The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Believe it or not, the Hyundai Sonata hybrid might just be the most American hybrid available.
No, I'm not speaking about American production, but America's love affair with the open road, but we'll get back to that later.
Sure, Hyundai's
Blue Drive is an exciting hybrid drive because it utilizes lithium
polymer batteries, rather than the NiMH batteries
powering many of today's hybrid vehicles, helping make the 2012 Sonata hybrid the lightest hybrid sedan. Likewise, lithium also ensures that the Sonata hybrid, unlike other hybrid sedans, such as the Toyota Camry hybrid, can offer greater cabin and cargo room to accomodate its battery pack. In fact, by using lithium, Hyundai was able to reduce the size of its battery pack by 44 percent.
More important, however, the Sonata hybrid is a hybrid, and most hybrid buyers are, therefore, particularly interested in fuel economy.
According to the EPA, the Sonata hybrid's fuel economy comes in at 40 mpg highway, and 35 mpg city.
And that's exactly what makes the Sonata hybrid so American.
Since Americans are still predominantly highway drivers, Hyundai focused on a hybrid that excels in such conditions, although 35 mpg in the city is still excellent. As a result, the Sonata hybrid offers not just the best highway fuel economy, but also the most horsepower and the best 0 - 60 speeds of any hybrid in its class -- at least according to the EPA. (Recent real world testing by MotorTrend quesions the Sonata's fuel economy).
Consequently, while the Sonata hybrid can be powered purely in EV mode, even at highway speeds under the right conditions, EV mode wasn't Hyundai's focus. Instead, Hyundai focused its parallel hybrid drive on maximizing fuel economy under all conditions.
Since Americans are highway drivers that value power and space, why not give them what they want?
Outside of performance numbers, Hyundai engineers promised that the Sonata hybrid's 6-speed transmission would be the smoothest in its class. However, most outside experts have called both the Camry and Fusion hybrid's transmissions more seamless than the Sonata's.
Fuel economy, battery, performance - what else is there?
Price. The Sonata hybrid starts at $25,795, undercuting the Toyota Camry hybrid by almost $200, and the Ford Fusion hybrid by almost $2500.
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Making the move to lithium
Aside from fuel economy and price; however, the Sonata hybrid's lithium battery is still one of the most intriguing things about Hyundai's first US hybrid.
Hyundai's lithium battery is also a good bit different
than the lithium batteries being explored by virtually
every other automaker. So, this is a move that could
instantly turn Hyundai into a major player in the hybrid
segment.
Battery
experts suggest that mass manufacturing of lithium
polymer batteries could be much more cost effective than
other lithium battery technologies. Moreover, Hyundai has stated that they have lots of flexibility for volume, so lithium manufacturing constraints seem a non-issue.
Trim and Packages
The Sonata hybrid comes in just one trim level and two packages: base and premium.
Both versions offer unique exterior styling compared to conventional Sonatas, such as unique front fascias and rear bumbers.
A 4.2 inch display is standard, but a larger center consule/navigation unit is available in the premium package.
Likewise, the premium package also offers a panoramic sun roof - a Hyundai first.
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