{"id":25552,"date":"2020-06-18T21:48:30","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T01:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=25552"},"modified":"2020-06-18T21:48:30","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T01:48:30","slug":"payne-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-has-omg-mpg-and-looks-ho-hum-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/payne-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-has-omg-mpg-and-looks-ho-hum-performance","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has OMG mpg and looks, ho-hum performance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/032f28ee-5d79-4cf3-8865-7dfd2a15a172-sonata_fr3-4.jpg?width=520&amp;height=390&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid comes in three trims: Blue, SEL and Limited. The Limited, pictured here, gets 47 mpg, while the sippy Blue version tops out at 52 mpg.\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"speakable-p-1 p-text\">They should have named the Hyundai Sonata the \u201cHyundai OMG.\u201d The mid-size sedan is a non-stop wow emoji.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-2 p-text\">There was the February Super Bowl ad featuring Boston celebrity jaws dropping in unison as actor John Krasinski demonstrated the Sonata\u2019s self-parking feature. \u201cSmaht pahk!\u201d We couldn\u2019t get it out of our heads. OMG.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">I couldn\u2019t get the Sonata\u2019s good looks out of my head the first time I saw it. It still turns my head \u2014 like the other day when an all-black Sonata rolled my way in Oakland County, its signature LED running lights giving it a sinister look. The black Audi A4 behind it looked &#8230; almost as good. OMG.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Now comes the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid boasting the best fuel economy in class:\u00a052 mpg. OMG.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">At least on paper. In practice the hybrid is the least OMG feature of the Sonatas I\u2019ve tested. And it still leaves me thirsting for the Sonata N performance version that will couple the car\u2019s tight handling with an alleged 295 horsepower. I tasted the N earlier this year on windy roads through Arizona and it was a treat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Until its arrival, drivetrains aren\u2019t the Sonata\u2019s strong suit. And that\u2019s not just because I\u2019ve got a lead foot instead of a green thumb. Indeed, I\u2019ve been impressed by the industry\u2019s latest hybrids, particularly new value entries from compact SUVs like the Ford Escape, Honda CRV\u00a0and Toyota RAV4, which have exhibited feisty character even as they sipped gas from the pump.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Syy7bGjNFHo\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/64f33269-14b4-43bb-8ba7-d350dd65b3ec-sonata_blindspot.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"With Blind spot assist in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a camera trained on your blind spot is activated when the turn signal is on.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/64f33269-14b4-43bb-8ba7-d350dd65b3ec-sonata_blindspot.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/64f33269-14b4-43bb-8ba7-d350dd65b3ec-sonata_blindspot.JPG\" \/>With Blind spot assist in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a camera trained on your blind spot is activated when the turn signal is on.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Henry Payne, The Detroit News)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">But the Sonata Hybrid was surprisingly tepid. Especially since it gains 12 more horsepower than the regular Sonata\u2019s turbocharged\u00a01.6-liter 4-cylinder. The regular Sonata\u2019s 1.6-liter made me yearn for the Sonata N \u2014 and the Sonata Hybrid made me yearn for the 1.6-liter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Where the Escape and CR-V hybrids use their electric motor for an electrifying kick off the line, the Sonata seems to maximize the battery for that OMG mpg. The Hybrid\u2019s acceleration is sleepy. The hand-off from electric to gas is as smooth as a middle-school track relay, with the 2.0-liter engine shouting as if someone stepped on its foot.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-position-72\" class=\"partner-placement partner-spike partner-placement-visible\" data-ad-placement=\"native-article_link\" data-ad-sizes=\"[&quot;fluid&quot;,[3,3], [2,6], [300,250]]\" data-monetization-id=\"native-article_link\" data-monetization-sizes=\"fluid,300,250,3,3,2,6\">But\u00a0Payne, you say, no one buying a green car is going to drive it hard. And sure enough, the Sonata cruises effortlessly at speed, its electronics maximizing the drivetrain for 30% fewer shifts. Green fans will also geek out on the car\u2019s active grill flaps, underbody cover\u00a0and unique rear spoiler to achieve a remarkable 0.24 drag coefficient so the sedan cuts through the air like a knife.<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">But I\u2019ve been spoiled, dear reader, by the Ford and Honda hybrids\u2019\u00a0dexterity, and the Sonata is not in their league. What\u2019s more, my week in the premium Hyundai Hybrid Limited returned just 35 mpg \u2014 a far cry from the advertised 47 mpg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">That 52 mpg\u00a0I spoke of belongs to the starter Hyundai Hybrid Blue model, which retails for $28,725 \u2014 with a $30,875 SEL and Limited model clocking in at $36,275. The latter pair achieve 47 mpg.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Syy7bGixV7A\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/b4dce816-0294-44f4-a8df-b84d0d53314f-sonata_cabin.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The cabin of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a nice place to be with wide screens, tech-savvy steering wheel and best-in-class front room.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/b4dce816-0294-44f4-a8df-b84d0d53314f-sonata_cabin.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/b4dce816-0294-44f4-a8df-b84d0d53314f-sonata_cabin.JPG\" \/>The cabin of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a nice place to be with wide screens, tech-savvy steering wheel and best-in-class front room.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Henry Payne, The Detroit News)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Those prices are in contrast to, say, the Honda CRV Hybrid, which is a ridiculous bargain at just $27,000\u00a0with lots of pep, 38 mpg\u00a0and all the inherent advantages of SUVs like hatchback storage, all-wheel-drive\u00a0and rear-seat headroom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">So the Sonata Hybrid will have to sell itself on sex appeal. And in that area it is loaded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Every time I got annoyed with the Hybrid\u2019s awkward drivetrain, I would stand back and ogle its curves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The heavily sculpted sides (with this much stamped sheet metal how does the standard Sonata start at just $23,000?) sweep rearward\u00a0to a gorgeous\u00a0tail-section, a Lincoln-like horizontal taillight graphic providing the perfect punctuation. There is exquisite detail \u2014 like the delicate winglets on the taillight to aid aerodynamic flow and the signature LED running lights that parallel the hood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The standard Sonata grille is distinctive like the mouth of a carp. Too big. The hybrid tones it down with some elegant chrome piping and a sweeping lower chrome piece that echoes the rear taillight. But the Hybrid Limited exterior\u2019s\u00a0OMG feature is the solar roof. Yes, a solar roof.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Syy7bGjDWcE\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/e9714c5f-48ad-4379-a158-719c2cbffd79-sonata_clam-sea-waves.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's Sounds of Nature feature contains multiple mood sound like Calming Sea Waves.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/e9714c5f-48ad-4379-a158-719c2cbffd79-sonata_clam-sea-waves.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/e9714c5f-48ad-4379-a158-719c2cbffd79-sonata_clam-sea-waves.JPG\" \/>The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid&#8217;s Sounds of Nature feature contains multiple mood sound like Calming Sea Waves.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Henry Payne, The Detroit News)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Embedded in the black sweep of the coupe-like greenhouse\u00a0you can make out subtle traces etched to and fro to catch the sun. Dramatic looking, though less dramatic in operation. Hyundai says the solar roof will gain the driver 2 miles on a tank of gas. Like the drivetrain, it\u2019s not worth the premium price in my book &#8230; but it\u2019s a talker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The interior on my Limited model was even more stunning,\u00a0the seats swathed in tanned leather, the instruments fully digital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The dash reminds of a Mercedes, which indicates just how high this mainstream sedan has aimed. A fully digital cockpit and infotainment display flows across the horizontal dash. The Hyundai can\u2019t match the Mercedes\u2019\u00a0exquisite detail \u2014 what\u00a0can? \u2014 but the graphics are engaging and Sonata Hybrid does it all for tens of thousands of dollars less. No other sedan in class can match it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Syy7bGi6CEk\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/1ca9aa2e-c044-4e6d-b82f-0b404d08cb16-sonata_seats.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The interior of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited includes comfortable tan leather seats. But no sunroof as the ceiling is taken up by solar panels.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/1ca9aa2e-c044-4e6d-b82f-0b404d08cb16-sonata_seats.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/1ca9aa2e-c044-4e6d-b82f-0b404d08cb16-sonata_seats.JPG\" \/>The interior of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited includes comfortable tan leather seats. But no sunroof as the ceiling is taken up by solar panels.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Henry Payne, The Detroit News)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The console offers more luxury touches, including a so-called \u201ctrigger shifter\u201d that I first encountered on the Acura NSX supercar, of all things. I fell in love with it on the Acura and find Hyundai\u2019s version just as useful. It\u2019s different without being annoying \u2014 while also saving console space for knick-knack\u00a0and smartphone storage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The infotainment system features are useful, particularly Apple CarPlay and Android Auto navigation that allow\u00a0the sedan luxe-like navigation skills. Drill deeper and you\u2019ll find \u2014 yes, another OMG moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">While most drivers will be content to play their own music, streaming services\u00a0or Sirius XM\u2019s multiple channels, Hyundai offers another escape: Sounds of Nature.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">There are the soothing sounds of\u00a0Snowy Village and Warm Fireplace. And Open Air Cafe, Calm Sea Waves\u00a0and Lively Forest. Mrs. Payne balked at Rainy Day because she found it dreary. But the sounds are a reminder of Hyundai\u2019s determination to make the Sonata a unique experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Available with the nav package, the feature\u2019s also available on other Sonatas \u2014 not just the hybrid. Which brings me back to the question of the hybrid\u2019s value. Indeed, the hybrid is oddly missing the \u201cSmaht pahk\u201d feature that got everyone all worked up about the Sonata in the first place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Sonata says it\u2019s coming, which is good thing because when you\u2019re paying 36 grand for a sedan you want all the OMG you can get.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Syy7bGjno8U\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/98966e78-9057-4421-a342-eade39b3b2ab-sonata_newseoul.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is assembled in Montgomery, Alabama. Here it luxuriates outside a Korean restaurant near Southfield, Michigan.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/98966e78-9057-4421-a342-eade39b3b2ab-sonata_newseoul.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/06\/15\/PDTN\/98966e78-9057-4421-a342-eade39b3b2ab-sonata_newseoul.JPG\" \/>The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is assembled in Montgomery, Alabama. Here it luxuriates outside a Korean restaurant near Southfield, Michigan.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Henry Payne, The Detroit News)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"presto-h3\">2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger sedan<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Price: $28,725, including $975\u00a0destination charge\u00a0($36,275 Limited as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Powerplant: 2.0-liter\u00a0inline 4-cylinder mated to AC motor and lithium-ion battery<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Transmission: 6-speed automatic<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Power: 192 horsepower (combined system output)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Weight: 3,530 pounds as tested<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 8.0 seconds (Car and Driver est.); top speed, 120 mph<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Fuel economy: EPA est. mpg: 50 city\/54 highway\/52 combined (Hybrid Blue); 45 city\/51 highway\/47 combined (Hybrid SEL and Limited)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"presto-h3\">Report card<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Highs: 47-52 mpg; luxury-class interior<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Lows: Granola performance; pricey compared to competitive SUV hybrids<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Overall: \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>They should have named the Hyundai Sonata the \u201cHyundai OMG.\u201d The mid-size sedan is a non-stop wow emoji. There was the February Super Bowl ad featuring Boston celebrity jaws dropping in unison as actor John Krasinski demonstrated the Sonata\u2019s self-parking feature. \u201cSmaht pahk!\u201d We couldn\u2019t get it out of our heads. OMG. I couldn\u2019t get [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25552"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25552"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25553,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25552\/revisions\/25553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}