2010 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2.4 Blue Drive 6AT (206 HP)

Vehicle Overview

When Hyundai introduced the sixth generation of the Sonata at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai also announced the hybrid version, which the automaker unveiled a year later at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

The battle in the mid-size segment had already shifted from sports-oriented vehicles to fuel-efficient ones, and Hyundai was ready to give a proper answer to its competitors. While it didn’t have the same experience in making hybrid vehicles such as Toyota or Honda, it proved that its R&D department burned the midnight oil to close the gap. As a result, the hybrid-powered Sonata came as a surprise for customers, who had access to the latest technologies onboard a family sedan that also looked good and had a proven reliability record. However, Hyundai didn’t just drop the new drivetrain under the Sonata’s skin and call it a day. It also adjusted the exterior and the interior of the vehicle to make it look slightly different than the rest of its gasoline-powered stablemates.

At the front, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid had a different look than its non-hybrid siblings. Instead of a large chromed grille at the upper side, it featured a taller bumper that integrated a hexagonal-shaped air intake, with opening louvers to improve cooling or aerodynamics, depending on the situation. But still, the automaker kept a chromed slat on the front side of the hood to enhance the vehicle’s look.

From its profile, there were some details that could unveil the vehicle’s electrified drivetrain version. Depending on the grade, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured 16- or 17-inch light alloy wheels with plastic caps that lowered drag. In addition, there was a big blue-drive badge on the front fenders. The sculptured door panels showed an ascending creased line that made the vehicle look sportier, even though Hyundai built it for fuel efficiency. At the back, the taillights also differed from those installed in the non-hybrid Sonata. They featured clear lenses and sported a rose-like pattern for the brake lights.

Since hybrid-powered vehicles weren’t cheap, Hyundai considered adding more cabin options to please buyers. As a result, customers were greeted by leather-wrapped interiors with bolstered areas. Fronting the driver was a binocular-styled instrument panel featuring round clusters for the speedometer and tachometer. Between them, the automaker installed a color display for the car’s onboard computer that showed a unique graphic for the Sonata Hybrid. On the center stack, the automaker placed the HVAC control unit and the stereo. At the back, the car offered enough room for three adults on the split-folding bench seat. However, the sloped-down greenhouse took its toll and limited headroom for those sitting in the back.

Under the hood, Hyundai installed its already-known Theta II 2.4-liter engine. Between it and the six-speed automatic transmission, the automaker placed an electric motor that allowed the vehicle to lower fuel consumption. Furthermore, when the battery pack was full, the car could run on electrons alone at speeds up to 100 kph (62 mph).