2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in,power departments of 2018 Hyundai Sonata , II 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrids revealed in Chicago
Contrary to what might be popular opinion, hybrids and plug-in hybrids exist not to save people money. Rather, they exist to meet federal regulations.
Yes, some people buy them because they want to spend less money on gas. Others may choose them in order to do their part toward improving the environment. But if car companies didn’t need to meet federal regulations related to fuel economy and vehicle emissions, hybrids and plug-ins wouldn’t exist because a sound business case for them doesn’t exist.
This is especially true in America, where gas is cheap and trucks rule. Look around. Lifted and loud, V8-powered pickups are the hot thing in many parts of the country. Do you think those people care about fuel economy, the environment, or aerodynamics? They do not (though they are the first people moved nearly to tears when gas prices spike).
Hyundai, like most car companies, invested heavily in alternative powertrains following the Great Recession. They’ve got hybrids. They’ve got plug-ins. They’ve got fuel cells. They were ready for the long haul, a future where gas cost more than five bucks a gallon and EPA regulations demanded significant improvement in corporate average fuel economy standards.
Whoops.
While it may be true that such vehicles are a tough sell today, electrification of drivetrains is the future. In fact, it’s already here. Some vehicles come standard with light-electrified hybrid drivetrains, and more are on the horizon as companies announce that they will electrify all of their vehicles in a matter of years.
So, while pundits might ask Hyundai “Where are your SUVs?” and “Where is your pickup truck?” today, the fact that they continue to offer the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid appears to be a good bet on the future.
Changes to the 2018 Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
Aside from minor design details, the dashboard and controls are the same as before, but more sophisticated in terms of appearance.
(DAVID DEWHURST PHOTOGRAPHY)Wisely, the new models are visually identical to the standard Sonatas, save for unique Eco-Wheel designs for improved aerodynamics (0.24 according to Hyundai) and Blue Drive badges.
If you need a refresher, this means that the sheetmetal forward of the windshield is new, as are the trunk lid, rear bumper, and taillights. The look adds plenty of character to a car previously lacking it. Inside, minor trim and design details change, and a new steering wheel is installed. Mechanically, Hyundai revises the steering assist and tightens up the suspension for improved ride and handling characteristics.
Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is now standard, the opposite of what most companies are doing, which is to make forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard. Those features are optional for the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, along with a lane departure warning system with lane keeping assist.
A new infotainment system debuts for 2018, with a substantial increase in the free trial period for Blue Link subscription services, upgraded to three full years. Additionally, the navigation system gains a bird’s eye map view and new Here HD real-time traffic data. The Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid also offer new Qi wireless device charging and a new rear USB charging port.
How is the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid different from the Sonata Hybrid?
Because the 2018 Sonata Hybrid’s battery lives under the trunk floor, cargo space shrinks to 13.3 cu.-ft., about the same size as the subcompact Accent seda.
Preliminary EPA figures are 39-mpg city, 45-mpg highway, and 42 mpg in combined driving. Hyundai says the Hybrid’s driving range is 650 miles on a tank of gas.
The Sonata Plug-in uses a battery five times the size of the Sonata Hybrid’s, and swaps the 38-kW electric motor for a 50-kW unit. These changes are necessary to deliver 27 miles of electric driving range. In combination with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, total output is 202 hp. and range amounts to 590 miles.
Hyundai says the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid recharges in about three hours when using a Level 2 charger, and about nine hours using a standard household outlet. Trunk space takes a big hit, though, measuring just 9.9 cu.-ft., which is about double that of a Mazda Miata. But, up to nearly $5,000 in tax credits and, potentially, a carpool lane sticker help to make up for it.
Can Hyundai’s changes to the 2018 Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Plug-in Hybrid improve the car’s fortunes? Until gas gets expensive again, that’s unlikely. But the consumer apathy is not for Hyundai’s lack of trying.
First Pictures: 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the Hyundai Sonata just received the same visual updates as the non-electrified version, plus an array of mechanical tweaks that promise to improve efficiency across the board. Both hybrid models made their debut at the annual Chicago Auto Show.
Let’s start with what you see: The Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid now fall in line with Hyundai’s current design language. They get a more expressive face that incorporates the cascading grille seen on other members of the lineup, including the second-generation Veloster introduced last month. Hyundai also updated the interior with a new instrument panel and a redesigned steering wheel.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come standard. The list of electronic driving aids now includes a blind-spot monitoring system, lane change assist, and rear cross traffic alert. Buyers can order lane-keeping assist and automatic braking at an extra cost.
Peel back the Sonata Hybrid’s sheet metal and you’ll find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that shifts though a six-speed automatic transmission. Place the gearbox in an X-ray machine and you’ll see it integrates an electric motor that, at 38 kilowatts, is bigger than the unit found in the outgoing car. The Sonata can decouple its four-cylinder engine from the rest of the drivetrain and rely solely on the electric motor for forward motion as long as it doesn’t exceed 75 mph. The firm hasn’t published driving range yet.
The Sonata Hybrid boasts 193 horsepower with both power sources turned on. Hyundai expects the model will return 39 mpg in the city, 45 mpg on the highway, and 42 mpg in a combined cycle, figures that fall on the low side in the segment. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid returns 46 mpg; the Toyota Camry Hybrid leads the pack at 52 mpg.
The Sonata Plug-In Hybrid follows a similar recipe with different ingredients. It gets the same 2.0-liter and six-speed as the plug-less Sonata, but it benefits from a 50-kilowatt electric motor and a battery pack that’s five times larger. The end result is a 202-horsepower plug-in powertrain with an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated electric-only range of up to 27 miles. Recharging the battery takes approximately three hours when the Sonata draws electricity through a level two charger.
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will go on sale in the first quarter of the year. Buyers ogling the plug-in hybrid model will need to wait until the second quarter. Both hybrids will roll off the same assembly line in Asan, South Korea. Look for a pricing announcement before then.
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