2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$27,750 to $35,300

Original MSRP

7.7
of 10

expert review

4.4

avg user rating

(10 reviews)

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Fuel-efficient

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • All-wheel drive not available

7.7
out of 10
expert review
Look & feel
8/10
Technology
8/10
Performance
7/10
Safety
9/10
Form & function
6/10
Cost-effectiveness
8/10
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Test Drive Review summaryImage

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid delivers impressive fuel economy without sacrificing any of the attributes that make it a terrific family sedan.

Over the past two decades, our understanding of what a hybrid can be has changed. Hybrids have grown from standalone models like the Toyota Prius to more mainstream SUVs and sedans. Today, many of the most popular sedans on the road are offered with hybrid powertrains, including the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. It offers all the trappings of a comfortable, well-equipped midsize sedan with a fuel-efficient powertrain that also delivers solid performance.
8/10

The eight-generation Hyundai Sonata was introduced for the 2020 model year and is carried over into the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The new look is bold compared to its predecessor. Even in a sedan market where many of the entries are embracing aggressive styling, the Sonata Hybrid stands out. Comparing to other hybrid midsize sedans, the Honda Accord Hybrid feels more upscale at times and has a more powerful hybrid system that yields better acceleration. The Camry Hybrid has similar performance, though its steering can feel numb at times. The Camry Hybrid also has a smaller trunk and its infotainment has comparatively low resolution.

Some may be put off by the catfish-like styling, but it is sure to stand out in a crowded parking lot! Our test model came with a sharp-looking matte gray paint scheme. It works well with neat details like the integrated deck-lid spoiler and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights.

While the exterior is designed to turn heads, the cabin is more conventional and refined. Our test model came with plenty of soft-touch surfaces, though the dash is still hard to the touch. Despite being a high-tech cockpit, all the buttons are located logically on a modern, haptic bezel that surrounds the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats are comfortable and supportive, even for long trips. Rear-seat passengers will be comfortable as well.

Trims for the Sonata Hybrid are Blue, SEL, and Limited. The Blue comes standard with 16-inch “Eco-spoke” aerodynamic wheels, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and push-button start.

The SEL adds dual USB ports, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, a Bose premium audio system, heated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and four-way power-adjustable front seats. The SEL also adds 17-inch Eco-spoke wheels, heated side mirrors, and acoustic glass for the front doors.

We drove the range-topping Limited trim. One of its key highlights/party tricks is its solar panel roof. The Limited also adds rain-sensing windshield wipers, full LED headlights, leather upholstery (including a leather dashboard), heated-and-ventilated front seats, and a larger touchscreen. The SEL also adds a rear center armrest with cupholders, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, LED cabin lighting, and ambient interior accent lighting with 64 customizable colors.

George Kennedy
Published Jun 25, 2021 by George Kennedy
From open-wheel racecars to specialty off-road vehicles, George Kennedy has driven it all. A career automotive journalist, George has been a contributor, editor, and/or producer at some of the most respected publications and outlets, including Consumer Reports, the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Autoblog.com, Hemmings Classic Wheels, BoldRide.com, the Providence Journal, and WheelsTV.

User reviews for 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

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User rating:
by Gustavo G
Feb 22, 2024
This car has EVERYTHING! The Limited trim is just luxurious and technologically advanced . I’ve been driving it for three days, put over 200 miles and averaging 58MPG. I’ve had Hyundai before as well as luxury brands. With the Sonata hybrid I get all the luxury and tech for a great value!Feb 22, 2024
by Manish J
Aug 26, 2023
This is a rental vehicle, it is in fair condition.Aug 26, 2023
by Stephen G
Oct 09, 2022
Extremely comfortable, elegant. The tech inside is amazing. Highly recommend.Oct 09, 2022

2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Pricing

Original MSRP
$27,750 to $35,300
Price range
$18,239 to $20,295
Average price on CG
$18,239
YoY price change
$20,055 to $18,239

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 · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: urethane

Convenience Features

Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.51

Engine

EV battery capacity: 1.6 kWh · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 51 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 39 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 150 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 139 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · 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: black · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · 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 · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · 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 manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Kit: tire sealant

Steering

Steering ratio: 13.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: MyHyundai with Blue Link · Smart device app function: maintenance scheduling

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 · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: Bose · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.51

Engine

EV battery capacity: 1.6 kWh · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 51 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 39 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 150 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 139 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · 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: black · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Travel Link · 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 · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · 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 · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 13.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: MyHyundai with Blue Link · Smart device app function: maintenance status

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · 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 · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · 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: 1.6 kWh · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 51 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 39 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 150 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 139 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · 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: black · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 10.25 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Sunroof: solar panel

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Blind spot safety: passenger side camera · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · 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 · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 13.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 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: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: MyHyundai with Blue Link · Smart device app function: horn/light operation

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: speed sensitive · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (3)