Featured Review: 2016 Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid makes electric wheels seem familiar

I didn't see anything in the article about actual cubic feet - front back & trunk. Dang.
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44 large? how are they selling?

 

That's in Canadian dollers, which are printed on maple leafs. The US gets two PHEV trims that start at $34.6k and $38.6k.

2016 Sonata Hybrid - Specs & Trim | Hyundai
The hybrids don't lose any cabin space from the ICE model.
The hybrid loses 3 cu.ft. from the 16.3 cu.ft of the sedan, while the PHEV is down to 9.9 cu. ft.
The hybrid has a flat trunk floor with 60/40 fold seats, but only on the Limited. No mention of a pass thru for the others on their site, nor any of a spare or flat repair kit. I'm pretty sure no spare.

The only photo of the PHEV trunk I found.

 

good find - hmmm, not too small - but not too spacious either.
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GM lists the Volt's cargo space as 10.6 cu.ft. on the Chevy site vs. the 19 cu.ft. for the EPA size class.

 

So which is it then, for the volt. 10 or 19?

 

Both. For EPA, the measurement is likely to the roof, and Chevy's value is likely up to the top of the rear seats.

 

Or balloons:


Bob Wilson

 

Hyundai = crap.
Not made to last any longer than the warranty.

 

The 2016 Hyundai plug-in Hybrid Sonata is a shockingly nice car. There is nothing "crap" about it.
A 27 mile range PHEV. The interior is comfortable, whisper quiet, smooth riding and spacious for 5 passenger!, very stylish and high quality - if not luxurious.
The exterior styling speaks for itself. Consider the high-tech options that are standard - HID headlamps, Navigation, Infinity audio, blind spot monitors, radar cruise, lane keep warning, front/rear/cross collision warining, heated/pwr everything, and this car becomes even more compelling.
Now consider they aren't selling well, and dealers are letting them go for $1000 below invoice, plus Hyundai is throwing in at least $4500 in incentives, and Uncle Sam is offering a $4900 tax credit......Were talking $12,000 off the sticker price. Top of the line Limited for $28,000.
That is near impossible to pass up. It might be my next PHEV.


I went to the autoshow to see the Chevy Volt , and walked away dissappointed at its cramped size and looks.
I stumbled upon the Hyundai PHEV and couldn't walk away.

 

You might want to consider updating your posting since www.fueleconomy.gov shows the "Limited" to be a 25 MPG, ordinary gas car. There is no $4,500 Federal Tax Credit for a gas car.

Suggestions are to list the MSRP price for the car followed by listing the various 'savings' and whether or not they have any credibility. Citing sources for different savings is always a good idea.

Bob Wilson

 

No kidding. But 5 seats? That's crazy .... what's up with that ... I thought all the surveys show we only want 4.

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My confusion is trying to find a source and understand the claims: Compare Side-by-Side

• MSRP: $34.6k - $38.6k
• $4.5k Federal Credit (next year) -> $28.1k - $34.1k
  • requires Federal Income tax > $4.5k, adjust W-9 for one year
• $1k from dealer? - source?
• $4.5k from Hyundai? - source?

I have a lot of confidence with Edmunds pricing that is not unreasonably low:

The Edmunds "Incentives & Rebates" link is a little suspicious as it seems targeted at a specific configuration. I would count on the "$33.459" and take away the "$4,500" Federal Tax Credit bringing it down to "$28,961" if I did my sums right. So I'm having a hard time seeing "$28,000".

Understand I'm perfectly happy when someone cites sources, the backup material and a text summary. Not trying to be mean as much as understand where they are getting their numbers. Since I am interested in a used, BMW i3-Rex and have loan approval, I pay attention BUT never forgetting my requirements versus the credible, published vehicle specifications:

• Sonata Plug-In vs i3-Rex analysis
• Weak - 202 kW (50 kW) motor vs. 225 kW motor
• Low EV range - 27 miles vs 72 per EPA metrics
• Drive wheels - front vs rear
• Inefficient - 99 MPGe vs 117 MPGe
• Big - 110" vs 100"

It no more meets my requirements than a PiP Plug-In but something else came up: Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid | PluginCars.com

"Est. tax credit: $2500"​

OWCH!!!! If @9G-man is expecting $4,500 and it is only $2,500, it would be a big disappointment. Worse, he'd only find out when filing taxes in 2017. Since the car does not meet my technical requirements, I won't be checking the tax savings but I well remember the bitter posts when the Prius tax credits turned out to be 'something else.'

I don't mind rosy postings about a serious hybrid but not smokey postings. <GRINS>

HEY, where is the wonderful and perfect Hyundai IONIQ that does everything except show up at USA dealers? Of course the Sonata Plug-In is more real today to a buyer than the Prime.

My thinking is around October/November all three plug-ins will be actually in or approaching dealers with metrics available from the EPA "Test Car Database." Then I can put together a table and graphs comparing performance. Heck, I might even have an i3-Rex. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

 

Most likely a mistake on that site. As you well know, the credit is based on battery sized. My Energi's 7.6kWh battery credit was $4007. (yes the '7" isn't a typo) The larger Sonata will be more; from their web page FAQ: "Sonata Plug-in Hybrid buyers will be eligible for a federal tax credit up to $4,919" Introducing the 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid | Hyundai

 

a great deal on a car no one else wants. impossible to pass up.

 

Actually I don't follow the tax credits having only bought one 2010 Prius new well after their credits ended. When I was shopping for a Prius and Toyota still had tax credits, the local dealer inflated the asking price by the tax credit amount. So I prefer the used car discount.

Hyundai Sonata hybrid has done well as competition for the Camry buyer. Just it in the plugin version holds no temptation for me.

Bob Wilson

ps. Perhaps someone might let the $2,500 site know about the problem?