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2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Review
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is an amazing mid-size sedan that allows you to travel up to 27 miles on electric power and then switch over to gas when you need to go on longer trips.
With the advantages of an electric car and no range anxiety, the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is a car that delivers a lot of value with up to 99 MPGe and plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Review Summary
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The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is a mid-size car, but it still offers a large cabin with plenty of room for the driver as well as passengers in the rear. With 27 miles of electric range the battery isn’t massive, so you still have a lot of trunk space to carry luggage or groceries.
With the strengths of an electric car and no range anxiety, the 2017 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is a top pick for buyers who want a great mid-size car with great fuel economy.
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid starts at $34,600 and there is a $4,919 Federal Tax Credit as well as additional state and local incentives. Our 2017 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Limited cost, $39,610 and adds a bigger touch screen, keyless entry and ignition, automatic bright headlights, leather seating as well as safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Driving & Performance
What you need to know about the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid performance.
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is zippy around town thanks to the nearly instant acceleration that you get from the electric motor. This makes running around town a fun affair and you won’t be left holding up an intersection or trying to get up to speed on an on-ramp.
The Sonata Hybrid drives well and the six-speed transmission shifts smoothly. You will hear the change between electric and gas but rarely feel it. The brakes are grabby, which makes stopping smoothly more challenging. The car is pretty quiet at highway speeds.
With cold weather in Ohio, the range dropped from the 27 miles, but still delivered 21 to 22 miles of range even with the heat blasting.
The Sonata Plug-In Hybrid delivered good electric fuel economy, even in demanding Ohio weather.
When driving on electric-only you can get the equivalent of 99 miles per gallon, but if you drive longer distances this will drop to 50-70 MPGe when you combine gas and electric. Overall we achieved 50 MPGe during our week, which included a decent amount of gas driving after we left the electric range.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Design & Interior
Hyundai only sells two trim levels for the Sonata Hybrid, a base model and the Limited that adds safety features and upgrades the interior to add leather seats and other luxury features.
We appreciate the style of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2017 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is a sharp, modern looking car. This isn’t flashy, but it definitely fits the vision of a modern mid-size car.
Inside the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is roomy and comfortable. The Limited trim package adds leather seating that is comfortable, even for longer trips.
Settle in to a comfortable interior, available in blue leather.
There is a lot of legroom for the front and rear seats. The headroom is good in the front, but a little tight in the back for taller passengers.
The battery takes up some of the trunk, knocking down to just under 10 cubic feet of space. We found this is still a very usable amount of space, but you will find more cargo space in a hatchback style car.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Technology & Safety
You’ll find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2017 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid alongside a very capable Hyundai system that also includes support for an app that can remote start your car and control the door locks. You can use the app to start your car before you unplug so that it is warmed up and ready to go. The upgraded Infinity premium audio option delivers car-filling sound. If you stand behind the car for three seconds with the smart key in your pocket, the trunk will automatically open.
In the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid you get a very nice touch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as electric vehicle options.
The touch screen is responsive and colors look very nice. While I primarily use Apple CarPlay in a vehicle that supports it, the Hyundai software is quite good. Part of the system is an electric vehicle screen that shows you how far you can go on your current charge, any electric chargers nearby (with an option for directions) and the efficiency you are achieving. The video below shows what Apple CarPlay is able to do. The setup is nearly identical in any car.
Hyundai includes safety and convenience features like adaptive cruise control, that allows you to set your speed so that the car will keep you a safe distance from the car in front of you if it is slower. This system can even take you to a full stop and then go back up to speed without the need to press the brakes or gas. Additional safety features like Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alerts help inspire driver confidence and keep you safe in traffic. The Limited trim level adds Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning features.
