The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can travel up to 43 km on electric power and can recharge in less than three hours with a 240V (Level 2) charger. Once the maximum electric-only range has been reached, the Sonata PHEV goes on to perform just like a regular hybrid vehicle.

The all-new 2017 Sonata Hybrid continues to visually differentiate itself from other Sonata models with purposefully unique styling changes that improve aerodynamics while highlighting its advanced technology and efficiency. The Sonata Hybrid delivers improved fuel economy over the previous-generation Sonata Hybrid.

The Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, built at the Asan plant in South Korea, will go on sale this summer and fall, respectively. Prices will be announced closer to the vehicles’ on-sale date.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID (HEV) & PLUG-IN HYBRID (PHEV)

• Second generation of Hyundai’s hybrid intermediate sedan (HEV)
• Hyundai’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
• “Fluidic sculpture 2.0” design theme with unique aerodynamic enhancements
• Best-in-class 0.24 coefficient of drag for low fuel consumption and reduced wind noise
• Standard “Nu” 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (154 horsepower, 140 lb-ft of torque) paired with 38 kW (HEV) or 50 kW (PHEV) electric motor
• Cutting-edge lithium polymer battery that is smaller, lighter, more energy-dense, more thermally stable, and more durable than metal-nickel hybrid and lithium ion batteries
• First hybrid intermediate sedan with high-voltage battery stored completely beneath the rear load floor for unmatched cargo versatility, including 60/40 split-fold rear seats (HEV only)
• Best-in-class cargo capacity
• Intuitive interior design with high-quality materials and switchgear
• A full range of driving assistance and safety technologies
  • 7 standard airbags
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop-and-go capability
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
  • Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
  • Lane Change Assist (LCA)
  • High Beam Assist (HBA)
  • Rear parking assistance sensors
• Comprehensive list of available comfort and convenience features
  • Heated front/rear seats, ventilated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Panoramic sunroof (HEV only)
  • Proximity-activated ”Smart Trunk”
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control system
  • 8.0-inch touch-screen navigation system
  • Auto-leveling Bi-Xenon HID headlights
  • LED tail lights, daytime running lights, and side mirror turn signal repeaters

PLUG-IN POWERTRAIN

Although the Sonata PHEV is very technologically advanced, it will behave much like the regular Sonata Hybrid from the driver’s seat. A 9.8 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, roughly five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s battery, is expected to give Sonata Plug-in Hybrid an all-electric estimated range of up to 43 km, farther than any other intermediate PHEV sedan.

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid uses a six-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED), a 50 kW electric motor, in place of a torque converter. This electric motor is 32 percent more powerful than the motor used the in regular Sonata Hybrid and allows EV operation at higher speeds and for greater duration. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine is combined to the electric motor to power the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid once the battery is depleted. Sonata PHEV’s gasoline engine produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque and the total net system output is 202 horsepower at 6,000 rpm.

Recharge time for the 9.8 kWh lithium polymer battery ranges from less than three hours at a 240V (Level 2) charging station to less than nine hours with the car’s included charge pack plugged into a standard 120V wall outlet.

The Sonata PHEV will be available nation-wide later in 2015.

HYBRID POWERTRAIN

The heart of the Sonata Hybrid is the 2.0-litre “Nu” GDI four-cylinder engine (replacing a 2.4-litre MPI engine) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that houses a more powerful 38 kW electric motor and clutch where the torque converter would normally be found. Sonata Hybrid’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) delivers the same responsive, engaging driving characteristics Sonata owners expect while improving fuel economy through the use of the larger electric motor.

This innovative transmission has been upgraded significantly since its introduction with the original Sonata Hybrid and now uses an electric oil pump, improving efficiency through reduced parasitic loss. Sonata Hybrid’s fully parallel Blue Drive hybrid architecture enables the vehicle to operate solely on electric power, even at highway speeds, by decoupling the gasoline engine from the rest of the drivetrain.

Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0-litre gasoline engine produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor produces 38 kW (51 horsepower) and 151 lb-ft of torque. Hybrid system net output is 193 horsepower at 6,000 rpm.

The lithium-polymer battery pack has a capacity of 1.62 kWh, a 13 percent improvement, and it now fits under the trunk floor, which allows for a flat trunk floor as well as 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The Sonata Hybrid offers best-in-class cargo volume at 380 litres, a 10 percent increase over the previous Sonata Hybrid, thanks to the compact battery pack dimensions and efficient design.

AERODYNAMIC EXTERIOR

Sonata Hybrid and PHEV use the same functional design changes to improve their drag coefficient to a class-leading 0.24 as well as provide visual cues to distinguish the hybrid models from the traditional Sonata. Visual changes to the PHEV’s exterior include a charging port on the driver’s-side front fender. Both models feature a unique grille, front and rear bumpers, front fenders, front and rear lights, chrome side sill moldings, badges, and new wheels from the regular gasoline-powered Sonata.

A distinctive instrument cluster provides PHEV drivers with additional information about the PHEV system’s functions. A charge indicator is located on top of the dashboard to make it easy to see the state of charge from outside the vehicle.

The Sonata Hybrid instrument cluster is a multi-purpose 4.2” colour TFT LCD display that provides information about the hybrid system’s functions.

SAFETY FEATURES

The Sonata Hybrid and PHEV come standard with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag designed to help prevent the driver from sliding down the seat in a collision. Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Traction Control, ABS and a rearview camera also come standard. While projector headlamps are standard on the Sonata Hybrid, powerful Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with automatic High Beam Assist (HBA) are available.

Hyundai engineers implemented many active safety and convenience technologies for the Sonata Hybrid and PHEV to assist drivers and help prevent collisions. No longer reserved for luxury cars, advanced technologies such as Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Lane Departure Warning System are all available in the Hybrid and standard on the PHEV.

An advanced Blind Spot Detection system is designed to alert drivers of an approaching vehicle in the next lane if the turn signal is activated. This Lane Change Assist technology is a segment-exclusive feature. Drivers are first alerted of a vehicle in the blind spot by warning lights in the side mirrors. When the turn signal is activated, the Lane Change Assist system determines the closing speed of any vehicle in the adjacent lane. If the system determines the vehicle in the other lane is closing too quickly, it sounds an audible alarm to warn the driver. The Lane Departure Warning System uses a forward-facing camera to recognize lane markers. If the system detects the vehicle is headed outside the lane markers without an active turn signal, a warning light on the dashboard illuminates and an audible sound alerts the driver.

Rear Cross-traffic Alert (RCTA) is another feature derived from the advanced Blind Spot Detection system. RCTA scans the areas to each side of the vehicle when drivers are backing out of parking spaces. If the system detects another vehicle is approaching from the side, the Sonata driver is given an audible alert.

CONVENIENT TECHNOLOGY

The Sonata Hybrid and PHEV deliver the convenient technology one would normally expect in a luxury vehicle. Hyundai’s proximity-activated automatic opening “Smart Trunk” is standard. An electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold, driver’s Integrated Memory System, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, power front seats with 4-way adjustable driver lumbar and Adaptive Cruise Control featuring stop-and-go capability are available on the Hybrid and standard on the PHEV. The Sonata Hybrid also offers an available panoramic sunroof and rear side window sunshades.

MULTIMEDIA

All Sonata Hybrid and PHEV models come standard with iPod/USB and auxiliary input jacks, SiriusXM satellite radio and Bluetooth phone connectivity with phonebook transfer and voice-recognition. An 8.0-inch navigation system and Infinity premium audio system are available on the Hybrid and standard on the PHEV.

Hyundai’s 8.0-inch AVN 4.0 navigation system offers an enhanced display with improved touch sensitivity, a map and music split screen display, and the ability to record up to 22 minutes of SiriusXM on presets 1-6.

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About Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 210 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai is also the first to offer its zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle to Canadian customers. More information about Hyundai and its vehicles can be found at www.HyundaiCanada.com.