Hyundai Updates Sonata Hybrid, PHEV Sedans
Hyundai's Sonata hybrid sedans will receive an exterior redesign, new infotainment features, optional safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist, as well as updates steering and suspension to improve the ride and handling, Hyundai announced at the Chicago Auto Show.

Photo of 2018 Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid courtesy of Hyundai.

Photo of 2018 Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid courtesy of Hyundai.
Hyundai's Sonata hybrid sedans will receive an exterior redesign, new infotainment features, optional safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist, as well as updates steering and suspension to improve the ride and handling, Hyundai announced at the Chicago Auto Show.
Many of the updates follow from Hyundai's 2018 Sonata, which debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April.
Hyundai began selling its Sonata Hybrid with the 2011 model year, and introduced the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid for 2015. The plug-in sedan is available only in California and nine other states with zero-emission mandates.
The Sonata Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that houses a 38-kilowatt electric motor and clutch. The transmission uses an electric oil pump that improves fuel efficiency. The vehicle can operate only on electric power up to 75 mph by decoupling the gasoline engine from the powertrain, which is rated to produce 193 horsepower.
The Sonata Hybrid SE should deliver 39 mph in city driving, 45 mpg on the highway, and 42 mpg combined. Total range is estimated at 650 miles, according to Hyundai.
The Sonata PHEV's powertrain is similar, but offers extended all-electric range for up to 27 miles. It can recharge in less than three hours with a level-two charger. It includes a 9.8 kilowatt-per-hour lithium-ion battery pack and 50 kW electric motor. The system makes 202 hp.
New standard safety features include blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.
The available navigation system has been updated to include a bird's eye map view and HERE HD Traffic, a real-time traffic service that's offered as a non-paid subscription. Qi wireless phone charging is available on models with navigation.
As part of the redesign, the sedans will include a new instrument panel center stack and steering wheel.
The gasoline-electric hybrid will be available by April 1, while the plug-in hybrid will arrive by July 1. The vehicles will be built in Asan, Korea.
More Operations
The Top 300 Commercial Fleets
The Top 300 Commercial Fleets: See the List
Read More →
Your Local Dealer Knows More Than You Think
Your local dealer can provide an information advantage that extends well beyond courtesy deliveries.
Read More →
Fleet Meets: Austin Schutte
Here are some industry insights, personal touches, and words of advice from the CEO and Founder of Anew Solutions.
Read More →Soap Box Derby Challenge: What’s Powering Team Brown
The car is coming together, the students are solving real build problems, and the fleet industry is helping push Team Brown toward the starting line.
Read More →
Commercial Fleet Sales Contribute To June, YTD Gains
The fleet sector has boosted its vehicle purchases at a reliable pace in the first half of this year compared with 1H 2025.
Read More →What Fleet Managers Really Want From Vendors
From customer service frustrations and technology breakdowns to RFQs, change management, and the growing impact of turnover across the industry, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real operational challenges fleet managers are navigating every day.
Read More →Fleet Safety Masterclass: Industry Leaders on Storytelling, Strategy & Innovation
In this special masterclass episode, industry leaders break down what it really takes to build safer fleets in today’s increasingly distracted and data-driven world.
Read More →Integrating Legacy Fleet Systems and Historical Data
In this episode, we bring together fleet and technology leaders to unpack the realities of data integration, system migrations, and the evolving role of AI in fleet management.
Read More →From Resistance to Results: Change Management Strategies for Fleets
From new technologies and safety programs to evolving regulations, fleets are under constant pressure to adapt. But as Dr. Betz explains, success isn’t about the system you implement—it’s about whether your people actually use it.
Read More →


