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.
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.
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.