By Mary Lowry
The new plug-in hybrid version of Hyundai’s exceptional Sonata midsize sedan is available at dealerships in all the ZEV (zero emission vehicle) states. These are states that have officially committed to ensuring implementation of programs that promote zero-emission vehicles, including consumer incentives, investments in charging and fueling infrastructure, fleet sales, and dealership mandates.
There are currently 10 ZEV states, including California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and not Washington.
Don’t worry, though. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV for short) is available to Washington residents, even if it isn’t at dealerships. You’d have to order it, the way you would if you wanted a car in a different color or with different features than what’s available on the lot.
Before the plug-in hybrid version, Sonata was already available in hybrid form. The advantage of adding plug-in technology is that the car can run on electric power alone – for up to 27 miles, thanks to a 9.8 kWh lithium polymer battery pack that is about five times larger than the regular hybrid’s battery.
The PHEV’s 50 kW electric motor also surpasses the hybrid’s, by 32 percent, and a 154-horsepower four-cylinder gas engine combines with it to produce a total horsepower rating of 202 for the car. The engine and a regenerative braking system keep the battery charged while the car is being driven.
A plug-in full recharge of the battery takes about three hours using a 240-volt Level Two charging station, or about nine hours using a standard 120-volt outlet.
The hybrid powertrain switches fluidly between electric and gas modes. It has an electricity/gasoline fuel economy rating equivalent to 99 mpg, a city/highway average of 40 mpg using gasoline only, and a range of up to 600 miles when both power sources have been topped up.
An exclusive Blue Link smartphone app lets owners manage and monitor their Sonata PHEV remotely, performing such functions as starting the engine, locking the doors, and orchestrating the car’s charging schedule.
Sonata PHEV, available in base and Limited versions, inherits all of the conventional Sonata’s desirable qualities, including a midsize-defying amount of room in the passenger cabin for both rows of seats, and a refined ride that is quiet and comfortable but not sleep-inducingly dull. Trunk space is reduced a bit to accommodate the hybrid system, and you’ll want to keep the plug-in charging cable on board, but it fits nicely into its own attractive soft case with zippered closing, and takes up considerably less space than a young child’s backpack.
Pricing for the 2016 Sonata PHEV, including an $835 destination charge, starts at $35,435 for the base model and $39,435 for the Limited. Don’t forget about the federal tax credits (not deductions, credits; big difference) that help lower these costs. Sonata Plug-in Hybrid buyers are eligible for a $2,500 fixed federal tax credit and a variable federal tax credit based on battery capacity that will also be more than $2,000.
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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