2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: A Stylish Contender in the Battle of Hybrid Sedans

Evaluation: The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid combines fuel efficiency with an elegant design

The 2024 edition of the Sonata Hybrid made its debut with a stylish upgrade, maintaining its impressive fuel-saving capabilities.

With Toyota transitioning its Camry lineup exclusively to hybrids, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid responds with a design reminiscent of electric vehicles, an efficient engine, and a price that emphasizes value. While the Sonata Hybrid excels in many areas, the Camry surpasses it in terms of overall smoothness and addresses a specific issue with packaging more effectively.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models, which are priced slightly above their previous versions, are currently available at dealerships. However, these models have not undergone any changes. Earlier this fall, the automaker provided me with a 2024 model for a week to evaluate how this hybrid sedan range stands in the market.

2024 Hybrid Model of Hyundai Sonata

Hybrid Version of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata Embraces Electric Vehicle Design Elements

Hyundai has redesigned the Sonata by incorporating stylistic features from its range of electric vehicles.

A row of LED lights runs across the front as a daytime running light, while the LED headlights have been repositioned lower on the bumper. At first, the headlights are concealed by an ample layer of black plastic that merges seamlessly with the sizable lower grille. At the back, the car features redesigned taillights covered with plastic that has a 3D design. A built-in lip spoiler on the trunk lid enhances the car’s aerodynamics and gives it a sportier appearance. The overall design is futuristic without reaching the extreme of a Cybertruck.

Hybrid Model of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata

Hybrid Version of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata

Within the interior, the revamped dashboard is inspired by the newly designed 2024 Santa Fe crossover SUV, and it does so impressively. The dashboard is positioned low and horizontally, enhancing forward visibility and creating a spacious, open atmosphere in the front. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen are integrated beneath a single piece of curved glass, strategically placed low in the dashboard to ensure the driver’s view remains unobstructed.

The touchscreen interface, reminiscent of an iPad, will be easily recognizable to those who have experienced a modern Hyundai vehicle, even their electric models. The system is simple enough for a child to use, unlike what you’d find in a Toyota Camry. It appears much more modern than the interface in the Honda Accord hybrid. Although the climate controls have shifted to a touch panel, Hyundai has wisely kept physical knobs for adjusting temperature and volume. Kudos to Hyundai for that decision.

Motorists will discover Hyundai’s new gear selector located behind the lower right area of the steering wheel. This mechanism operates through a twist and push action to modify gears, similar to the system used in the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 electric vehicles. This design choice also creates additional room on the center console.

Hybrid Version of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata

2024 Hybrid Version of the Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata doesn’t offer the smoothest ride

Unlike the Camry and Honda Accord hybrids, which provide an exceptionally smooth driving experience, the Sonata falls short in this regard.

The 2.0-liter inline-4 engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that includes an electric motor, powered by a 1.62-kWh battery. This setup delivers a total output of 192 horsepower. This is significantly lower than the Camry’s combined system output of 225 horsepower. Power is directed to the front wheels in the Hyundai, unlike the Camry, where all-wheel drive is available.

Transitions between the electric-only mode and the gasoline engine occasionally produce a noticeable jolt in the system. This occurs as it aligns motor assistance or regeneration with the transmission’s gear changes, occasionally leading to significant hesitation. The hybrid system lacks a torque converter for the transmission, necessitating intricate coordination between components. Interestingly, my children, who typically find fault with everything, did not seem to be bothered by these occasional jerky shifts.

The Sonata stands out for being significantly quieter compared to the Camry, both regarding engine noise and wind disturbances. This is largely due to the fact that the Hyundai has more sound insulation.

As with previous experiences, the ride remains smooth and well-managed, providing a sense of comfort. The steering offers a satisfying balance, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive assistance. However, be aware that you won’t feel much feedback from the road until the low rolling resistance tires begin to make noise on a cloverleaf ramp.

Hybrid Version of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata

The 2024 Sonata Hybrid Limited, which I tested, boasts an EPA-rated fuel efficiency of 44 miles per gallon in city driving, 51 on the highway, and 47 combined. This positions the Hyundai closely behind the Toyota Camry and just 1 mpg less than the Honda Accord.

Throughout a week of driving 246 miles in suburban areas, I observed a fuel efficiency averaging 40.6 miles per gallon. There was a moment when the Sonata hybrid reached an average of 44 miles per gallon, but this decreased as the fall temperatures fell to the low 40s Fahrenheit.

Hyundai has introduced several levels of regenerative braking in the updated Sonata Hybrid, controlled through paddle shifters on the steering wheel. This feature, typically associated with electric vehicles, is uncommon in hybrids. While it functions similarly to Hyundai’s electric vehicles, it doesn’t allow for one-pedal driving because even the third highest level of regenerative braking isn’t strong enough. Hyundai’s i-Pedal, known for enabling one-pedal driving with maximum regenerative braking, is not included in this model. The additional braking levels make it challenging to drive smoothly, as the regenerative effect only activates when the accelerator pedal is completely released, unlike in electric vehicles. This results in a binary, on-or-off experience, causing jerky driving motions.

2024 Hybrid Version of the Hyundai Sonata

Sonata makes concessions in its packaging

The front seats in the Sonata offer a high level of comfort and support for passengers, providing ample room in all directions. Space is abundant and not a concern.

The back seat offers less legroom compared to the Accord, yet it is comparable to the space in the Camry. The door openings are more spacious than those of the Camry, though not as expansive as the Accord’s. However, the main drawback lies in the limited headroom.

Hyundai has designed the sides of the headliner with indentations for the passengers on the outer seats, though the person in the middle seat doesn’t benefit from this feature. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, I found there was only about 1.5 inches of space above my head in the outer seats. However, the elevated middle seat left me bumping my head against the headliner.

Fortunately, the rear seat headrests are not built into the back of the seat, unlike the newest Accord model. This feature allows for adjustment, which will be appreciated by taller passengers sitting in the back.

With a capacity of 16.0 cubic feet, the trunk provides ample space for several carry-on suitcases, surpassing the Camry’s 15.1 cubic foot trunk. However, the Accord hybrid continues to lead with its 16.7 cubic feet of storage space.

2024 Hybrid Model of the Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2024

The Sonata Hybrid offers significant value, with a straightforward selection of models. The entry-level SEL Hybrid is priced at $31,950, which includes a $1,150 destination fee, and it doesn’t offer many options beyond different color choices. The Limited Hybrid version I drove was priced at $38,560 and included added features like leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, blind-spot detection, and a remote parking feature (as seen in the smart parking advertisement).

The Camry is generally priced around $1,000 less than the Sonata Hybrid; however, its base versions lack several features compared to the Sonata. These missing features include the absence of wireless smartphone charging, a smaller touchscreen, and cloth seating.

Hyundai’s Sonata comes without the usual option packages and upsells, which is somewhat refreshing. The entry-level model doesn’t have the typical feel of a basic car, offering a great deal of features for its price.

While the Sonata’s engine performance might need some refinement, there’s no denying that this midsize family sedan offers more style and features for its price compared to any rival, all while maintaining fuel efficiency.

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