Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Following with the success of the Hyundai Avante LPi Hybrid (launched in July 2009), the first LPG-powered hybrid car in the Korean market, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the true gasoline-electric hybrid medium sedan known that will revolutionize the "New Thinking, New Possibilities" concept by any means of ecology, the all-new Sonata Hybrid.

First debuted at the 2010 New York Auto Show and sales in South Korea starts now, this May 2011, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the brand's second hybrid car and the first premium hybrid medium-sized sedan based on the YF Sonata, which was launched in September 2009.

In terms of design, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid became even more aggressive because of its front side that ditches the traditional YF Sonata grille, in favor of its highly aggressive front fascia. The rear lamps were modified to make it even more elegant at nighttime. In the side view, customers may notice the Blue Drive badge as seen on the Avante LPi Hybrid.

For those who don't know what is Blue Drive, this is Hyundai's eco-brand that sustain cars emitting zero emissions, and brings out the harmony among cars, people, and the environment. Blue means blue plant and sustainable life and Drive means mobility and impulse according to Hyundai Motor Group.

The new Sonata Hybrid is powered with the all-new Nu 2.0 MPI engine that delivers 150 PS of power output but thanks to the 30kW motor attached, the power output of the Sonata Hybrid leveled up into 191 PS. As a hybrid sedan, the Sonata Hybrid is packed with the Lithium-ion Polymer battery that can be used at 20kph speeds. For a true eco car, it has a CO2 emission of 111g/km and it has a fuel economy of 21km/L.

Another thing about the Sonata Hybrid is its 4.2-inch full color TFT LCD at the instrumental cluster, which shows the eco level and eco point, depending on your driving style. You can even expect seeing cool animation on this LCD that shows how fuel efficient is your Sonata Hybrid is. When you're not in a hurry, you can use the EV mode that allows the Lithium-ion Polymer battery to be used in place in gasoline engine.

There is also a catch; when you are going uphill, both the Nu 2.0 MPI engine and the Lithium-ion battery are active, generating more uphill power on the go but when going downhill, only the Lithium-ion battery becomes active, saving some gasoline while descending downhill. This is a very crucial tactic for the Sonata Hybrid.

The 6-speed automatic transmission is a highly exclusivity standard transmission offered on the Sonata Hybrid.

The Sonata Hybrid comes with six available colors such as Hybrid Blue, White Crystal, Sleek Silver, Hyper Metallic, Dark Grey, and Black Diamond. It comes with two available trim variants such as Premier and Royal.

My Comment:

It's about time that South Koreans finally get the Sonata Hybrid after months of waiting since its debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show. I just hope that Hyundai Asia Resources will get the environmentally-friendly Sonata Hybrid to the Philippines soon. Maybe we, Filipinos, haven't got the chance to try Korean-made hybrid cars. We got succumbed by hybrid cars sold in the Philippines such as the third-generation Toyota Prius, Lexus LS 600hL, Lexus RX 450h, Lexus CT 200h, and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid. If those Filipinos can't wait to get their hands on the Sonata Hybrid, why not request to Hancars? Because Hancars is a highly respected gray market dealer of all things Korean such as the Hyundai Grand Starex, I'm sure that Hancars are willing to offer the Sonata Hybrid first before HARI officially brings the Sonata Hybrid to the Philippines soon.

Forget about what I said, anyway, the Sonata Hybrid is Hyundai's full fledged gasoline-electric hybrid medium sedan that shares the success from the Hyundai Avante LPI Hybrid, the first LPG-powered hybrid vehicle launched since the summer of 2009. Looks like the Koreans are ready in the age of eco-cars but can the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid stacks up against its balanced rival, the Kia K5 Hybrid?

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company