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Good Grades: Just about everything–this is one of the best bargain family sedans I’ve ever driven. The 2.4 liter, 204 hp four cylinder/hybrid combination works very well. It’s the most powerful four cylinder car I’ve driven to date, and the engine is smooth and strong. I’ve read complaints that the drive train doesn’t feel smooth, but during my brief test drive of the Sonata Hybrid, I found nothing bothersome about it. It feels like a V6, but it isn’t. The six-speed automatic shifts smoothly, as well. The interior is excellent, with good ergonomics and controls. The ride also felt just fine to me. The interior materials are good quality as well, further demonstrating that Hyundai has come a very long way in quality and design the last several years.
Fuel economy is also excellent, boasting an impressive 35 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway–that’s hard to beat in a family sedan. The styling is great and simply elegant, though I would argue it even looks better on the smaller 2012 Elantra (I’ve taken photos of both side by side for comparison). Visibility is also good from all angles. The 2011 Sonata Hybrid has a full array of safety features, from anti-lock brakes to a full complement of front and side curtain airbags. It also has a great warranty (a basic 5-year, 60,000 mile warranty and a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty on the drive train).
Bad Grades: Prices on the Sonata Hybrid can get very pricey for budget-minded people if they’re not careful. The GLS would be a great alternative to the Hybrid, but your fuel economy would be 11 mpg less in the city, but still would be very good on the highway. However, its $25,795 base price (and even higher with options) may chase away budget-conscious buyers.
Final Grade: The Car Exam doesn’t give a lot of “A” grades, but the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is more than worthy of it. Its styling makes the competition look dated, and other Sonata models have proven to be a reliable–something people couldn’t say with a straight face about Hyundai in the past, especially about models from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Dealers are clearing out the 2011 models to make room for the 2012 Sonatas, so if you can find a 2011 Hybrid model at a deep discount, it may be worth a look.
The Car Exam Final Grade: A-/B+
MSRP: $25,795
By P. Scott
The Car Exam 