get Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility at all in the Toyota Prius. They`re both only optional in the Honda Accord Hybrid, while Chevrolet includes them as standard in the Malibu Hybrid.

The Sonata Hybrid’s climate and audio controls are set using physical buttons and knobs rather than the touch screen. The design makes the interior look a bit more dated than some rivals, but the buttons and knobs make switching the radio station or enlargening the temperature a painless task. Some competitors earn negative remarks because their settings are buried in various infotainment system menus. For example, the Accord Hybrid comes standard with one touch screen, but you can upgrade the system to a dual-screen display. In this setup, all controls are relegated to a touch screen, which makes tasks like adjusting the volume more convoluted.

Sonata Hybrid Spectacle

Sonata Hybrid Engine: Quick City Acceleration

The two thousand seventeen Sonata Hybrid’s powertrain includes a Two.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electrical motor. Together, they make one hundred ninety three horsepower. Plug-in hybrid models have a more powerful electrified motor that increases the powertrain’s combined output to two hundred two horsepower. Around town, the electrified motor lets you pull away from a stop fairly quickly to dart through traffic. The transition from electrical to gas power is so sleek, you’ll slightly notice when the engine turns on.

However, you may want to give yourself a little extra room for merging or passing on the highway, since the Sonata Hybrid doesn’t have as much power as you might want in these situations. Unlike some competitors that have noisy CVTs, the Sonata Hybrid has a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that makes slick, quiet shifts.

Sonata Hybrid Gas Mileage: Average Fuel Economy for Class

The Sonata Hybrid is more fuel-efficient than almost every other midsize car. It gets thirty nine mpg in the city and forty five mpg on the highway, which is typical for a midsize hybrid. However, you can spend less at the pump if you buy a competitor like the Honda Accord Hybrid or Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The Malibu Hybrid gets forty nine mpg city/43 mpg highway, while the Accord gets forty nine mpg city/47 mpg highway. The Toyota Prius tops almost every hybrid in any class with fuel economy estimates of 54/50.

The gasoline-only Hyundai Sonata gets mileage of 25/36 mpg city/highway. While the Sonata Hybrid is much more fuel-efficient than its namesake, it’s also more expensive to purchase. With current average gas prices and average yearly mileage, going with the Hybrid would save you about $400 a year in fuel costs. However, it costs about $Four,000 more than the standard Sonata, so you’d have to own the Sonata Hybrid for more than ten years to recoup the money you spent up front.

Sonata Hybrid Range and Charging: Plugged-In Power

Thanks to its large battery pack, the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid gets up to ninety nine mpg-e and can be driven up to twenty seven miles using only electric current. If you`re fortunate enough to have a brief daily commute, you can go to and from work or run errands around town without searing a drop of gasoline. However, you shouldn`t buy the Sonata Plug-in expecting to save money in the long run. With the costs of tens unit and gasoline, the Plug-in only costs about $50 less per year on average to operate than the Sonata Hybrid. The sticker price difference inbetween the two cars is about $8,600, which means you`d have to drive the Sonata Plug-in for one hundred seventy two years to see meaningful savings over the Sonata Hybrid.

It’ll take around nine hours to charge the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid’s batteries using a standard 120-volt socket, but if you buy a 240-volt charging station, you can top off the batteries in under three hours. Using the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid’s Blue Link smartphone app, you can remotely check the battery’s charge level or schedule charging when the car is plugged in.

Sonata Hybrid Rail and Treating: Cushioned Rail, Gooey Brakes

The front-wheel-drive Sonata Hybrid is an easygoing daily driver. The suspension soaks up any spreads of violated pavement to keep you and your passengers convenient. Drivers who like thrilling treating will find that the steering feels light, but for most people the steering will make it lighter to maneuver the Sonata Hybrid around parking lots and other puny spaces.

While the Sonata Hybrid’s treating is decent, its regenerative brakes are not. Regenerative brakes use the car’s forward momentum and spinning wheels to create violet wand to recharge the battery pack. In many rivals, like the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid, the regenerative brakes feel just like traditional friction brakes. However, the Sonata Hybrid’s brakes feel like they provide too much braking force all at once, so it can be difficult to stop sleekly.

Sonata Hybrid Reliability

Is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Reliable?

J.D. Power and Associates gives the two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a rating of four out of five for its predicted reliability. That indicates better dependability than most other cars. Some of the Sonata`s rivals, like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Prius, get the same epic rating. Even better is the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, which gets an outstanding Four.Five rating.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Warranty

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has one of the best warranties available, with a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The hybrid battery has a lifetime warranty.

That`s better coverage than you`ll get with the Sonata`s competition: The Honda Accord Hybrid, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, and Toyota Prius all have three-year/36,000-mile limited warranties and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties. The Malibu and Prius have extra backing for their hybrid-related components for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Sonata Hybrid Safety

Sonata Hybrid Crash Test Results

The two thousand seventeen Sonata Hybrid earns excellent crash test scores. It was named a two thousand seventeen Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and it earns the highest rating of Good in all their individual tests. It falls brief of being a Top Safety Pick+ because its headlights don’t have advanced features, which is a requirement for this designation. However, this doesn’t detract from its standing as a very safe car. The Sonata Hybrid also gets a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Sonata Hybrid`s rivals also perform well in crash testing. The Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and get a five-star rating from NHTSA. The Chevy Malibu Hybrid gets all the same ratings as the Sonata does.

Sonata Hybrid Safety Features

The Sonata Hybrid only comes standard with a rearview camera, but more advanced driver assistance features are available. You can get adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.

Tho’ the Honda Accord Hybrid’s kicking off price is a few thousand dollars above the Sonata Hybrid’s, the Honda comes standard with a broad range of collision avoidance features, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and a passenger-side blind spot camera.

Toyota is also getting ahead of the game when it comes to advanced safety features. For 2017, every Prius comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense package. Safety Sense includes a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert come with higher Prius trim levels.

In the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, you`ll only get a rearview camera standard, but other safety features are grouped in a single package. It`s a fine deal, however: For just $1,200 you get automatic high rafters, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist.

Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Model Is Right for Me?

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is available in four variations: The regular hybrid model comes in two trim levels, and there is a plug-in hybrid model that also comes in two trim levels. A four-cylinder engine, an electrified motor, a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive are standard.

The best choice for most shoppers is the base model. At $26,000, the Sonata Hybrid is already priced above average for the class, but it comes outfitted with attractive standard features like satellite radio, proximity key entry, and an infotainment system with smartphone integration. If you have the wiggle room in your budget, however, the Limited trim is still a good value. For about an extra $Four,000, you`ll get a more upscale and convenient Sonata with leather seats, heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, and a duo of advanced safety technologies.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SE

The base Sonata Hybrid SE is priced at $26,000 and comes standard with cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, a proximity key, a hands-free power trunk lid, a rearview camera, and a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

The $30,100 Hybrid Limited trim gets you leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. The Hybrid Limited model is the only trim available with an options package.

The Ultimate package for the Limited is priced at $Four,400 and adds a panoramic sunroof, a nine-speaker Infinity premium audio system, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

The base Plug-in Hybrid model starts at $34,600 and is tooled with the same features as the Hybrid SE, plus a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a seven-speaker Dimension premium audio system, navigation, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Limited

The top-of-the-line Plug-in Hybrid Limited costs $38,600. It adds leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a nine-speaker Infinity premium audio system, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for superb savings at your local Hyundai dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Hyundai deals page.

The Final Call

The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a good midsize hybrid sedan that is worth your consideration, but many competitors outshine it. If you prioritize convenience and features above spectacle and efficiency, the Sonata Hybrid is a solid choice. However, there are competitors that have lower prices, better fuel economy, and/or better spectacle.

Don`t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

“The two thousand seventeen Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the fuel-sipping counterpart to the regular Sonata sedan. It supplies the same sleek rail, spacious interior and long list of standard features but goes further with a hybrid powertrain good for 40-plus mpg. If you’re looking for a well-rounded and affordable hybrid sedan, this Sonata should be on your list.” — Edmunds
“I just despairingly want the fuel mileage to be better so I can justify paying the premium for the Hybrid. Is that too much to ask?” — Jalopnik (2016)
“The rest of our Sonata Hybrid Limited was more of the same – it’s an enormously well thought-out car, and what it may lack in sheer driving excitement is balanced by solid engineering and some careful attention to detail.” — Autoweek (2016)