A bright light (blue, of course) amid dismal sales reports for hybrid automobiles is the six-month report of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, spurred by its regenerated 2016 model.
Hyundai’s “blue drive system” smooths and quickens the hybrid pulse with a new 2.0-liter engine and electric motor (tied to a 6-speed automatic transmission), a lighter lithium-ion polymer battery pack, stop-start capability, redesigned brakes and an especially low drag coefficient.
The new one delivers an EPA miles-per-gallon rating of 39 city and 43 highway, up 3 mpg from the 36/40 rating of a Hyundai hybrid I drove a couple of years ago. Kick in its sport mode for increased throttle and tighter steering and it performs beyond the standards of other hybrids.
Hybrid sales, overall, are down 18 percent in the U.S. in 2015. As gas prices remain below $3 per gallon, consumer focus is heavier toward pickups, SUVs and crossovers.
Of the 15 top-selling hybrids, all except the new Sonata have suffered sizable slips in sales for the past six months.
Sales for the perennial leader Toyota Prius Liftback hybrid have declined by 14 percent over the same period a year ago. Even sharper hybrid losses are 39 percent for the Ford Fusion, 30.5 for the Lincoln MKZ, 30 for Toyota Avalon, 28.5 for Toyota Camry, 28.2 for Lexus ES and 24.3 for Lexus RX450h.
The Sonata, on the other hand, since January has sold 11,828 hybrids, compared with 11,349 at this time a year ago, an increase of 4.2 percent.
Against the newness of the hybrid powertrain, Hyundai planners seemed to turn very conservative in their approach to the sedan’s exterior design and finish. It’s all right, but lacks the pizzazz of the past (fluidic sculpture, Hyundai called it).
Once inside, though, a wide, horizontal center stack, lit up in blue lights at night, is gorgeous, rivaling the dash attractions of some of the premium luxury sedans. A roomy back seat and full-length sunroof are other interior features.
The 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, is rated at 154 horsepower and 140-lb.-ft. of torque. With the addition of the electric motor, combined hybrid output is 193 horsepower for the front-wheel-drive four-door. Hyundai believes its automatic transmission gives it an edge in performance over those competitors which are equipped with continuously variable transmissions.
The hybrid battery pack is hidden beneath a flat trunk floor, which leaves 13.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The available storage would be even smaller, except for the fact there is no spare tire in the trunk. It has a tire mobility kit with small air compressor and canister of liquid sealant in case of flat.
The “smart trunk” opens automatically if the driver, with Proximity Key in a pocket, moves within 3 feet of the back of the vehicle for more than 3 seconds.
The ’16 Sonata Hybrid I drove was the Limited trim level, which added leather seats (heated and cooled in front and heated in rear), lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems, smart cruise control, navigation with 8-inch touchscreen display and Infinity surround sound.
Sticker price on the Hyundai is $35,765.
Also offered for the Hyundai is a plug-in electric hybrid, which, Hyundai claims, can run 24 miles on electric-only driving before the gas engine is needed.
The top 20 sellers of hybrids for the first six months of the year are Toyota Prius Liftback with 54,173; Toyota Prius C 18,921; Toyota Camry 15,571; Toyota Prius V 14,165; Ford Fusion 12,683; Hyundai Sonata 11,828; Ford C-Max 7,640; Lexus CT200h 7,123; Honda Accord 6,407; Toyota Avalon 5,671; Kia Optima 5,340; Lexus ES 4,991; Lincoln MKZ 4,180; Subaru XV Crosstrek 3,250; Lexus RX450h 3,185; Buick LaCrosse 2,707; Honda Civic 2,264; Infiniti Q50 2,040; Toyota Highlander 1,758 and Honda CR-Z 1,292.
Here are the specifications for the ’16 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:
- Capacity 5-passenger sedan
- Wheelbase 110.4 inches
- Length 191.1 inches
- Width 73.4 inches
- Height 57.9 inches
- Curb Weight 3,560 pounds
- Track 63.1 inches front, 63.3 rear
- Ground Clearance 5.3 inches
- Turn Circle 35.6 feet
- Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
- Engine 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
- Horsepower/Torque 154/140
- Motor 270v electric
- Transmission 6-speed automatic
- Steering power rack-and-pinion
- Suspension MacPherson strut front, multilink rear
- Fuel mileage estimate 39/43
- Fuel mileage average 39.8
- Fuel Tank 15.85 gallons, regular
- Wheels 17-inch
- Tires Kumho Solus 215/55R17
- Cargo Volume 13.3 cubic feet
- Warranty 5 years/60,000 miles basic, 10/100,000 powertrain
Competitors Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Toyota Prius Liftback
Assembly Plant Asan, Korea
Parts Content U.S./Canadian 1%, Korea 91%
Base Price of Lowest Model $27,500; Base Price of Review Model $30,100; Destination Charge $825; Sticker Price $35,765.