2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Sedan

Hyundai launched the 2020 Sonata Hybrid in three trims, Blue, SEL & Limited. The base or the Blue trim is offered at a starting price of $27,750 while the mid-trim or the SEL, starts at $29,900. The top-spec trim, Limited, costs $35,300 and comes loaded with everything a customer might want in the segment. 

All the trims come with a Standard 2.0L GDI I-4 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. The power and torque are also the same for all three variants. There is no Sport Suspension on offer which might be a major drawback for customers looking for sporty driving dynamics. Let’s have a brief look at the features offered by each trim.

As can be seen from the above table, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid does not offer any All-wheel-drive system with any of its trims. Hyundai has also discontinued Sonata’s plug-in hybrid version for the 2020 model year which was offered before. In comparison to its rivals such as the Ford Fusion, the Sonata Hybrid simply feels overloaded, thus justifying its more expensive price. 

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Buying Advice

Well, this might be quite confusing to decide. If you want to have a high fuel economy at a low price, then go for the base Blue edition. If you want a little hike in additional features and comfort, then opt for the SEL edition and the costly Limited edition has an additional solar roof and almost all trending safety and infotainment features. It is to be noted that both SEL and Limited trims have lesser mpg (47 mpg combined) than the Blue trim. Finally, we would recommend the SEL version as it has a decent price tag and comes with adequate safety and comfort features.

This Korean manufacturer has always stood high in terms of the quality and reliability of its products. The improved manufacturing processes have tightened the quality control which improves the reliability factor of each system. The vehicle is light on the pocket as well due to its lower maintenance and repair cost. Especially the Hybrid variant saves a lot on fuel cost due to its higher mileage.

What is the Reliability and Ownership Costs of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

We look at the J.D. Power report which helps us understand the overall experience of the customers with this vehicle. J.D. is an organization that collects feedback from the actual customers of a vehicle and rates the vehicle on different parameters. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has scored an impressive on the build quality and reliability of the vehicle. This is also backed up by no complaints and recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid as per the reports published by NHTSA. Thus there is no doubt about the reliability of the Sonata Hybrid.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has received an overall rating of 81 out of 100. While this doesn’t put it in the list of consumer rated top 10 sedans, it still scores an impressive overall score. It has received a score of 86 out of 100 on the driving experience and we couldn’t agree more. It definitely is one of the best points of the Sonata Hybrid. It does lack the dealership experience and thus misses a place in the top 10 list.

The cost of ownership of the Sonata Hybrid changes from state to state as each state has its own tax laws. But the true cost of ownership is not just the upfront cash paid to buy this vehicle, but also includes multiple components like the insurance, maintenance and repair cost, fuel, and finally, the major chunk is depreciation over the years. Thus the real cost of ownership is way more than the actual cost of the vehicle. 

As per the table above, the real cost of owning a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is around $35,328 over a period of 5-years. The vehicle steeply loses its value to depreciation in the first year itself and then falls at a constant rate over the next few years. But the Hybrid Sonata still saves you a lot of money on the fuel cost. The Hybrid engine provides great mileage and thus reduces dollar per mile cost. This also improves the resale value of the vehicle as thus it scores 82 out of 100 on the J.D. Power rating. 

What kind of Warranty does Hyundai offer?

It won’t be an understatement when we say that Hyundai provides its customers with the best warranty packages in this segment. The powertrain along with the lithium-ion battery pack is covered for a whooping 10-years or 100,000 miles whoever is earlier. None of its competitors covers the powertrains for such a long period. There are several other warranties available with the new vehicle and the following is the list of that.

Miles Per Dollar

To calculate the total miles with every dollar spent we look into the average cost of maintenance along with the fuel costs for each year. As per the above cost of ownership table, the average cost of both these components comes around $1260. If we assume that the vehicle covers an average of 15,000-miles every year, then dividing the total miles by the average cost per year comes down to approximately 12-miles per dollar. 

While all the trims have been heavily loaded with most of the features, even the Blue trim would satisfy all your needs. But we would suggest to spend a little more and opt for the SEL trim at $29,900. it offers the best value for the extra money with its bigger 17-inch wheels, better seating adjustments, Bose audio system, and remote access to your vehicle. 

Is buying a used Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a good idea?

As the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is an all-new generation you currently don’t have an option to buy a used one. But as we have seen over the years, the Hybrid Sonata loses a lot of its value due to depreciation in the first year itself. So if you are ready to wait a year or two you would get this vehicle at a much better price and save approximately $10,000 dollars while receiving the same level of performance from a new one. 

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid comes with a 2.0L GDI Atkinson Cycle DOHC I-4 engine, which is the same for all three trims. The engine powers up to 150hp and 139lb.ft torque assisted with an electric motor which adds power and torque of 51hp and 151lb.ft further. The Sonata Hybrid has excellent throttle response, aided by a 6-speed transmission that uses a new technology called Active Shift Control (ASC). 

The car monitors engine rotation speed and uses the electric motor to ensure the transmission speed matches. This makes up for the lack of a torque converter and, according to Hyundai, boosts shift speed by 30%. Overall this sedan will give you a smooth drift performance both on the city and highway.

As compared above, the Sonata Hybrid is special among its rivals using a 6-speed auto transmission, rather than the CVT which is used in other cars. But it is to be noted that in the area of power and torque, the Honda Accord Hybrid performs well offering high results and also at low starting cost than others. 

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Acceleration 

It takes 8.2 seconds for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to go from 0 to 60mph and 16.2sec to complete its quarter-mile distance. The 2.0L GDI Atkinson Cycle DOHC I-4 engine gives 192 combined horsepower and with 6-speed automatic transmission, you get decent overall performance. Being a hybrid car and not a sports car, the Sonata Hybrid is a family and frugality-oriented sedan. So, it is better not to expect lightning-fast acceleration. 

Upon comparing, it is evident that the Sonata Hybrid is for sure not a sports sedan, and Hyundai concentrated on fuel economy. Including top speed, the Sonata Hybrid lagged behind all other hybrid sedans. Whereas, the Honda Accord Hybrid does perform well in this sector.

Ride and Handling

When it comes to riding and handling the Sonata Hybrid, it is smooth and quiet as you ride the hybrid. It is quiet enough that you cannot figure out when the car started. Active Shift Control does a good job and shifting gears automatically or manually there won’t be any unresponsiveness. The ride quality is good but you can feel the bumps and Hyundai has to work on the suspension system. 

Handling is also decent with all safety features onboard there are no worries in the car. Unfortunately, Hyundai hasn’t provided the all-wheel-drive option to Sonata Hybrid, all the three trims come with FWD only. Thus, Hyundai needs to work on ride quality as well as the handling of the Sonata Hybrid in order to get its dynamics more sorted.

Braking Performance

Though there is no official data about the brake rotors of the 2020 Hyundai sonata hybrid, we have taken the data of the sonata non-hybrid version. But it is to be noted that this sedan has decent torque and curb weight which gives it enough power to stop the car at a short distance. But at higher speeds, it is an average performer. Overall, under braking, category 2020 Sonata Hybrid is a decent performer.

When coming to braking, as we don’t have enough data from the sedan owners, we cannot conclude which car is the best performer. But we can assure that looking upon the assumed data, the Hybrid Sonata is an average performer.

This is a significant aspect where the car gets a huge response. The fuel economy of the Sonata Hybrid SEL is 45 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway and 47 mpg combined which a decent performer in its segment. The Blue edition gives a furthermore fuel economy of 52 mpg combined (50city/54hwy) at low cost than the SEL edition but lacks some features. With a fuel tank capacity of 13.2 gallons, this sedan will provide decent savings for your fuel. 

From the above comparison, we can know that the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has decent mileage among its rivals. Though Hyundai has not announced the range officially, we would expect it to be over 610miles combined. Whereas the Toyota Camry Hybrid has won the comparison with an unbeatable 52mpg combined and a range of 686 miles combined.

That also at a price lesser than the Sonata Hybrid. Hyundai has to work more in this area to beat Toyota.

The interior of the Sonata Hybrid is a mixed combination of plastics and cloth material stitching. Firstly, the dashboard is wide and has a chrome lining in the middle that runs all the way from end to end. There is an 8-inch color touch screen in the middle with beautiful options inside. The AC vents are wide enough and controls are also given chrome touches and they are smooth to use. The doors are also equipped with cloth finish and metal lining which feels quite premium to touch.

The controls are handy for the driver and are within a reachable spot, meaning that the ergonomics are well sorted. Premium cloth seating surfaces give enough comfort and the Limited trim offers leather seats for that extra bit of luxury feel. The driver’s seat is 8-way powered with a power lumbar and there is a 4-way power front passenger seat. Both the front seats have a heating and cooling option. Dual automatic temperature control, Leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free with wireless audio streaming, are some additional interior features that are offered.

 When we talk about the interior, the Sonata Hybrid offers decent cabin space and there won’t be any discomfort when the rear seats are filled with three persons.

Also, the truck capacity is decent among its rivals offering 16cu.ft. which can accommodate your family’s luggage. Whereas Honda Accord Hybrid gives more cargo space for a much less price tag.

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Though the high Limited Trim has the most sophisticated features in it, as we are dealing with the SEL trim let’s stick on to that. Let’s look at what the Sonata Hybrid SEL has inside to entertain you. The SEL trim has a smooth responsive 8-inch color touch screen with HD Radio and SiriusXM inbuilt whose performance is smooth for day-to-day usage. We found no lags and also the visibility is adequate in the daytime. It has Bose premium audio with 12 speakers and these will immerse you in the world of music.

 Hyundai has given default nature sounds which are unique in this car. Also, the glasses are soundproof thereby blocking the outside noises from entering the cabin. The navigation system has Apple CarPlay & Android Auto by default, so there won’t be any issues with finding your route. Another specialty of this car is that it comes with a Wireless device charging spot. Overall, you will enjoy the infotainment system on this sedan without any discomfort or fuss.

The 2020 Sonata Hybrid sedan has a stunning sports look and for sure the looks will have a tempting result on the customer’s attraction. The new sedan has a more sleek and dynamic look which has improved the drag reduction effect on the vehicle. There are small vortex creators at the back of the car on each side. This improves the car’s agility and you can observe it on highways mostly. 

There is a chrome line running from each headlight all the way back past the rear doors which gives additional beauty to the exterior. And also it is worth mentioning that this feature Is distinctive and is not available for any other rival in the segment. Some of the design highlights are:

• Automatic control LED headlights.
• Completely equipped with LED lights all around the vehicle.
• Automatic High Beam Assist.
• Heated side mirrors.
• Acoustic film front door glass and windshield.

Let’s have an exterior comparison between the Sonata Hybrid and its rivals.

The Gloss black front grille was newly introduced and it has been augmented by active-aero flaps to reduce drag. The unique set of 17-inch wheels brings this car to the ground. Also, another unique stylish feature of this car is its back design with a chrome finish and the beautifully aligned LED taillight design. When it comes to the exterior Sonata is compact like the other cars. There is no much difference to be mentioned here.

Safety is another area where the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid shines among its competitors. Hyundai surprising has given almost many trending safety features as Standard ones for the Hybrid car. Here both Blue and SEL editions have shared the same safety features. Let’s have a look at ensuring the safety features of this hybrid sedan.

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Driver Attention Warning and Rear Occupant Alert
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist 
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 
• Traction Control Support (TCS) 
• Brake Assist (BA)

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Honda Accord Hybrid

In comparison, the 2020 Honda Accord is a good one to consider as it comes with a much lower price than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. It also gives high power and torque output than that of the Sonata Hybrid.

But when it comes to riding quality and handling, Sonata Hybrid does perform well. It runs smoothly and quietly. Also, Sonata Hybrid offers better safety features than the Accord Hybrid which might matter to some customers more than others.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Toyota Camry Hybrid LE

The 2020 Toyota Camry offers nearly equal fuel ratings to the Sonata Hybrid. It has a higher side on power and torque capacities and also comes at a lower price than the Sonata Hybrid SEL edition.

However, the 2020 Sonata Hybrid cannot be matched in terms of safety features. In fact, it offers quite a lot of technological advantages and features for the price. But reliability is your prime concern, the Toyota Camry Hybrid should on top of your buying list.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

The 2020 Ford Fusion offers a good infotainment system and quiet interior features, sacrificing the headroom. It also comes at a low price than the 2020 Sonata Hybrid. Ford’s reliability and after-sales service have proved to be better than that of Hyundai.

However, overall, the Sonata Hybrid is good to choose as it has better features and technology. Thus, it justifies its higher price due to the extra features as well as higher efficiency.

If you want a feature-packed sedan, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid does not leave much to be desired. In terms of performance, however, Hyundai needs to pack in more punch as the sedan feels neither powerful nor feels confident in terms of driving dynamics. The ride quality certainly needs an improvement, which is the case with many other Hyundai cars as well. However, if you want a sedan to drive you to work and back home every day without a hiccup, the Sonata Hybrid can be a perfect choice. Thus, with its stunning looks, solid warranty, abundant standard features, and exceptional real-world fuel economy, this Hybrid is certainly worth buying at its price tag.