Used 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

The midsize-sedan market is more competitive than ever, with mainstays such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord continuing to top the sales charts. The 2019 Hyundai Sonata, always a lot of car for the money, fights for its slice of the shrinking market fortified by significant product and value improvements introduced on the new “+” models that arrived midway through the 2018 model year. For 2019, the “+” moniker has been dropped, but the feature enhancements and technology packages remain. As before, Hyundai’s midsize sedan continues with naturally aspirated, turbocharged, hybrid or plug-in drivetrains.

Last year, Hyundai updated the Sonata’s suspension to improve handling and reduce body roll. While the ride is firmer and better controlled, it’s not at the expense of comfort. The standard 2.4-liter engine satisfies most drivers with ample acceleration, passing power and fuel economy. The 6-speed automatic transmission may lack a few ratios compared to newer competitors, but it does a fine job of managing the power with smooth shifts. If you want a more sporting attitude, consider the 2.0-liter turbo engine in the Limited 2.0T. With 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, this engine endows the 2019 Hyundai Sonata with quick acceleration while making light work of long mountain grades. It’s mated to a different transmission, an 8-speed automatic that’s both smooth and responsive. Moreover, the 2.0T’s rack-mounted electric-assist power steering has a natural feel.

The Sonata’s interior, redesigned for 2018, carries over unchanged with intuitive controls and a raised touch screen that makes all controls easier to reach. Buttons and knobs are well organized in wide horizontal rows, with navigation and audio controls just below the screen and the climate controls falling neatly below. The handsome 3-spoke steering wheel gives the interior of the 2019 Sonata a premium look. Sport models go a step further with a flat-bottom steering wheel and cloth seats that have leather bolsters and contrast stitching.

A prominent grille, sharper lines and LED running lights dominate the exterior of the 2019 Hyundai Sonata. Sport models receive a unique grille and front fascia, plus dual-exhaust tips. A panoramic sunroof is standard on the Sonata Limited; all other Sonatas are available with a conventional tilt-and-slide sunroof. A neat detail: The trunk release is now hidden in the Hyundai logo. Push the area below the ring (above the "H") to open the trunk. Once the lid opens, you have access to the largest trunk in the Sonata’s class.

CONNECTED CABIN
With standard features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch touch screen and Bluetooth — plus options such as wireless smartphone charging, navigation, satellite radio, Blue Link telecommunications and a rear USB port — the 2019 Sonata keeps your whole crew charged, connected and caught up on social media.

TECH PACKAGE
On the Sonata Limited model, Hyundai’s Tech Package includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, smart cruise control (with start/stop), an electronic parking brake, a wireless phone charger, automatic high-beam assist, a mesh grille and a heated steering wheel.

The SE, the most affordable Sonata, has cloth seats, a folding rear seat, a 7-inch touch screen, a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity, a rearview camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Sonata SEL and Sport models add a mesh grille, dual-zone climate control, a wireless phone charger and a heated steering wheel. If you order a 2019 Sonata Limited, it has all the above plus automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and smart cruise. In addition to seven standard airbags, all 2019 Sonatas boast air conditioning, power windows, heated side mirrors, blind-spot detection (with rear cross-traffic alert) and a tilt/telescope steering wheel.

Available features on the 2019 Hyundai Sonata include automatic high-beam headlights, 10-speaker Infinity audio, navigation, power heated/ventilated leather front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Blue Link Connected Car. LED headlights and taillights, 17- or 18-inch wheels and a hands-free smart trunk are available, as are smart cruise control, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors and lane-keep assist. The Ultimate Package on the Sonata Limited includes a panoramic sunroof, rear sunshades, an 8-inch navigation screen, real-time traffic and a 3-year complimentary trial with Hyundai’s Blue Link Guidance Package.

There are five drivetrain choices for the 2019 Hyundai Sonata, each with four cylinders. The standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 gets the job done while returning good highway fuel economy. For a more spirited drive, choose the 245-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, an engine now backed by a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata Eco’s 1.6-liter turbo-4 puts out less horsepower (178) but more torque (195 lb-ft) than the standard 2.4, and is available only with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. EPA highway fuel economy for this 1.6-liter Eco model is an impressive 37 mpg. The Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Plug-in Hybrid remain available, each powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline engine augmented by a battery-powered electric motor. The plug-in model’s larger battery pack allows up to 27 miles of electric-only range. Of note, both are unique among hybrid sedans because they use a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable transmissions (CVT) found in rivals.

2.4-liter inline-4 (SE, SEL, Sport and Limited)
185 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
178 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 mpg (SE), 25/33 mpg (SEL, Sport, Limited)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Sport 2.0T, Limited 2.0T)
245 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Eco)
178 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/37 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 + Permanent magnet high-power density motor (Sonata Hybrid)
193 horsepower (combined, Hybrid)
202 horsepower (combined, Plug-in Hybrid)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 40/46 mpg (Sonata Hybrid SE), 39/44 mpg (Sonata Hybrid Limited), 39 mpg/combined (Plug-in Hybrid)