Better Late Than Never: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Adds A Hybrid

When the dust settles at the 2010 New York Auto Show, it may be the Hyundai Sonata that will have stolen the show. The 2010 Hyundai Sonata is an all-new model that is already meeting huge demand in showrooms across the country. Now for 2011, the stylish Sonata adds more mpg as it becomes Hyundai’s first hybrid offering.

Powering the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the Hybrid Blue Drive, a hybrid system developed exclusively by the Korean automaker. This system can operate on electric power, or by the gasoline internal combustion engine, or via a combination of the two depending on how the driver is operating the vehicle.

“The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the new kid on the block, but it’s not a follower,” says John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Its full parallel hybrid configuration and breakthrough lithium polymer batteries offer a new take on traditional hybrid design, while its unique design sets it apart from the mid-size hybrid pack.”

Although Hyundai is late to the hybrid game, dealers such as Philadelphia Hyundai are excited by the Sonata Hybrid’s arrival as it may prove to be worth the wait. It’s powered by a 2.4-liter Theta II engine that produces 169-hp at and 156 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an electric motor that adds another 40 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. This drivetrain, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, yields 37 mpg in city driving and 39 mpg on the highway. The Sonata will also be able to operate entirely on electric power, but only up to speed of 62 miles per hour.

With demand for MPG at an all-time high, saying this hybrid is “better late than never” is truly an understatement. Washington DC Hyundai dealers say that the brand has always been known as offering fuel-efficient, economical cars. But the new Sonata Hybrid delivers those qualities in a stylish and luxurious package.

Expect to see the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid later this year. With the brisk pace of Sonata sales among VW Hyundai showrooms, also expect the hybrid model find equal demand.