Will there be a 2023 Sonata Hybrid?

A Budget-Friendly Luxury Car. Most of the 2023 Hyundai Sonata’s trims don’t try to hide the midsize car’s luxury intentions. Unlike a lot of Sonata’s competitors, the majority of available trims focus on being comfortable and relaxed on road. Additionally, passengers get cushy seats with a competitive amount of interior space.

The Sonata also stands out with its upscale design. For a midsize sedan, the Sonata has gorgeous lines that make it look like something that comes from a small British automaker. Sonata’s design stunned the world when it was introduced in 2020 and it still manages to do the same thing for 2023.

The wide-open grille may not be for everyone, but the way the daytime running lights follow the curvature of the hood can bring a tear to an artist’s eye. The sloping rear roofline, rear lighting that flows with the rear bumper, and prominent body lines that go from end to end are stunning. The Sonata is the kind of car you’ll look back at after you park it.

Well-Equipped Trims. Few midsize sedans in the segment have the same equipment as the Sonata. Every trim comes with an extensive 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and three years of complimentary service. Hyundai also backs the Sonata with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Good luck finding this kind of warranty coverage or complimentary service with one of Sonata’s competitors.

Even the base Sonata comes with a long list of features that includes an 8-inch touchscreen, six audio speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Reach deeper into your bank accounts and the Sonata impresses with some incredibly high-tech features. Things like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Hyundai’s Digital Key, a Bose audio system, a wireless charging pad, and a Blue Link telematics systems are available.

The best choice for your money is the SEL trim that comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a hands-free trunk opener, and acoustic front windows. The available Convenience Package adds the larger screens and more tech features to be a worthwhile upgrade.

Lackluster To Powerful And Efficient. If you include the Sonata Hybrid, consumers have four different engines to choose from. It’s a wide range of engines that go from basic to powerful with a few efficient options in between.

The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the available turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine are both underpowered. The base engine is rated at 191 horsepower, while the turbo engine produces 180 hp. We’re not quite sure why Hyundai offers the Sonata with two engines that make a similar amount of power, but neither provides the sedan with good performance.

The real star of the lineup is the available turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 290 hp. Unfortunately, the engine is only offered in the sporty N Line trim. With this engine, the Sonata feels gutsy and has brisk acceleration. It’s sad to see that Hyundai locks the engine away for the N Line trim.

Most drivers will be better off with the Sonata Hybrid, which comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. Combined output is rated at 192 hp, though the hybrid feels peppier than the figure lets on. The major upside with the Sonata Hybrid is that it can get up to 52 mpg combined, which is a huge upgrade over the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s rated at 32 mpg combined.

Could Have More Interior Space. By most metrics, the Sonata has a competitive amount of space for the midsize segment. Families will find the Sonata to offer plenty of space for daily use. Families with taller kids or shoppers that have plans to constantly ferry taller adults in the back may hear some complaints.

The Sonata offers up to 34.8 inches of rear legroom, which isn’t a small amount, but it does trail segment leaders. Rear passengers also get 37.4 inches of rear headroom, which doesn’t lead the class. The good news is that the Sonata offers up to 16 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk.

Final Thoughts. The 2023 Hyundai Sonata gets a lot of things right. It’s gorgeous, has high-tech features, and feels like a premium vehicle. The major issue with the Sonata is with its available engines. While the turbocharged engine in the N-Line and the efficient hybrid are great options, the other two engines are duds.

As far as competition goes, the Honda Accord is enjoyable to drive, has a roomy interior, and is also available as an efficient hybrid. The Toyota Camry is one of the few sedans in the class to be available with a V6 engine. It’s also offered with all-wheel drive, an efficient hybrid, and loads of safety features.

Check prices for the 2023 Hyundai Sonata »

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