- Hyundai unveiled its 2011 Sonata Hybrid at the 2010 New York Auto Show.
- The Sonata Hybrid will go on sale at an unspecified time later this year.
- Pricing has not yet been announced.
NEW YORK — Nine years after the Toyota Prius arrived in the U.S., Korean automaker Hyundai debuted its first hybrid here, showing off the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at the 2010 New York Auto Show.
Despite being extremely late to the hybrid party, the new Hyundai hybrid — a full parallel hybrid that uses advanced lithium polymer battery technology — has managed to steal some of the thunder from its chief competitors, as well as mainstays such as the Prius. The Sonata Hybrid will go on sale at an unspecified time later this year, says Hyundai, although it has yet to announce pricing.
It is expected that Hyundai will squeeze the Sonata Hybrid below the base price of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which starts at $28,675, including a $725 destination charge, and the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which starts at $27,150, including a $750 shipping charge. The base 2011 Sonata GLS starts at $19,915, including a $720 destination charge.
Hyundai has been touting the looks of the Sonata Hybrid, saying it is "a hybrid in a tuxedo," which offers more differentiation from its domestic and Japanese competitors. The Sonata Hybrid's design elements include a hexagonal grille, airdam and aero side sills, different headlights and taillights, as well as exclusive paint color. In the cabin, a hybrid technology display is featured on a 4.2-inch LCD screen set between the odometer and tachometer.
The Sonata Hybrid is equipped with a 169-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and a 40.2-hp electric motor. Total output is 209 hp.
While the EPA has yet to release official fuel economy numbers on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the automaker pegs it at 37 mpg in city driving and 39 mpg on the highway. The EPA says the 2010 Camry Hybrid returns 33 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. The EPA says the 2010 Fusion Hybrid returns 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.
The Korean automaker is bragging that it has leapfrogged the competition with the Sonata Hybrid's lithium polymer battery, a technology common in laptops and cell phones. The Camry Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid use the older nickel-metal hydride batteries. Lithium polymer batteries hold their charge longer than nickel-metal hydride batteries, weigh less and are more efficient.
The benefit of the lithium polymer battery type is evident in the curb weight of the Sonata Hybrid versus its chief competitors. The Korean hybrid has a curb weight of 3,457 pounds. The Camry Hybrid tips the scales at 3,680 pounds, while the Fusion Hybrid is a porkier 3,720 pounds.
"The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the new kid on the block, but it's not a follower," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, in a statement.
Inside Line says: The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid looks tantalizing inside and out — but recession-battered shoppers still are missing a key piece of information, since pricing is a mystery. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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gene978 says:
04:51 PM, 04/17/2010
I love that Hyundai is making a name for themselves. It forces competition to improve. I drove the 2011 Sonata for quite a long time and I was very, very impressed. And it was the GLS model with Auto Transmission. It was one of my customers that bought this car and let me test drive it. It is a very good looking car, roomy inside, handling was spot on, quiet tuned interior, electric steering but to numb at low speed. The standard features don't even come close to the competition. And the trunk space is HUGE. I can't wait to try the Turbo with 274 HP and the Hybrid with 209 Horse power. Which BTW is almost 20 HP better then the Fusion. I drove both the Camry and Fusion a few years back in 2008 and the Camry was cheap plastic and felt blah, and the Fusion had boring styling and a lot of road noise was to be heard. Not saying they are bad cars. Just my personal taste. I also drove the Altima and found the interior to be very dated with cheap plastics and pricy. The Subaru is a nice car but is also pricy in comparison and has the lowest MPG numbers. I know it is AWD. The new Kia Optima is going to also put Kia on the Map here in the USA with the New Cadenza (K7) and new Optima. Very exciting indeed. And no one can touch Hyundai's Warranty! That is the clincher! Chevy's new Malibu just came out and already they are discounting the car about $4000 off Suggested Retail and a year ago you were paying retail or over. I know that you will be able to get the new Sonata for about $2500 off in about 8 months making it a super deal. Fully loaded Limited for about $23,000. And GLS for about $17,500.00. And like I said the GLS is loaded. Look at the features and compare. Bluetooth, XM Sat. Radio, USB, Audio & Cruise on steering wheel, 6 speed shiftable transmission, dual lighted vanity mirrors, trip computer, ABS, Stability & Traction Control, Airbags galore, and so much more on the base model. My only hope is Hyundai don't go crazy on future pricing as they grow. Remember Honda and Toyota when they used to be really cheap cars too?
jscion says:
07:51 PM, 04/11/2010
Another winner from Hyundai! I like that Hyundai makes the Sonata Hybrid look like a different car from the Sonata...well, from the front at least. The fuel economy sounds great. It undercuts the Ford Fusion but the Sonata looks alot better so the few MPG's shouldn't bother too many people
wallymc says:
04:32 PM, 04/01/2010
Do you plug this in at night time to recharge to battery to full capacity. How much charging does the battery get during normal driving cylcle. How far can you drive on battery only, I know they say you can go 62 miles per hour on electric alone.
fortstring says:
01:49 PM, 04/01/2010
"State of art GDI? It's been around more than a decade!"
Someone is really biased lol
Although "it's been around for a decade!" the application in the form of a mainstream 2.4L I-4 has NOT. If you haven't been paying attention, a DI Turbo I-4 with impressive figures has NOT been the mainstay of the mainstream family sedan. This is pretty unprecedented, regardless of whatever your brand allegiance is.
tbone85 says:
08:30 AM, 04/01/2010
I don't care for the Camry styling or driving experience at all. The new Fusion is a strong entrant, and I think the new Sonata from a design standpoint looks pretty good on photos and quite nice in person. Design is personal taste, and we'll have to see about the driving experience. I think given Hyundai's pricing strategy, they are now a powerful player in this market. Hopefully we'll see continued improvement from their competitors.
@ Guy 1974, the combined mileage is 2 MPG less than the Fusion. If less weight provides improved balance and handling (as it should), then I'd consider that trade off.
dg0472 says:
06:19 AM, 04/01/2010
igo1,
Edmunds is posting so much because so many people are doing searches on Hyundais, so that draws traffic to the site and whoever pays to advertise here pays more, Toyota and Ford included, so get used to it and over yourself.
zoomzoomn says:
06:08 AM, 04/01/2010
Eeewww! That new front end is fug-ly!!! That's a shame, too because it looks to become a big player in the hybrid game.
guy1974 says:
06:04 AM, 04/01/2010
I am dissapointed by Hyundaia. Nobody in the real world cares about which battery technology they use, they want mpg. They city figure is 4mpg LESS than the Fusion. The highway is greater but bearing in mind they have come to the party late and with less weight they should have got better mpg figures.
atenza94546 says:
04:27 PM, 03/31/2010
VW ought to bring in a Diesel Hybrid to grab some of the Hybrid buyers.
lc_g37 says:
03:44 PM, 03/31/2010
i would happily pay more for the camry or fusion over this. i cant get past the styling. not saying its ugly or anything because car design imo is difficult enough to make a product that appeals the masses. its just the front end that kills it. i dont like the leds up front either. to each his own