2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: What's New

Vehicle Overview

The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan that competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion in the crowded family-car segment. The Sonata was redesigned for the 2011 model year and receives much more distinctive styling and better gas mileage.

(Skip to details on the: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Turbo)

Exterior
The Sonata’s sloping roof shows glimpses of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and VW CC, yet it’s distinctive enough to stand out among its direct competitors like the Camry and Accord.

The Sonata’s face has also been altered, and it now features a wide chrome grille and long, thin headlights that run into the fenders. Chrome trim around the side windows is a common styling cue for this segment; Hyundai has taken it a step further by extending the chrome strip, which sits at the base of the windows, forward along the sides of the hood to the headlights.

The base GLS trim level has standard 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps while top-of-the-line Limited versions have 17-inch alloy wheels. Midrange SE models also have alloy wheels, but they’re even larger at 18 inches across.

Interior
Hyundai significantly updated the Sonata’s interior for the 2009 model year with better materials. Although the cabin design of the 2011 model is all-new, materials quality seems about the same; it’s still competitive but doesn’t notably raise the bar for the class, which is already fairly high. Less compelling is the appearance of the faux wood and silver accents in the middle of the dash of Limited models.

The sleek new exterior design has consequences for backseat passenger space. While legroom is good — it’s close to what you’ll find in a Camry or Accord — there’s not much extra headroom for taller adults, and those same people might find that they have to dip their head when exiting to avoid bumping it on the headliner.

Under the Hood
The Sonata is powered by a 198-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder features direct injection for better gas mileage, more power and lower emissions. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a hybrid model are scheduled to arrive later in 2010.

Safety
Six airbags are standard, as are active front head restraints, an electronic stability system with traction control, and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The Sonata Hybrid combines a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a 30-kilowatt electric motor for a total output of 209 hp, which is slightly more than the base four-cylinder Sonata’s output. Hyundai says overall gas mileage will be 34/39 mpg city/highway, putting it ahead of the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 33/34 mpg and just short of the Ford Fusion Hybrid’s 41/36 mpg.

There’s a litany of visual changes versus the regular Sonata that include a large, hexagonal front air dam; unique headlights and taillights; new side sills; and the requisite hybrid badges. Inside, an LCD screen around the gauges shows energy flow between the various drivetrain components, as well as indicators for electric mode, battery charge and gas mileage. Back to top

Hyundai Sonata Turbo
True to its name, the Sonata 2.0T has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a V-6-like 274 hp and 269 pounds-feet of torque. Unlike the gaggle of V-6 family cars on the market, the Sonata Turbo gets a fuel-efficient 22/34 mpg city/highway in EPA estimates. It also doesn’t need premium gas. Available in SE or Limited trim levels, the 2.0T uses a six-speed automatic. Both trims get 18-inch wheels, steering-wheel paddle shifters and dual tailpipes. The Limited 2.0T adds a panoramic moonroof. Back to top