Hyundai Improves Battery, Fuel Economy for 2013-MY Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai announced MSRP and other details for its 2013-MY Sonata Hybrid, which features a larger but lighter lithium polymer battery pack, improved hybrid architecture, and better fuel efficiency. The vehicle comes in two trim levels, the Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Hybrid Limited, and features a 2.4L four-cylinder engine along with a larger 10.4 kW Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) and more powerful 47 kW Lithium Polymer battery pack as part of Hyundai’s Hybrid Blue Drive architecture.

For the electric drive components, Hyundai improved the HSG’s output from 8.5 kW to 10.5 kW. The automaker also improved the electric motor output from 30 kW to 35 kW, and output from the lithium polymer battery pack from 34 kW to 47 kW. For the engine, Hyundai said it changed the 2.4L four-cylinder so it runs on a more efficient Atkinson Cycle, helping to boost fuel economy. The transmission is a six-speed automatic.

Estimated fuel economy for the vehicle is 36 city, 40 highway, 38 combined for the Sonata Hybrid model, and 36 city, 40 highway, and 37 combined for the Sonata Hybrid Limited model. The Sonata Hybrid starts at an MSRP of $25,650 and the Sonata Hybrid Limited starts at $30,550 (both excluding $795 for freight).

The hybrid battery system has a lifetime warranty that ensures that if the lithium-polymer battery ever needs replacement, Hyundai will replace it for free and cover related recycling costs. The automaker also offers a 10-year powertrain warranty for this vehicle.