2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs

With only minor additions made to the premium package, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is unchanged in its second year of production. This midsize sedan has a number of touches and affordability that make it stand out against hybrid competition such as the Ford Fusion, Honda Civic and Toyota Camry.

The front-wheel-drive 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is available in a single trim – the Base – which comes standard with a 206-hp 2.4-liter Atkinson 16-valve, 4-cylinder hybrid engine with 6-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic. The Sonata Hybrid is estimated to achieve 193 lb-ft of torque and get 35 mpg city/40 highway.

Standard features for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata include automatic climate control, cruise control, a rear-window defroster, 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat (with lumbar support), front dual reclining bucket seats (with driver-adjustable seat height), power windows, programmable power door locks (operated via remote, card key and internal switch with automatic locking), power steering, leather steering wheel (with tilt-and-telescopic steering column), steering-wheel-mounted controls (for audio, cruise control and wireless enabled devices), electroluminescent instrument cluster (with 4.2-inch multifunction trip computer), 104-watt AM/FM radio (with 6 speakers, CD and MP3 player; Sirius XM radio (with 3-month trial subscription), Bluetooth HandsFree system access, front auxiliary audio input jack, USB port, front iPod auxiliary audio input jack, Blue Link Telematics (including automatic collision notification, emergency response, internet services, points of interest, remote unlocking, navigation, stolen vehicle tracking, vehicle diagnostics and vehicle service reminders), headlights (with led accents), fog lights, side-mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, LED taillights, a vehicle antitheft alarm (with engine immobilizer) and 16-inch eco-spoke alloy wheels (with all-season tires).

Safety features abound on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. There are driver and front passenger frontal airbags, seat-mounted front side airbags, front and rear side head curtain airbags, front active head restraints and side guard door beams. Other standard safety features include 4-wheel front and rear power ventilated disc brakes, antilock braking system (with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assistance and regenerative braking system), traction control, electronic stability control and a tire pressure monitor.

One upgrade package – the Premium package – is available for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. It features a panoramic sunroof (with tilt and slide), 17-inch Eco-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, a navigation system (with high-resolution touchscreen), rear backup camera, Infinity premium speakers (with subwoofer and 400-watt external amplifier), HD Radio technology, heated front and rear leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, auto-dimming inside rear-view mirror (with compass), premium door sill plates and glossy door surround and outside mirror housing.

Interior color options for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid are Gray or Camel, depending on your choice of exterior color, which are Silver Frost Metallic, Hyper Silver Metallic, Porcelain White Pearl, Blue Sky Metallic, Black Onyx Pearl – all of which can have a gray interior – and Venetian Red Pearl along with Porcelain White Pearl and Black Onyx Pearl, which can have a camel interior.

Owners rave about the amount of car they got for their money with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, especially the amount of power the powertrain produces. Several owners remark how well the Sonata Hybrid handles freeway driving, with plenty of acceleration when needed. Others mention how smooth the Sonata Hybrid rides, with minimal exterior noises creeping in. City driving takes a little getting used to, however, as a couple of owners note that the Sonata Hybrid remains in EV (Electric Vehicle) mode when stopped in traffic, and it takes a couple of seconds for the gas engine to reconnect.

The use of the lighter 270-volt lithium polymer battery as opposed to the nickel-metal hybride battery pack found in competing hybrid sedans help the Sonata Hybrid achieve better horsepower and torque figures, as well as hold a charge longer. Additionally, the use of a regular automatic transmission rather than a continuously variable automatic transmission makes the Sonata Hybrid more fun to drive and helps it achieve better fuel mileage than some competitive hybrids.