2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Hyundai has decided to take the plunge into plug-in hybrid technology by debuting its brand new Sonata Plug-In Hybrid for the 2016 model year. Like the regular Sonata Hybrid, the 5-passenger Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is a midsize commuter- and family-oriented sedan that gains all the styling and feature upgrades its fully gas-powered Sonata sibling received for 2015.
Additionally, each 2016 Sonata Hybrid iteration gets a new hybrid-dedicated 4.5-inch driver information display, with the Plug-In Hybrid variant further boasting new-for-2016 BlueLink apps to control, for instance, charging stop/start times, length of charge time, and remote operation of climate control and defrost functions. Both the 2016 Sonata and the upgraded 2016 Sonata Hybrid are covered as separate models.
At the heart of the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid’s eco-prowess is a 2.0-liter direct-injected (DI) inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant mated with a 50-kilowatt electric motor that’ll put out 202 total hp and more than 140 total lb-ft of torque. This nifty plug-in gas/electric system will be managed by a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission that’ll allow it a class-leading 22 miles of all-electric cruising range on a full plug-in charge (at moderate speeds).
The plug-in rechargeable 9.8-kilowatt-per-hour (kWh) lithium polymer battery, meanwhile, can, of course, be juiced up via either the gasoline engine (and regenerative braking) while on the road or by simply plugging it into a 120-volt household outlet. Recharging time for a totally depleted battery using the standard 120-volt system runs about 5 hours, but hooking up to an available 240-volt system cuts recharging time to approximately 2.5 hours. Meantime, mileage is estimated at an eye-opening 38 mpg city/43 highway/40 combined. It should be noted, by the way, that all of the above numbers are offered by way of the Korean automaker’s hoopla-draped introduction of its new plug-in hybrid 4-door at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.
Features-wise, expect the 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid to sport virtually all the bells and whistles of its regular hybrid counterpart, which comes in both a Base trim and an up-featured Limited version. There are hints, however, that the 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid might be delivered in a single trim based on the gasoline-only Sonata’s flagship Limited version.
Should this latest Hyundai plug-in be offered in the single upscale variation, look for standard perks such as the abovementioned Bluetooth-interfaced BlueLink infotainment and the hybrid-dedicated BlueLink driver information monitor (known in Hyundai-land as the Hybrid Performance Display), as well as 17-inch alloy wheels and leather-trimmed upholstery. Further standard cabin features are slated to include full power accessories, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, full power accessories, cruise control, and telescoping tilt-wheel steering.
Additional standard bling is expected to include upscale and unique cabin appointments, a rear-view camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Look as well for such standard entertainment features as a single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio, HD Radio, and an auxiliary audio input.
As for options, an available Premium package, boasting such extras as a glossy exterior finish, a panoramic power sunroof, GPS navigation, upgraded Infinity premium audio with 9 speakers and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, is expected to be the only noteworthy extra-cost add-on offered for this unique Hyundai sedan. Trunk space, by the way, is claimed by Hyundai to be a hefty (for a plug-in hybrid) 13.3 cubic feet.
Look for the debuting 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid to carry the usual complement of safety equipment, including 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, LED daytime running lights, and front fog/driving lights. Additionally, look for turn-signal-integrated mirrors to come standard, as well as a remote antitheft alarm and BlueLink emergency alerts and communications. Oh, and these emergency telematics will now include programmable speed- and audio-volume-limiting technology similar to Ford’s teen-oriented MyKey system. Furthermore, this fuel-miserly brand new 4-door plug-in hybrid will doubtless arrive eligible for such new-for-2016 safety options as lane-keeping assistance, front-collision warnings, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Finally, the 2016 Hyundai Plug-In Hybrid sedan is scheduled to adorn dealer showrooms late in the 2015 model year, but, alas, only in the states of California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
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2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dimension premium brand · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: 4 · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.51
Engine
EV battery capacity: 9.8 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2.75 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 27 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 140 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Rocker panel color: chrome accents · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 17 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 400 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.51
Engine
EV battery capacity: 9.8 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2.75 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 27 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 140 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: sensor-activated · Rocker panel color: chrome accents · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 17 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Infinity · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 400 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: 4 · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.51
Engine
EV battery capacity: 9.8 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2.75 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 27 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 140 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Rocker panel color: chrome accents · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 17 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse