2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Car Seat Check
Hyundai’s midsize sedan was redesigned for 2015, but the hybrid version of the Sonata carried over. For 2016, the Sonata Hybrid is all new and is joined by a plug-in hybrid model for even better fuel efficiency. For the Car Seat Check we tested the regular hybrid model; its ample legroom and exposed Latch anchors helped it earn straight-A grades.
How many car seats fit in the second row? Two
What We Like
- The two sets of Latch anchors are easy to use; they’re under hinged plastic covers that you push back with the Latch connectors to access.
- Both the rear-facing infant and convertible seats went in well and had enough room; we did not have to move the front passenger seat forward to accommodate either child seat.
- The three tether anchors on the rear shelf are clearly marked and accessible; we connected the forward-facing convertible’s top tether strap without a problem.
- The booster fit well on the slightly contoured seat. The buckles are on stable bases, making it easier for kids to buckle up independently.
Grading Scale
A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn’t impact driver or front-passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.
B: Plenty of room. One fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing third row when available.
C: Marginal room. Two fit or connection issues. Difficult to access third row when available.
D: Insufficient room. Two or more fit or connection issues.
F: Does not fit or is unsafe.
About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks
Editors Jennifer Geiger and Jennifer Newman are certified child safety seat installation technicians.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 30 infant-safety seat, a Britax Marathon convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.
We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. To learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks, go here.
Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.
