2016 hyundai sonata phev
If you’ve been following along over the past year or so, you’ve probably noticed that I’m quite enamored with the current generation Hyundai’s midsize sedan, the Sonata. Since early 2015, I’ve driven the 1.6-liter turbocharged Eco, the 2.0-liter Hybrid and now the newest member of the lineup, the Plug-in Hybrid. The Sonata PHEV is the first Hyundai-branded model sold in North America with a plug and it’s one of only two plug-in hybrids in the midsize family sedan segment, the other being the Ford Fusion Energi.
Like the non-plug Sonata hybrid I drove a few months ago, the PHEV is visually distinguished from gasoline-only models by a larger grille, unique 17-inch wheels and distinct light clusters. Aside from the plug-in badges, the only thing that sets this one further apart is the charge-port door on the left-front fender. Overall, the Sonata’s look is holding up well as it heads into its third model year with the current design. It’s well proportioned with the fastback, coupe-like profile that is all the rage these days. It’s still not as distinctive as the last generation Sonata, but it is more sophisticated.
The example I drove was the pricier Limited trim which is comes loaded with pretty much all of the available options included. That means that in addition to features like the eight-inch touchscreen navigation system that comes on all PHEVs, it also gets driver assist features like radar-based adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, collision warning and xenon headlamps. The heated front seats that come with the base PHEV are get leather coverings on the Limited and are also augmented with ventilation to keep you cool when the temperatures climb without having to use the battery-draining air conditioning.
The Sonata’s back seat is positively limo-like
The cabin is an exceptionally nice space to spend time with ample space for five adults. Rear seat room is positively cavernous and my six-foot plus son had no plenty of room to spare in back, even in the center position. One of the big advantages of the Sonata over some of the competition is the visibility provided by the relatively slim pillars. This is one of the easiest of contemporary sedans to see out of. The interface Hyundai’s infotainment system is clean and responsive, but unfortunately Android Auto and Apple Carplay haven’t yet been added to the eight-inch system, so you’ll have to make do with what’s built-in.
The large battery in the Sonata plug-in hybrid eats up a lot of trunk space and eliminates the fold-down seat
The PHEV uses the same 154-horsepower 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine found in the base hybrid. Both use basically the same six-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor taking the place normally used by a torque converter. Since the plug-in is expected to be driven on electricity alone a significant portion of the time, it gets a more powerful 67-horsepower motor in place of the 51-hp unit on the hybrid to help it accelerate without fumes. Along with the plug, the air-cooled lithium polymer battery size is boosted from 1.6-kWh to 9.8-kWh.
Compare the 2016 Sonata powertrain variants
The downside to adding big batteries to existing cars like this is that they take up space that has to come from somewhere. Hyundai has opted not to sacrifice passenger space, so that means the trunk loses volume, in this case quite a lot of it. The 16 cubic foot cargo volume shrinks to 13 cubic feet in the hybrid and just 9.9 cubic feet in the PHEV. Part of the battery cooling system and electronics also spreads up along the rear seat back meaning that you also sacrifice the folding rear seat.
This car’s closest competitor in the marketplace is the Ford Fusion Energi which also has a 2.0-liter engine, although it only generates 141-hp although it is paired with a significantly more powerful 118-hp electric motor. The powertrain architecture of the Hyundai and Ford are quite different with the Sonata having a clutch on either side of the motor and a traditional step-ratio transmission. The Ford system is a power-split like that used by Toyota where the motor is used to provide an electronic continuously variable transmission.
Compare the 2016 Sonata to other current plug-in hybrids
2016 hyundai sonata phev
With the clutches between the engine, motor and transmission engaged, the Hyundai system provides essentially direct drive to the wheels which should be more efficient at higher speeds. At 202-hp, the maximum combined output of the Sonata beats the 188-hp of the Fusion. With a curb weight of at least 120 pounds lighter than the Ford, the Sonata feels at least as quick if not quicker.
While the Sonata certainly has a deficit in electric power to the to the Ford, unlike the first-generation Prius plug-in, the Hyundai still has more than enough electric grunt to operate in genuine EV mode in most driving conditions. That includes operating with the engine entirely off at highway speeds up to 75 mph for as much as 25 miles which I did more than once. The Sonata will happily cruise gasoline-free at those speeds and have enough spare energy from the motor to maintain speeds on mild uphill grades and even modest acceleration.
2016 hyundai sonata phev
If you floor the accelerator to make a quick pass or tight merge, the engine will fire up briefly to get you to your desired speed but then shut down again as soon as the power demand wanes. Unless you are watching the power-flow meter in the central display, the only other indication that the engine is cycling on or off is the state of the EV lamp in the cluster. Unlike earlier generation hybrids, the transitions between engine on and off are absolutely seamless and vibration free in this car. In combination with its quiet operation, you might have a hard time distinguishing this car from a pure EV.
2016 hyundai sonata phev
The EPA officially rates the 2016 Sonata plug-in hybrid at 40 mpg combined when running on gasoline in regular hybrid mode with a 27-mile electric driving range. I plugged the car in to top off the battery at every opportunity using as much electricity as possible although I did have multiple trips that exceeded the battery capacity. Along with my occasionally overweight right foot, the Sonata managed a combined 68 mpg over a week of driving although that figure doesn’t include the electricity used. I should note that the week I had this Sonata coincided with near ideal EV weather with temperatures in the low to mid-70s. That means no use of heat or defoggers and only modest use of air conditioning in Eco mode on a couple of occasions. Electric range and gas efficiency can take a significant hit in more extreme weather conditions.
Here in Michigan, where electricity is cheaper than many other states including California, that would give the Sonata or any other plug-in vehicle a significant operating cost advantage. Unfortunately that brings us to the two main downsides of the Sonata PHEV. Given Hyundai’s well-earned reputation for value for money, the $34,600 starting price is a bit steep, especially compared to the $31,100 base price of the Fusion Energi or the $33,200 for the Chevrolet Volt which although smaller, does have nearly twice the electric range. The Limited model I drove came to $39,600 including delivery. The other is limited availability. I can walk into a Ford or Chevrolet dealer anywhere in the country and order a Fusion Energi or Volt if they don’t have any in stock. The Sonata is only available in California and the nine other states that follow its zero-emissions vehicle mandate. If you really want one, you can always do what may Tesla customers do and travel to a state where they are available to purchase one and bring it home. The price may not be as much of a problem depending on any incentives Hyundai is offering in addition to federal and state tax breaks.
The Sonata PHEV is an excellent all-around car (small trunk aside) that will meet the needs of most American drivers will using little or no gasoline. Since the powertrain architecture is carried over (albiet with a smaller engine) to the new dedicated electrified vehicles from Hyundai and sister company Kia, the Ioniq and Niro, the performance of this car bodes very well for those models. I look forward to evaluating the Ioniq and Niro in their hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric variants.
Click here for full specifications of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata PHEV
