Hyundai makes three versions of the front-wheel-drive Sonata Hybrid: Blue, SEL, and Limited. Their powertrain unites a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters). The combined system produces 192 horsepower, and the torque output is 139 lb.-ft. from the gas engine and 151 lb.-ft. from the electric motor. The EPA has estimated that the fuel economy for the Blue reaches 50 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the highway. The SEL and Limited are rated for 45 mpg around town and 51 mpg on the open road.
The Sonata Hybrid Blue is set up well – especially for a base model – as it gets dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, LED exterior lighting with automatic headlights, a hands-free trunk release, cloth upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The SEL is upgraded with heated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power front passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Hyundai Digital Key (keyless access via a smartphone app), heated side mirrors, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The top-of-the-line Limited presents an array of equipment that would be right at home in a luxury car, starting with leather seats (heated and ventilated in the front row) a heated steering wheel, and a head-up display. It also has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a driver’s position memory system.
Hyundai SmartSense is installed on every 2023 Sonata Hybrid. This grouping of the latest driver aids has forward-collision mitigation (with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection), lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. The Limited gets some additional features: highway driving assist, rear automatic braking, front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot view monitor, a surround-view monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The Blue’s infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system, while the SEL and Limited have a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose 12-speaker sound system. All trims have Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, USB ports, and access to Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services. Navigation is added to the two higher trims.
