2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Pricing Announced

[msirach]

Segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating

Mike Sirach - CleanMPG - December 16, 2010

Hyundai has announced pricing for the 2011 Sonata Hybrid with simplified approach to product packaging, the Sonata Hybrid comes in just two styles from the factory – the very well-equipped Sonata Hybrid at $25,795, and the incredibly well-equipped, tech-feature-packed Premium version at $30,795 ($750 freight charge not included.)

Both deliver a segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, higher than any other mid-size sedan, hybrid or non-hybrid. In city driving, Sonata Hybrid delivers 35 mpg, yielding a 37 mpg combined city/highway rating from the EPA. Sonata Hybrid is a key part of Hyundai’s industry-leading Blue Drive fuel efficiency strategy, which targets 50-mpg by 2025.

Sonata Hybrid is the third element of the game-changing 2011 Sonata product lineup. The Sonata Hybrid offers a segment-leading 40-mpg highway rating, which fits the driving pattern of most Americans, who drive about 57 percent of their miles in highway driving conditions.
Sonata Hybrid is powered by Hyundai’s all-new Hybrid Blue Drive system, featuring breakthrough lithium-polymer batteries and goes on sale in January.

“Sonata Hybrid offers something new to the mid-size sedan segment, with its segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, differentiated appearance, and incredible value,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. “Like the 2.4L direct-injected Sonata and the 2.0L Sonata Turbo launched earlier this year, Sonata Hybrid demonstrates Hyundai’s unique approach melting innovative technologies and emotional design into products that "people want to put in their driveways.”

The heart of Sonata Hybrid’s breakthrough Hybrid Blue Drive technology is its remarkable lithium polymer battery pack. Hyundai is the first automaker in the world to incorporate this remarkably efficient battery technology into a hybrid vehicle.



Beyond the innovative powertrain, Hyundai's engineering team have addressed all aspects of vehicle efficiency including the most visually obvious one, aerodynamics. The Sonata hybrid shares the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design language with all other 2011 Sonatas but features a unique exterior that sets it apart from its siblings. The combination of re-shaped front and rear fascias with a deeper air dam, extended rocker panels and lower drag wheels allow the air to flow around the body with less resistance. The drag coefficient for the Sonata Hybrid is the one of the lowest in the industry at just 0.25, which is more slippery than most sports cars including the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (0.34) and the 2011 Nissan GT-R (0.27).

The ability to easily slip through the air combined with low rolling resistance tires, along with the sophisticated Hybrid Blue Drive powertrain with engine decoupling, significantly reduces the amount of energy required to maintain highway speeds, resulting in the remarkable highway fuel efficiency of the Sonata Hybrid.

CleanMPG's Wayne Gerdes Previews the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and relays his thoughts and results of his drive.

SONATA HYBRID KEY FEATURES

• 2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder hybrid engine
• Hybrid starter-generator (HSG)
• Permanent magnet high-power density motor
• 270V lithium polymer battery
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• Electronic stability control with traction control system
• ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
• Front active head restraints
• Front, front seat side and curtain airbags
• 16-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels
• Headlight LED accents
• LED taillights
• Front fog lights
• Side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators
• Unique, tinted chrome front grille
• Bodyside molding tinted chrome inserts
• Chrome window belt-line moldings
• Chrome exterior door handles
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• Remote keyless entry, alarm and immobilizer
• Electroluminescent instrument cluster (Supervision)
• 4.2-inch TFT multi-function trip computer with hybrid technology display
• Dual automatic temperature control
• Floor console mounted rear vents
• Power driver seat with lumbar support
• Chrome interior door handles
• Leatherette interior door panel inserts
• Tilt & telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
• Metalgrain interior accents
• AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB & Aux input jacks
• Power windows, locks, heated mirrors
• Integrated Bluetooth with phonebook transfer
• Automatic light control
• Solar control glass

SONATA HYBRID PREMIUM PACKAGE ADDS THESE FEATURES

• Panoramic sunroof with tilt & slide
• 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels with unique finish
• Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
• Rear backup camera
• Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier (400-watt)
• HD Radio Technology with multicasting
• Leather seating surfaces with heated front seats and rear seat bottom cushions
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob
• Auto-dimming mirror / HomeLink / compass
• Premium door sill plates
• Glossy black door surround and outside mirror housing

[WriConsult]

Nice pricing. The Fusion hybrid really put a dent in TCH sales. Now the HSH will finish it off.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

The "basic" version is comparable to the Prius 4 and priced below it.

Still, even this "basic" car has unnecessary hybrid premium bling.

[PaleMelanesian]

Oooh, that's very nice!

[killer6795]

I like this car a lot, I like the pricing too. But for the money, give me 40mpg and let me pay 10k less - make mine an Elantra.

[ALS]

I wonder if you can upgrade to the better premium package stereo in the base version?

[herm]

how much is the hybrid premium over the regular sonata?, with comparable options.

[MaxxMPG]

Originally Posted by herm

how much is the hybrid premium over the regular sonata?, with comparable options.

The Sonata Limited with the navigation radio is 28500 incl destination, so the hybrid Premium-package version is $3000 more. The base hybrid at around 26750 costs about 3000 more than a GLS with PEP, but it has the pushbutton start, auto temp control, LED directionals on the mirrors, and several other features usually found only on the Limited. And the Limited 2.4L lists for about the same price, although it includes the moonroof and heated leather seating. So the hybrid premium amounts to the value of those "Limited only" features not included in the hybrid that's listing for about the same price.

[herm]

Thanks.. if you compare similarly optioned Toyota Matrix and Prius you end up with a hybrid premium of about $1400, and that is very nice. Obviously Toyota has wrung out excess costs and they make a lot of Priuses.

http://www.truedelta.com/ has good price comparison tools.

[WriConsult]

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

The "basic" version is comparable to the Prius 4 and priced below it.

Comparable in equipment level maybe ... but still nowhere near the mileage or utility of the Prius.