Cons: A tad less spacious inside than some class competitors; Hybrid’s engine power trails rivals[/vc_column_text][mk_divider style=”padding_space” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″][vc_column_text]CG Says: The 2022 Hyundai Sonata carries over with minor equipment changes and the addition of a N Line Night Edition with unique black and carbon-fiber trim. Hyundai’s midsize sedan was redesigned for 2020, gaining dramatic new styling and a host of new technology features.
The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The step-up 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo four has less horsepower, but a bit more torque—195 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The N-Line gets a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four teamed with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Hybrid combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 189 hp. A 6-speed automatic transmission has Active Shift Control technology that Hyundai says aligns the car’s electric motor with the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission for smoother, faster shifts and better efficiency.
An available solar-panel roof can charge both the hybrid and 12-volt batteries and helps provide a bit of extra driving range and helps prevent battery discharge from the HVAC and infotainment systems when the car is off. In the extra-economical Blue trim level, the Sonata Hybrid is capable of an impressive 686-mile driving range.
Among the available Sonata features is “Smart Park,” a remote parking assist feature which allows the driver to be outside the vehicle and use the key fob buttons to move the car forward or backward into a parking spot, and a Digital Key feature that allows the vehicle to be locked/unlocked and started by using a dedicated app on a compatible smartphone.
Other available features include a panoramic sunroof, hands-free trunk release, heated and ventilated front seats, head-up display, and a wireless smartphone charging pad with cooling fan.
Available safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-following assist, blind-spot alert, and a surround-view camera. Safe Exit, a feature that locks the rear doors if there is oncoming traffic, is standard on all non-hybrid models except the base SE.
The Sonata’s dramatic looks and “gee-whiz” technology features certainly attract attention. Save for the sporty N-Line model, the Sonata’s driving personality isn’t as dynamic as its looks might suggest, but it is nonetheless a smooth-riding, versatile midsize sedan with a generous list of desirable available features, easy-to-use controls, and Hyundai’s traditional feature-rich value.[/vc_column_text][mk_divider style=”padding_space” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″][mk_content_box heading=”The Facts”][mk_table el_class=”new-review-specs”]
| Class | Midsize Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai |
| Nation of Manufacture | USA |
| Base Prices | SE: $25,545 SEL: $27,295 SEL Plus: $32,495 Limited: $35,445 N Line: $34,795 Hybrid Blue: $28,445 Hybrid SEL: $31,195 Hybrid Limited: $36,795 |
| Base Engine 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (SE, SEL) |
| Horsepower 191 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 27-28 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 37-38 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (SEL Plus, Limited) |
| Horsepower 180 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 27 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 37 |
| Optional Engine 2.0-liter 4-cylinder/electric motor (Hybrid) |
| Horsepower 189 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 45-50 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 51-54 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (N Line) |
| Horsepower 290 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 23 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 33 |
Test Drive: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited
Test Drive: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited
2020 Chicago Auto Show: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
5 ways Hybrids are Different[/vc_column_text][/mk_content_box][mk_content_box heading=”Also Consider”][vc_column_text]Chevrolet Malibu
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