2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sips fuel with style

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata got a futuristic design update
Sonata Hybrids have EPA-rated fuel economy ratings of 47 mpg combined
Starting price is $32,150 for 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The Sonata Hybrid arrived on the scene for 2024 with an injection of style, but not at the expense of fuel economy. 

As Toyota’s moved the Camry to an all-hybrid lineup, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid fires back with EV-like design cues, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and a value-oriented price. It wins in most respects, but the Camry bests the Hyundai in overall smoothness and in one distinct packaging gripe.

The only slightly higher-priced 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models are now in stock now at dealerships. But they’re carried over unchanged, and the automaker tossed me the keyfob of a ’24 for a week earlier this fall to sort where this hybrid sedan lineup fits into the segment.

Hyundai Sonata gets dose of EV style

Hyundai reskinned the Sonata with cues taken directly from its EV lineup.

A strip of LEDs spans the front end as a daytime running light with the LED headlights now tucked lower in the bumper. The headlights are hidden at first glance by a healthy amount of black plastic that blends into the large lower grille. The rear end has updated taillights that are beneath a plastic cover with a 3D pattern embedded in it. An integrated lip spoiler on the trunk lid makes the entire car both slipperier and sportier looking. It’s all futuristic-looking without going full Cybertruck.

Inside, the updated dashboard takes cues from the refreshed 2024 Santa Fe crossover SUV in the best way. The horizontal dashboard is set low, which in turn provides terrific forward visibility and gives an open, airy feeling up front. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen are housed under a single pane of curved glass, set low in the dashboard so as to not obstruct the driver’s view.

The touchscreen’s iPad-like interface will feel familiar to anyone that’s been in a recent Hyundai vehicle including the EVs. A child could navigate the system, unlike the system found in a Toyota Camry. It looks much fresher than the interface in the Honda Accord hybrid. While the climate controls are now part of a touch-based panel, temperature and volume knobs remain. Thank you, Hyundai.

Drivers will find Hyundai’s latest gear selector behind the lower right section of the steering column. Twist and push to control gear selections, just like in the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 EVs, which in turn opens up some space on the center console.

The Sonata isn’t the smoothest operator

Whereas the Camry and Honda Accord hybrids are buttery smooth, the Sonata is not.

The 2.0-liter inline-4 hooks to a 6-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor, with the latter powered by a 1.62-kwh battery pack. The system is rated at 192 hp combined. That’s notably less than the Camry’s 225-hp system output. Hyundai routes the power to the front wheels; all-wheel drive isn’t an option like it is on the Camry.

Power handoffs and assists between electric-only mode and the gas engine can send sometimes send a jolt through the system as it matches up motor boost (or regen) with transmission shifts—sometimes resulting in some noteworthy hesitation, too. This hybrid system doesn’t incorporate a torque converter for the transmission, so there’s a lot of fancy footwork between components. My kids didn’t seem to notice those intermittent rough shifts though, and they usually complain about everything

Notably the Sonata is much quieter, both in terms of the ruckus from under the hood and wind noise, than the Camry. There’s clearly more sound deadening in the Hyundai.

Like before, the ride is controlled, comfortable, and the steering is nicely weighted without being overboosted. But don’t expect road feedback before the low rolling resistance tires start howling on a cloverleaf ramp.

Sonata Hybrid gets Prius-like fuel economy

My 2024 Sonata Hybrid Limited tester checked in with EPA fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city, 51 highway, and 47 combined. That puts the Hyundai nipping at the Toyota Camry’s heels and ahead of the Honda Accord in terms of efficiency. 

I saw an average of 40.6 mpg during 246 miles of mixed suburban driving over the course of a week. At one point the Sonata hybrid was averaging 44 mpg until fall ambient temperatures dropped into the low 40s.

Hyundai gave the updated Sonata Hybrid multiple levels of regenerative braking, which is controlled via the paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel. It’s a concept out of EVs rarely seen in hybrids. It works just like in Hyundai’s EVs, but one-pedal driving is out of the question as it simply doesn’t bake in enough regen at the third highest level. Hyundai’s i-Pedal, which is the automaker’s strongest level of regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, is absent here. The extra levels of regenerative braking make it hard to drive smoothly as the regen doesn’t kick in until fully off the accelerator pedal, unlike in an EV. It’s very on or off, which leads to jerking motions.

Sonata compromises on packaging

Front passengers will find comfortable seats with plenty of support in every direction. Space isn’t an issue.

The rear seat is tighter on legroom than the Accord, but similar to the Camry. The door openings are wider than those of the Camry but not as wide as the Accord. But it’s the headroom that is the real compromise. 

Hyundai’s scalloped out the sides of the headliner for outboard passengers, but the middle seat isn’t so lucky. At 5-foot-10, I only had about 1.5 inches above my head in the outboard seats. The raised center seat in the middle had me hitting my head on the headliner.

The rear seat headrests aren’t integrated as part of the rear seat back, thankfully, like in the latest Accord. This adjustability will be welcomed by taller rear-seat riders.

At 16.0 cubic feet the trunk is sizable enough for a few rollaboards and bests the Camry’s 15.1 cubic foot trunk. But the Accord hybrid still reigns supreme at 16.7 cubic feet.

Sonata Hybrid leans on value

The value proposition with the Sonata Hybrid is strong and the lineup is simple. The base SEL Hybrid costs $31,950 including a $1,150 destination charge and has no real options to speak of other than color choices. My Limited Hybrid trim cost $38,560 and added niceties such as leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, blind-spot monitors, and a remote parking assistant (you’ve seen the smart park commercial, right?).

The Camry undercuts the Sonata Hybrid across the board by about $1,000, but base models feature far less content than the Sonata, ranging from no wireless smartphone charging and a smaller touchscreen to cloth seats.

Hyundai offers the Sonata so there aren’t option packages and upsells, which is borderline refreshing. The base car doesn’t feel like a base car, and there’s a lot of content for the money.

The Sonata’s powertrain could use some polish, but there’s no arguing this midsize family sedan packs more style and features for the money than any competitor while still sipping fuel.