Hyundai Sonata (LF) Plug-In Hybrid

With the LF Sonata range consists of petrol, diesel, and hybrid, the unexpected range for South Korea's longest-running midsize saloon in history gets a little boost with the addition of the first ever PHEV sold in South Korea, the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid.

2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

As the first-ever Korean-made plug-in hybrid saloon, the new Sonata Plug-In Hybrid offers the best of both worlds apart from running in either petrol, electric, or both because for this PHEV saloon, drivers will be able to fill it up with either petrol or charge its batteries at home by whatever means necessary. 

With the 9.8 kWh lithium polymer battery pack, which is five times more than what the regular Sonata Hybrid's battery had, the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is expected to have an all-electric range of over 44km, which is a class-leading record for PHEV saloons on the market, according to Hyundai. In terms of recharging, it will take two and a half hours to have it fully charged at a 240V Level 2 charging station while at home, with the 120V outlet at hand, it will take five hours to have it fully charged.

Like the Sonata Hybrid, it comes with the 2.0L Nu GDi petrol engine that produces 156PS of power output but for the PHEV model, the electric motor that joins together with the engine produces 50kW of power, 32% more than the motor used in the regular Sonata Hybrid. Have them together as well as the 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid delivers a combined 17.2km/L of fuel consumption, which is kinda less than what the regular Hybrid had but because this is a PHEV saloon, its fuel consumption well served.

Optional safety features are offered in the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid including the Forward Collision Warning System, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection, and not to mention the Advanced Smart Parking Assist System where you can let the parking all by itself when it spots a vacant parking space.

The new Sonata Plug-In Hybrid starts at 40,620,000 to 43,220,000 Korean Won, which costs a lot more than the regular Sonata Hybrid, but because being the first PHEV offered in South Korea, looks like it's going to be treated as a niche vehicle with no competition in sight but as the right opportunity comes in the Korean motoring industry, there will be rivals ready to take on the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, wanting a piece of it.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company