Official Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Discussion Thread
 

Base MSRP: $24,900 msrp
Gas Mileage: 37/39 mpg
Note: Blue Drive Hybrid (No Torque Converter)

http://www.hybridcars.com/files/sonata-hybrid-502.jpg

Hyundai is taking direct aim at the Toyota Camry Hybrid (33/34) and Ford Fusion Hybrid (41/36), the two most popular regular-looking mid-size hybrid sedans. While the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid does not look exactly like its conventional sibling—more about that in a moment—Hyundai decided not to copy the unique aero-look of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. Moreover, Hyundai went its own direction on technology—by developing an original proprietary hybrid architecture to reduce weight and to improve highway fuel economy.

Unlike hybrid systems from Ford and Toyota, the Hyundai system does not use a continuously variable transmission with integrated electric motors and generators. Instead Hyundai is using its new six-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor that takes the place of the torque converter. What’s the difference? It means that Hyundai is trying to address the common complaint that hybrids provide great mileage for city driving conditions, but not so much for highway driving.

The full hybrid architecture allows the vehicle to operate on an electric motor only, a gasoline internal combustion engine only, or a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands. The approach also results in a total combined output of the engine and motor of 209 horsepower—beating out the Camry Hybrid (187 hp) and the Ford Fusion Hybrid (191 hp).

The hatchback Toyota Prius, with its combined 50-mpg rating, is still way ahead of the pack on both highway and city efficiency numbers—but shoppers are more likely to put the Sonata Hybrid in the larger mid-size sedan (with trunk) category along with the Camry and Fusion.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/294153...e-quarters.jpg

Hybrid critics have complained that the need to tote heavy batteries means one step forward and two steps back. Hyundai deals with that issue by using lightweight lithium polymer batteries. The lighter batteries, and other weight reductions make the Sonata Hybrid the lightest vehicle in the segment, at just 3,457 pounds—263 pounds lighter than the Fusion Hybrid. Combined with Sonata’s best-in-class horsepower rating, Sonata Hybrid has a significant advantage in power-to-weight ratio.

The Sonata Hybrid’s 1.4 kilowatt-hour pack battery pack weighs just 95.9 pounds versus the Camry Hybrid’s 123.9 pounds. The compact battery pack resides in the forward portion of the trunk to maximize cargo space. Compared with nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries deliver the same power with 20 to 30 percent less weight, 40 percent less volume and 10 percent greater efficiency over the nickel metal hydride batteries found in today’s hybrids. The battery cells, supplied by LG Chem, are similar to the cells that General Motors are using in the Chevrolet Volt.

If Hyundai can undercut the price of the Fusion and Camry hybrids, it will deliver a more powerful and efficient vehicle at a better value. But what does it look like? On that front, Hyundai puts form in service of function—better aerodynamics. The most dramatic design flair is an all-new front fascia, with anthropomorphic lizard-eye headlights. New wheels and extended rocker panels improve airflow across the flanks. In the back, the bumper cover has been reshaped with sharp creases at the corners to minimize drag. These changes drops the hybrid's projected drag coefficient from the standard Sonata's already slippery 0.28 to just 0.25—matching the 2010 Toyota Prius’s drag coefficient.

First take:


I always thought that Camrys were full-size but I guess everything is "mid-size" now.

Naturally Im a little disappointed with the 37/39mpg.
But thats probably fully-loaded. *rolls eyes*
I also wish it had the original grill and that the wheels were more styish.
(the hybrid front looks really blunt now, and the wheels look cookie-cutter)

this wouldve been nice
http://3042.net.ru/uploadfiles/3042n...ta-turbo_1.jpg

Oh no, Mazda Grille Syndrome is spreading!

This is a technically impressive car, in terms of its hybrid architecture and aerodynamics (for a sedan). It makes one wonder what Hyundai could do if they made a much smaller, dedicated hybrid model.

It's nice to have another player in the hybrid market, but I'm really not in the market for a 38 EPA MPG, $25k vehicle.

im afraid a smaller, dedicated hybrid model would be patterned after the CR-Z

but more genesis-y
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...0T_Track_2.jpg

21/30 mpg
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:R...thumb_down.jpg


cant deny the good looks though

Man that's an ugly car. However, everyone in Korea seems to drive hyundais, so I'm sure they'll sell some cars. :p

Its really too bad that people are not educated enough to know that the power requirements to drive at high speeds are actually higher than low speeds. If they realized this they would understand that hybrids with regen capability make even more sense.

Furthermore! Why is it a "common complaint" that hybrids don't return good highway mileage?

It's an oft-repeated misconception - a hybrid myth.

The 3 most efficient highway cars sold in the U.S. are hybrids! (Diesels round out slots 4 & 5 in a multi-vehicle tie.)

source: Most and Least Fuel Efficient Cars

(* European members feel free to chime in here on the fact that, with 48 mpg (US) being the highest highway MPG in North America, we are shafted in terms of vehicle choices compared to you guys.)

really?

you been to Korea?

I don't think it's Mazda grilled, as it's not "smiling." Camrys get mid-size, and I believe the Avalon gets full-size. The Sonata is exterior mid-size, interior full-size (by EPA classifications) Hyundai is good at that; The Elantra is EPA 'compact' exterior, 'mid-size' interior. :)

I just want to see how badly we can trounce the EPA in one.

...too much of a "guppy fish" grille for me!

Well, I'm taking delivery of one tomorrow, and the window sticker on it says 36/40. We commute 30 miles one-way all highway, so I'm thrilled about the highway mileage. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I like this car a lot and it should be a huge improvement for us.

Looking at your fuel log, 35MPG is what you achieved?

LOL, 35 is what my wife and I achieved. I had 45 though non-rush-hour highway driving. Still learning the car, though. So far I love it, but I'm rather surprised at how quickly the batter charges and discharges. I have no point if reference; I just assumed that hybrids' batteries had more capacity. I should clarify that the sticker was 35/40, btw, not 36/40.

I just bought a Sonata Hybrid this weekend, Red one with the premium package. Hadn't intended to get the premium, but She Who Must Not Be Angered wanted a red one. The only red close to us one was 2 hours away, and it had the premium package. I was leery of the price ($34k after taxes, tag, other crap), but we live really simply so wife (and money person) told me we could afford it. So there it is. We got 40.8mpg on the trip home form the dealer, in hilly terrain the whole way averaging 60mph not counting a brief run at 70mph for testing purposes. The transmission is good although the computer was a little confused in the hills. Nothing that affected the ride apart from the occasional shift when I would've let it ride. But then, this is my first hybrid and I'm not fully used to it yet. I will be logging mileage of course and working to get my mileage better :) The A/C is wonderful, no complaints about the steering or braking. The turning radius is ungodly small. It almost pivots on its rear wheels. The backup assist camera is very good, the resolution is good enough to count the trees on the other side of the field across from the house. The little 'parking assist' lines on the monitor are also useful and make backing up in small parking spots easier. The dual-pane sunroof that came with the premium package is not really something I use (as I leave the shades shut to minimize A/C use), but I get no noise from it while I'm driving. The nav system and bluetooth connection for the phone are functional and good use of technology. I admit I've not fully explored all the nav system functions, but it lays out reasonably good courses. I find the voice to be as intrusive as my Garmin StreetPilot III, so I tend to turn it off. The leather seats (2 heat settings) are more comfortable than the Avalon's were when it was new. Driver side gets power seat, passenger must use their muscles more, ah, well. Each door has a cup holder. The back seats get their own vents from the back of the center console; I thought it was a nice touch, but then my old car was 12 years old and didn't have a lot of fanciness. The center console has a shallow area under the arm rest, and then a MUCH deeper one under that. Not sure why they did it, but it's workable. I keep the registration and insurance in the shallow part. The lower bin is big enough to hold two 6V12AH Powersonic batteries side by side. Bought two while we were in the big city :) The center console also has 2 12V outlets, a USB port, and the aux audio input for the radio. The radio has a CD player, HD FM & AM, and XM which comes with a 3 month trial. Thus far I've enjoyed it as it's hard to get classical music in rural Georgia :) I looked under the hood, and it was exquisite, but I saw nothing that I'm feeling the urge to take apart or modify :) Sorry to be so wordy, but I didn't see any other first impression posts. Note to potential buyers, the red color is even better looking in person than in the pics online. The black color was oddly not what i'd hoped it would be. The silver is quite nice, though, definately worth considering.

Congrats and welcome! Expect MPG to fluctuate some as the computer learns your driving styles, and as you learn the driving style best for the car. As it breaks in (about 5k miles in Hyundais it would seem), you may even find the FE going up.

I'm hoping that actual commuting mpg will be better, as the commute is 40 miles of flat with the cruise control set at 55mph. From what I've read, it'll run in EV mode a bunch. Time will tell.