My review of the sonata hybrid.

[reddogva99]

I thought it would be nice for people to summarize how they felt about their car now that some time has passed. I traded a 2011 base for a 2012 for a number of reasons and am loving it. There were definitely some hiccups with all of the early recalls. You should expect some hiccups if you are an earlier adopter. Hyundai addressed everything and it seems like there are no more issues.

Styling: The car looks amazing. Some people don't like the front I but all of the extra features not found on a regular sonata. Panoramic roof is awesome. Trunk is large. Seats are comfortable.

MPG: This has been a sore point for some people. I seem to be getting the advertised mpg in my new 2012. Early on in the 2011 had some issues. I think the recalls helped. Before I traded in the 2011 had multiple tanks over 40mpg. First, the odometer is inaccurate as has been proven by many of us on the forum using mile posts, gps devices, google maps. I find you should be able to add at least 1mpg when you calculate. Secondly, I think you need to compare how your old car compared to actual mpg vs EPA estimates and not just look at EPA estimates on this car. I think most people will find that they were not getting EPA estimates in the old cars either. Also, letting the car break in is important.

Transmission: I am happy with the transmission in the car. It is not perfect but it is like a normal ICE. Other hybrids use the CVT and that helps with the shifting patters and seems to make the transition seamless but this car does not use the CVT. I personally hated the CVT. The occasional cold start stutter is OK with me. You have to keep in mind that it is a hybrid and that there will be trade offs. The car is fast when it needs to be which is more than you can say about prius or civic hybrid. I have not driven the camry or fusion.

Warranty: speaks for itself

Navigation and blue link: I've never liked navigation systems built into the cars. This is the first one I have personally owned and I don't really like it. I liked my garmin. It was just simple. Bluetooth functions well for calls and streaming audio. Blue link is not really that helpful. I can not really find POI's very easily and cannot get a live person on the phone. XM traffic and weather are cool but probably not worth the money. The ability to start your car ect. is not really that helpful for me.

Thats all I can think of for the moment. Anyone have anything else to add. Also, I wonder if we can remove the recall stickies as they aren't really applicable anymore.

[dun4cheap]

Originally Posted by reddogva99

MPG: This has been a sore point for some people. I seem to be getting the advertised mpg in my new 2012. Early on in the 2011 had some issues. I think the recalls helped. Before I traded in the 2011 had multiple tanks over 40mpg. First, the odometer is inaccurate as has been proven by many of us on the forum using mile posts, gps devices, google maps. I find you should be able to add at least 1mpg when you calculate. Secondly, I think you need to compare how your old car compared to actual mpg vs EPA estimates and not just look at EPA estimates on this car. I think most people will find that they were not getting EPA estimates in the old cars either. Also, letting the car break in is important.


Warranty: speaks for itself

i agree on both. i looked at the mpg on the stickers 35/40/37 and immediately figured reality for me was 30/35/33 and i have not been disappointed. i drove to vegas friday for my daughters suprise 21st bday and to see nickelback and spend fathers day with the familly.. i got 37 mpg coming up with the cc set at 75 and the ac on fulll speed. we are leaving tonight. I love it when a plans comes together.

its fun to drive again