The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a mid-size sedan that uses both gasoline and electricity. This is the first hybrid for the United States market that Hyundai has made. It sets the tone for the new system that Hyundai calls "Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive." Some people think that Hyundai is joining the party of eco-friendly cars a bit late, but the delay is actually a good thing. It has allowed Hyundai to use lithium-polymer battery technology and this will be the first car with these kinds of batteries. This means that the battery will be more durable, smaller, and lighter. There will be a four-cylinder engine and this vehicle offers 169 horsepower and 156 pound per foot of torque. The electric motor offers 40 horsepower and a 151 pound per foot motor. The battery is a 34 kW lithium-polymer batter and the car comes with a six-speed automatic transmission. In total, the car offers 209 horsepower, which beats out the hybrid versions of the Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan, and Toyota Camry. The Sonata Hybrid is a real automatic transmission instead of a CVT like the other companies have offered. In all electric mode, the Sonata hybrid can read speeds of up to 62 mph, which is much better than the current champion, the Fusion/Milan hybrid, which only can reach 47 mph.
The Hyundai Sonata hybrid is also best in class in terms of fuel economy. It gets 37 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Only the Fusion has a better rating, as it reaches 41 mpg. The Hyundai also has a low weight - according to Hyundai, it weighs less than 3500 pounds - and has regenerative braking and an electric A/C compressor.
In the gauges, there is a 4.2 inch LCD display that will tell you the drive mode you're in, fuel and battery levels, and the fuel-economy numbers. The car is also designed to be aerodynamic, which helps avoid drag and improve fuel economy. And of course, it comes with the safety features you except from Hyundai.
Prices haven't been announced yet, but more than likely the Hyundai Sonata hybrid will be cheaper than the Fusion hybrid, which sells at $28,000.
Let Manly Automotive Group help you in your new and previously owned vehicle choices today stop by our website today and drive away knowing that you made the right choice with us! http://www.manlyauto.com/ We also can be found on Twitter and Facebook. Stop on over and visit us!
Sounds like a nice car. I like hybrids, but find they are sometimes not as reliable as they are supposed to be. Usually Hyundai's have a great rep, so I think I might consider this for my next car.
ReplyDeleteThe displays sound great! It's important to be able to tell what's going on and I love the idea of the Sonatas having a tire pressure monitoring system. That's important!
ReplyDeleteThere are times when the last one to come is the best. The company may be the newest in the race for eco-cars, but it has introduced better technologies that'll set the trend for newer cars. Buyers may be able to find more good things about this car. Just reading through the specs, even dealers would be proud to have a car like this in their showrooms.
ReplyDeleteSo this Sonata was made in the U.S.A? Cars that need parts fixed are cheaper if they are made in the U.S. I know the article says, "This is the first hybrid for the United States market that Hyundai has made" but, does that mean it was made IN THE U.S.?
ReplyDelete