Highway Take a look at: 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Restricted

Easy, Quiet and 50+ MPG

Whereas the seems to be are what catches the attention within the 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Restricted, it’s the effectivity that raises an eyebrow. Hyundai has electrification discovered, with the Sonata Hybrid reaping the advantages in what could also be one of the best hybrid sedan you should buy.

In a really brief few years sedans have misplaced their favor with automotive customers. The ever-present SUV, crossover or truck have turn into the belle of the ball, getting all the eye whereas the poor four-door sedan is like the child that will get picked final for the baseball crew. That is unhappy, however fully unwarranted as a few of the greatest autos Clear Fleet Report evaluations are sedans—and the 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Restricted is a type of.

Easy Effectivity

The front-wheel drive Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower (hp) and 139 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The 39 kilowatt (kW) electrical motor provides 29 hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque, for a complete system 192 hp and 210 lb.-ft. of torque.

The shift-by-wire 6-speed digital automated, which is engaged by pushing buttons on the middle console, has a Shiftronic mode and paddle shifters. The Drive Mode Choose helps you get probably the most efficiency and gas effectivity from the hybrid system with selections of Good, Regular, Sport and Customized. The system defaults to Regular when restarting the engine when you have been in Sport mode, in any other case it stays within the final mode setting. For probably the most efficiency, go for Sport, the place the steering effort is elevated and there’s added responsiveness of the engine and transmission. Regular and Good will give one of the best gas economic system By the touchscreen you possibly can configure a Customized setting.

The torque comes on easily at a low 1,800 rpm and pulls robust to five,000 rpms giving respectable acceleration with 0-60 occasions round 8.0 seconds. That is ample energy to stand up to hurry, however it isn’t a sports activities sedan, though the hybrid system is peppy and the dealing with is sort of good for the five-passenger sedan weighing in at 3,530 kilos.

The EPA estimates gas economic system to be 45 mpg metropolis/51 freeway/47 mixed, numbers that make Clear Fleet Report smile, as we’re completely happy to drive a automotive that could be a severe gas sipper. Throughout our week within the Sonata Hybrid, we drove 345 miles via Southern California, averaging 49.3 mpg. Our freeway gas economic system check loop of 210 miles, with the adaptive cruise management set to 65 mph, averaged a really spectacular 55.8 mpg. On shorter legs, if even for a quick time, we touched 60 mpg.

The slippery aerodynamics are partially because of the deflectors of easy underbody panels that block air going to the engine when in electrical mode, and tiny rear lamp fins to enhance air circulate, leading to a 0.24 coefficient of drag. Since this isn’t a plug-in hybrid, the Sonata Hybrid doesn’t have a devoted EV mode. However you might be rewarded for a lightweight contact on the accelerator pedal, because it runs in electrical mode when cruising on the freeway, and far of the time when driving on the town. Gasoline economic system numbers reported by Clear Fleet Report are non-scientific and signify the reviewer’s driving expertise utilizing the sprint gauge laptop. Your numbers might differ.

The Sonata Hybrid has a stable and assured experience on the 17-inch wheels and the 215/55 Michelin Primacy all-season tires. The experience is comfy, with little wind noise, and solely the harshest street imperfections transmitted sounds to the cabin. Cornering was succesful when pushed, however it isn’t sporty, so searching-out mountain corners ought to be changed with hitting the open street. Kia does make two very succesful sporty sedans, the Stinger and the K5, that may fulfill your carving wants. Should you go for the Sonata with the gasoline-only engine, there are 18-inch and 19-inch wheel choices.

The facility-assisted steering was direct and gave good street suggestions. The regenerative brakes (the system that places electrical energy again into the battery when coasting or stopping) had a progressive really feel, producing straight and true stops.

A security characteristic on the Sonata Hybrid is a whirring sound when driving at very sluggish speeds in EV mode. This sci-fi sound is there to warn pedestrians {that a} fully silent car is approaching from behind. It really works exceptionally nicely at crosswalks and in procuring heart parking heaps.

Not Bland, Not Boring

When the Sonata was redesigned in 2020, it had a glance all to itself. The four-door coupe with a fastback roof is barely the beginning of what makes it so distinct. It’s highlighted by a particular LED head gentle design, which is edged by a really distinctive and compelling daylight operating gentle strip. The sunshine strip runs up the fenders from beneath every headlight, then turns into a chrome strip that extends to the skin rearview mirrors. The strip seems to be chrome throughout the day, however at evening, it lights up.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is available in three trim ranges—Blue, SES and Restricted. Clear Fleet Report was driving the extremely optioned Restricted, which had the usual photo voltaic panel roof that prices the 12-volt and hybrid batteries, producing two miles of electrical driving vary for each six hours the automotive is left within the solar. Over the course of a yr, Hyundai says it may add greater than 700 miles of driving vary. The photo voltaic roof means getting a sunroof is just not doable, however we really feel it’s a good tradeoff for this added degree of excessive tech wizardry.

Clear Fleet Report’s Sonata Hybrid was painted in Shimmering Silver, with the sleek sides having a tasteful chrome strip across the home windows. The swept-back coupe look results in a particular rear finish design dominated by an LED strip, stretching from edge-to-edge of the trunk lid. This horizontal lighting connects the brake lights, which have small air circulate fins. Further exterior colours embrace Nocturne Black, Portofino Grey, Hyper White, Calypso Pink, Oxford Blue and Hampton Grey.

Spacious, Stylish Inside

The inside’s clear traces are good-looking and refined, giving an upscale feel and appear. Our Grey-on-Grey seats and the Darkish Grey sprint coloration scheme had gentle contact supplies, with a few of the plastic surfaces having a pleasing grain really feel. The Restricted, which is the highest trim degree, comes normal with leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated entrance seats. The motive force’s seat has 8-way energy changes with lumbar and reminiscence, whereas the passenger will get 4-way energy changes.

The fastback roof design requires taller passengers to duck when getting into the again seat, however as soon as there, the seats are comfy with sculpted backs and ample head and leg room. The rear facet window privateness shades have been a pleasant contact. By inserting the batteries underneath the seat, the trunk room was massive with a low lift-over for straightforward loading. Oddly, the hands-free energy trunk lid didn’t have an inside deal with which meant, when closing it, your hand may get soiled touching the automotive’s exterior.

The low slung sprint has a ten.25-inch horizontal coloration touchscreen, housing the navigation, encompass view digicam and the Bose premium audio system with 12 audio system. This nice sounding system has SiriusXM, AM/FM/HD radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth, aux and USB ports full the audio system. The leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel has controls for audio, phone, and the adaptive cruise management. For ease-of-use, we’d have preferred to see a channel sector knob to accompany the quantity knob.

Different options are a 12.3-inch coloration LCD instrument cluster that features easy-to-read gauges with white backgrounds and black numbers, a proximity key with push button begin, twin automated temperature management, a coloration head-up show, heated and energy facet mirrors with flip alerts, rear vents and USB cost port, carpeted ground mats, adjustable entrance passenger seatbelts and wi-fi cellphone charging. The cabin was quiet with Hyundai including soundproof glass on the windshield and entrance door home windows, thicker carpet and sound absorption supplies all through the automotive.

Expertise options proceed with the Hyundai Blue Hyperlink app, which supplies entry to car programs, together with distant begin and the Digital Key. The Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror is an built-in transceiver (a transmitter and receiver) that may be programmed to activate radio frequency (RF) gadgets resembling storage doorways, property/neighborhood gates, entry door locks, residence/workplace lighting, safety programs or different RF gadgets. Ensure to check-out the 4 alternative ways to open the Good Trunk.

Security and Warranties

The Sonata Hybrid comes with an in depth record of normal security options. They embrace entrance, knee and facet air curtain airbags, lane preserving help, blind spot detection, ahead collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance help, hill begin help, round view monitor with parking sensors, rear parking collision avoidance, a tire stress monitoring system and digital stability management. One very cool characteristic is, when utilizing the suitable or left flip sign, a digicam comes on displaying the entrance and facet views of the Sonata, relying on which path is being turned.

The 2022 Sonata Hybrid earned a 5 Star, their highest security score, by the Nationwide Freeway and Security Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) awarded the Sonata Hybrid their High Security Decide.

The 2022 Sonata Hybrid comes with these warranties:

• Hybrid Techniques – 10 years/100,000 miles
• Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
• New Automobile – 5 years/60,000 miles
• Complimentary Upkeep – Three years/36,000 miles
• Roadside Help – 5 years/Limitless miles  
• Anti-perforation – Seven years/Limitless miles

Pricing

The 2022 Sonata Hybrid is available in three trim ranges, with these base costs that embrace the $1,045 freight prices.

• Blue – $28,395
• SEL – $31,145
• Restricted – $36,745

Clear Fleet Report’s Sonata Hybrid Restricted, with $195 in choices and the $1,045 freight and dealing with payment, had a last MSRP of $36,790.

Observations: 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Restricted

The 2022 Sonata Hybrid Restricted ranks extremely at Clear Fleet Report with its stellar gas economic system, modern design, elegant inside, well-earned security scores, lengthy record of normal options, the progressive photo voltaic roof, and naturally the wonderful guarantee. And all of this for a base value underneath $29,000.

Is the Sonata Hybrid engaging sufficient to sway you from a SUV or crossover? Go right into a Hyundai supplier for a prolonged check drive and see how this hybrid sedan matches your life-style. You simply could also be stunned.

Ensure to opt-in to the Clear Fleet Report publication (prime proper of web page) to be notified of all information tales and car evaluations.

Story by John Faulkner. Photographs by John Faulkner and Hyundai.

The Shrinking Midsize Competitors

Highway Take a look at: 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

Highway Take a look at: 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Highway Take a look at: 2022 Kia K5

Highway Take a look at: 2020 Subaru Legacy

First Drive: 2016 Nissan Altima

Highway Take a look at: 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Highway Take a look at: 2020 Volkswagen Passat

Highway Take a look at: 2020 Honda Perception

Disclosure:

Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check autos from automakers to guage, sometimes for every week at a time. Our street exams are based mostly on this one-week drive of a brand new car. Due to this we don’t handle points resembling long-term reliability or whole price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new autos or expertise. As a part of these occasions we could also be provided free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of autos and information irrespective of those inducements.

Our focus is on autos that supply one of the best gas economic system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We additionally characteristic these environment friendly gas-powered autos which are among the many prime mpg autos of their class. As well as, we purpose to supply evaluations and information on superior expertise and the choice gas car market. We welcome any suggestions from car house owners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for various viewpoints. Please tell us your views at writer@cleanfleetreport.com.