Used 2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

As SUV sales dominate, the midsize sedan market has become more competitive than ever. Fighting for every scrap of midsize sedan sales, mainstays like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to top the sales charts, but rivals like the Hyundai Sonata are ambitious climbers. The Sonata also faces strong contenders like the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, and Kia Optima. The Sonata already stood out for tremendous value for the money, a choice of naturally aspirated, turbocharged, hybrid and plug-in drivetrains; the latest in high-tech, and a comfortable and quiet driving environment. Refreshed this year, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata receives a significant update that adds more muscular styling, a redesigned interior, and a new transmission for the turbocharged engine.

Already lauded for its comfort, Hyundai updated the Sonata’s suspension to improve handling and reduce body roll. While the ride is firmer, comfort wasn’t sacrificed in the process. The standard 2.4-liter has enough power to satisfy most drivers, with ample acceleration and passing power, and decent fuel economy. This transmission works harder on grades, but it shifts smoothly and does a fine job managing the power. If you want more sporting attitude, consider the optional 2.0-liter turbo engine. It offers 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque — the same as last year — but is now backed by a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It offers quick acceleration from a stop and plenty of easy-to-access torque. The 8-speed is responsive, yet the shifts are smooth and subtle. With the 2.0-liter engine, the Sonata receives a different version of electric power steering, which has a natural feel.

The 2018 Sonata’s redesigned interior looks sharper, and as an added benefit: The controls are even more intuitive. The screen sits higher, allowing all the controls to sit higher, making them easier to reach. Buttons and knobs are well organized in wider horizontal rows, with navigation and audio controls just below the screen and the climate controls falling neatly below. The new 3-spoke steering wheel has a more upscale design, and the overall look and feel of the interior is more premium than before. Sport models have a flat-bottomed steering wheel and cloth seats with leather bolsters and contrast stitching.

No longer lost in the shuffle, the Sonata’s new sense of style is dominated in front by Hyundai’s cascading grille, sharper lines and LED running lights. Sport models receive a unique grille and front fascia, plus dual exhaust tips. In all models, the panoramic sunroof option is gone, replaced by an available conventional tilt-and-slide unit. Also, 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
Between standard features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch touch screen and Bluetooth, and options such as wireless smartphone charging, navigation, satellite radio, Blue Link telecommunications, and a rear USB port, your crew will always be charged, connected and caught up on social media.

DRIVE MODES
All Sonatas come standard with drive modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport. Eco improves fuel economy by changing the transmission and throttle programming. Sport mode affects transmission, throttle and steering response. The 2.0T adds a Smart driving mode. This alternates between the other three modes, responding to the driver’s input.

Hyundai reorganized its trim-level lineup: It dropped the base model, making the SE the most affordable Sonata. It comes nicely equipped with plenty of tech, including a 7-inch touch screen display, 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity, a rearview camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Sonata also has air conditioning, power windows and locks, heated side mirrors, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist, cloth seats, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and a 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback. There are seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, plus standard stability control and electronic brake assist.

From SE, you can move up to SEL, Sport and Limited. Available features include automatic high beams, 10-speaker Infinity audio, navigation, power heated/ventilated leather front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Blue Link Connected Car. Those in the back seat can enjoy a USB port, center-console-mounted vents and rear side window shades. LED headlights and taillights, 17- or 18-inch wheels and a hands-free smart trunk are available, while safety adds include smart cruise control, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, and lane-keep assist. You can also get the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic.

There are five drivetrain choices for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, all of them with four cylinders. The standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 is more than adequate. For a more spirited drive, you can choose the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and its 245 horsepower, an engine that is now backed by a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata Eco’s 1.6-liter turbo 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. The two hybrid models — regular and plug-in each pairs a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor. The plug-in model has a larger battery pack that allows up to 27 miles of electric-only range. Both are unique among hybrid sedans in that they use a 6-speed automatic transmission vs. the continuously variable transmission (CVT) setups 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: 25/36 mpg (SE), 25/35 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-cylinder + 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)