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2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

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Make
Hyundai
Model
Sonata Plug-In Hybrid
Year
2017
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Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid OEM Exterior Primary Photo
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Used Car Price Range
$10,495 - $15,995
$10,495 $15,995
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2017 Base 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $34,600
2017 Limited 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $38,600
Expert Rating
Unavailable

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: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

Hyundai’s Sonata Plug-In Hybrid offers the best of a hybrid and an electric vehicle to those in the market for a midsize sedan. The class-leading 27 mile full-electric range is perfect for most daily uses, and the battery can recharged in as little as two hours. The hybrid drive dispels the range anxiety common to EVs, and will carry the Sonata as far as 590 miles between fill-ups.

The battery is about five times bigger than the one used in the standard Sonata Hybrid’s. Charging can be managed by Hyundai’s Blue Link app. For example, the car can be scheduled to recharge when electricity rates are lowest, or on days when the car isn’t in use. The electric motor is also larger to allow the higher loads and motor speeds needed for EV operation.

While not blindingly fast, the Plug-In Hybrid has the excellent torque response of most electric vehicles and performs well at freeway speeds.

The slightly higher purchase price can be offset by the federal $4,919 electric vehicle tax credit. To sweeten the pot, the Plug-In Hybrid may be eligible for HOV-lane access in certain states.

What's New for 2017

The Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is a new offering for 2017. Additional colors will debut at mid-year.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

Choosing Your Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

Two trim levels are offered for the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid: base and Limited. Both use the same hybrid drivetrain, which provides a total off 202 horsepower.

Fuel economy is excellent with a combined EPA-estimated rating of 39 mpg hybrid mode, and 99 MPGe during electric-only operation.

Standard features include a 7-inch color touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD radio, a hands-free trunk opener, and driver memory.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

Base

Comes with a gray cloth interior, but has many other standard features such as automatic climate control, 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Option packages are nil, and accessories are very few: a trunk hook, a cargo mat, a cargo net, upgraded floor mats, wheel locks, a rear bumper appliqué, and a first aid kit.

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

Limited

The Limited is mechanically identical to the base model, and should be viewed as a comprehensive upgrade package. Leather and ventilation appear on the front seats. HID xenon headlights with automatic high beams are included, along rear parking parking sensors. You can add a full suite of safety technology, including lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, land forward collision warning.

CarsDirect Tip

Buyers considering a hybrid would do well to spend a little more for a plug-in model (as long as it’s in the budget, of course). While 27 miles might not seem like much range, it’s more than adequate for 90 percent of the trips that 90 percent of drivers make daily. In most communities, it will be cheaper to run an electric vehicle that draws juice from the grid than to pay for fuel at the pump. Combined with the tax credit, a plug-in hybrid becomes a reasonable choice, even with a higher purchase price.

Get your price on a Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid »

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid
author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is the fuel efficiency leader of the Sonata lineup. But despite its stellar numbers, with gas prices hovering around $2.50 a gallon as of this writing, it's hard to justify the price premium.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2017 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is available in two trim levels. The base model is priced at $35,485; while the Limited model has an MSRP of $39,485 (with both prices representing an $11,000 price premium over their respective gasoline-only models). Even the base model is well-equipped, with standard features like:

  • Eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
  • Bluetooth phone and music streaming capability
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Keyless ignition
  • Rear view camera
  • Auto on/off headlights
  • Auto start/stop
  • Heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

At a $4,000 more than the base model, our Limited tester also came with leather seating, ventilated front seats, a memory function for the driver's seat and outside mirrors, a power passenger seat, an electronic parking brake, and HID headlights with automatic high beams.

Limited models also come with a suite of advanced safety features including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control with stop/start capability.

All 2017 Sonata Plug-In Hybrids use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that, combined, deliver 202 system horsepower. Unlike most hybrids that employ a buzzy CVT, Hyundai's system uses a conventional six-speed automatic to put the power to the road with an EPA-estimated 99 MPGe combined for electric + gasoline, and 39 miles per gallon combined in gasoline-only mode.

Performance Pros

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid
  • The transition from electric mode to the internal combustion engine is seamless.
  • Despite the fact that we were only able to partially charge the system (we couldn't get the supplied charger to work), we still managed a vehicle-measured 52.5 miles per gallon in a combination of city and highway driving.
  • The Sonata Plug-In Hybrid delivers a smooth ride, easily absorbing most bumps and road irregularities.

Performance Cons

  • The weight of the additional batteries makes the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid feel ponderous when cornering.
  • Although slightly more expensive ($36,105), the Sonata's platform-mate, the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid, has a longer electric range (29 versus 27) and a higher combined MPGe estimate (103 versus 99).
  • The steering has a nice weight, but it offers very little feedback to the driver.

Interior Pros

  • The infotainment system is intuitive with redundant analog buttons for the major functions, reducing driver distractions.
  • There's plenty of room for two adults up front and three in back.
  • The Blue Pearl leather option, available at no additional cost on the Limited model, livens things up a bit, while adding a touch of elegance to the interior.

Interior Cons

Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid
  • Due to battery placement, cargo space is just 10 cubic feet, six less than the gasoline-only Sonata and three cubes less than the Sonata Hybrid.
  • Even with a boost from the electric motor, straight-line acceleration is disappointing, especially compared to the brand's own Ioniq models.
  • The Sonata's latest dash layout lacks the excitement of the previous sixth-generation model.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

At a time when manufacturers are seemingly vying for ever more complex infotainment systems, Hyundai's impresses with its intuitive interface and throw-back redundant buttons.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Even with a $4,919 tax credit from Uncle Sam, the Sonata PHV is not a cheap vehicle, especially for the range-topping Limited. If saving fuel is really that important, we recommend sacrificing some of the Sonata's size and picking up the much more affordable (and better to drive) Ioniq.

The Bottom Line

The Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid's smooth ride and excellent EPA numbers can't mask the fact that with gasoline prices hovering around $2.50 a gallon, as of this writing, it's hard to justify the additional cost.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 154 HP / 140 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
Not Available
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 154 HP / 140 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
Not Available
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
14.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$55
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
13.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
106 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
191.1 "
Exterior Width
73.4 "
Exterior Height
57.9 "
Front Headroom
40.4 "
Rear Headroom
38.0 "
Front Legroom
45.5 "
Rear Legroom
35.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room
56.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,787 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
17.8 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote W/tilt Down Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Yes Essentials Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
7 Dimension
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

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