2020 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID ADDS
FUN TO FUEL-SIPPING PERFORMANCE
If you still cling to the notion that a gas-electric powertrain has to be a boring vehicle that is no fun to drive, you need to check out the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. You will likely change your mind.
The Sonata offers a different kind of hybrid performance. Though it wouldn’t be your first choice for a drag race, it is a peppy performer around town and a steady cruiser on the highway.
Part of the eighth generation Sonata the South Korean automaker introduced for 2020, the Sonata Hybrid comes in three trims, starting with the base Blue and continuing with the upgraded SEL and Limited models. A plug-in Hybrid was dropped from the lineup.
The Limited that served as my test vehicle for the week comes with a long list of standard equipment.
All models are front-wheel drive with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gas engine (150 horsepower, 139 pound-feet of torque) paired with an electric motor (51 hp, 151 lb.-ft) for a net 192 horsepower at 6000 rpm.
Rather than a continuously variable transmission (CVT) often found in hybrid drivetrains, the Sonata gets a 6-speed automatic with manual shift mode. It also includes a Sport mode, which adds to the driving experience.
The Blue earns the top EPA mileage figures of 50 miles-per-gallon city, 54 highway, and 52 combined. The slightly heavier SEL and Limited’s numbers are 45/51/47, all an increase over the previous model’s 41/42 figures.
Included in the Limited’s base MSRP of $35,300 are such niceties as LED headlights and taillights, proximity key entry and push-button start, adaptable cruise control, hands-free trunk release, leather seating surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats, power front seat with memory settings for the driver, Bose premium sound system, dual automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Hyundai’s Blue Link system, and a solar panel roof that feeds the lithium-ion battery.
Safety features include a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, parking assist, and around-view monitor. A lane-keeping assist system can be a bit on the sensitive side with its annoying beeps, but it can be turned off.
Also included is Hyundai’s Blind Spot View Monitor that shows any traffic that may be in your blindspot via an image projected in the tach or speedometer gauges’ spot in the instrument cluster when the corresponding turn signal is activated. It’s a nice touch that seemingly has limited appeal, but I find a nice addition.
The only extra on my test Sonata was $135 for carpeted floor mats, making the final total $36,430.
The Limited’s interior has a nice, comfortable feel about it with good legroom both front (46.1 inches) and back (34.8). Truck space is a very generous 16 cubic feet, which matches that of the gas-only Sonata.
The Limited’s overall cabin ambiance has a premium feel about it, and the exterior appearance rivals that of luxury models costing thousands of dollars more. It’s an eye-catcher, for sure.
A friend of mine and fellow reviewer, someone who gets a new vehicle in his driveway every week, summed up the whole package.
“This,” he said, “is what I would buy if I needed a personal car for my family.”
What I liked about the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited: In addition to the performance, the ride is quiet and comfortable, and the cabin is roomy and nicely appointed. Fuel economy is excellent, and I love that you don’t have to plug it in to recharge. It has lots of technology that is intuitive to operate, and the annoying whine that is typical to hybrids when they are coming to a stop is absent.
What I didn’t like about the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited: Although the infotainment system is very user friendly, I missed having a knob to surf the radio dial. There is one to control volume. Why get rid of the one to change stations? I just hope it is not an indication that designers are going to follow competitors with unnecessary “updates” to infotainment features.
Would I buy the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited: Without a doubt, yes. If you haven’t been completely taken in by the trend to crossover SUVs and are open to a sedan, this one should be on your list. The only drawback would be that the Hybrid Limited is at the top of the Sonata’s price range. But the base Blue trim starts at under $28,000, and the SEL under $30,000 (not including destination and delivery). The 2020 Sonata Hybrid carries over to 2021.
REDESIGN TAKES 2020 HYUNDAI SONATA SEDAN INTO ITS EIGHTH GENERATION
A redesign for the 2020 model moves the Hyundai Sonata into its eighth generation as what the South Korean company heralds as its “longest standing and most successful model” globally.
With a svelte, coupe-like profile, classy interior, and lots of standard features, the 2020 Sonata makes for a compelling competitor in the affordable midsize sedan segment long dominated by entries from Toyota and Honda.
It comes in four trims with SE and SEL models powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and SEL Plus and Limited getting a new 1.6-liter turbo-4. The 2.5 enjoys a slight horsepower edge (191-180) while the turbo has the advantage in torque (195 pound-feet to 181)
All Sonatas come with an 8-speed automatic transmission with drive mode select, and the difference in mileage numbers is negligible (28 mpg city, 38 highway, 32 combined for the SE, 27/37/32 for SEL and 27/36/32 for SEL Plus and Limited).
The updated styling is what Hyundai trumpets as an example of the company’s “Sensuous Sportiness design language” with cues and touches that depart from the usual Hyundai look, starting up front with a new mesh grille. Overall, the Sonata has a sportier appearance than its predecessor.
The Limited version, which served for my test vehicle, has a long list of standard technological features that include Hyundai’s new remote parking assist. As you have likely seen in TV ads, it allows you do stand outside and maneuver the Sonata into particularly tight parking spaces so you don’t have to worry about door dings or squeezing into and out of the car.
The Limited also gets Hyundai’s advanced blind spot warning system that includes a camera that flashes an image in the instrument panel of what is trailing you to the side you are turning. When turning left, the image appears in the speedometer. When the right turn signal is activated, the image appears in the tachometer.
Also new and standard on the Limited is a Digital Key System that lets you start the Sonata via an app on your Smart phone (Android, not iPhone at this time) and an adaptive cruise control that will set your speed to the posted limit (which some, ahem, might consider annoying).
A very clear surround-view camera system, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats and leather seating surfaces, push-button start, dual automatic climate control, and a Bose premium sound system also are standard on the Sonata Limited.
You can get some of those functions on other trims by adding Convenience and Technology Packages, but the only extra for my Sonata Limited were carpeted floor mats for $135, which with the $930 destination and delivery charge ran the final MSRP up to $34,365.
Sonata SE models start at $23,600, the SEL at $25,700, and SEL Plus at $27,650.
What I liked about the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited: It looks great, and the upgrades have given the interior a classy appeal. The ride is very smooth and quiet. Safety features like blind-spot warning and smart cruise control are standard on the Limited.
What I didn’t like about the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited: It’s a small thing, tiny really, but I don’t like the elimination of a knob to change radio stations and surf the dial. In itself it is not so bad, but it is a step in the wrong direction for a company known for user-friendly technology. A more powerful engine option also would be a nice addition for a sportier performance.
Would I buy the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited? Yes. It’s a good looking sedan with a long list of standard features and though it doesn’t rate high in performance, it is up to most daily challenges.
AFTER SPECTACULAR DEBUT, HYUNDAI KONA SUBCOMPACT SUV PRETTY MUCH HAS IT ALL
Introduced as a 2018 model, the Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV wasted little time making an impression when judges at the North American Auto Show in Detroit selected it as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, making it the first in its class to be so honored.
Previous winners of the award created in 2017 to go with Car of the Year and Truck of the Year were the Volvo XC60 and the reintroduced Chrysler Pacific and the winner for 2020 was the Kia Telluride, all larger and higher priced than the spunky little vehicle that gets its name from the west coast of the big island of Hawaii.
Slotted between the new smaller Venue and the slightly larger Tucson in the South Korean automaker’s SUV/crossover lineup, the Kona comes in five trims for 2020.
The base SE starts at $20,300, the SEL $22,100, and the SEL Plus (added after the initial launch) $23,950 in front-wheel-drive configuration with each getting a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Kona Limited and Kona Ultimate on which this review get a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated with a 7-speed double-clutch transmission and carry starting MSRPs of $26,100 and $27,950, respectively, for FWD models.
AWD adds $1,400 to each of the trims.
The good thing, especially if you have trouble making decisions, is that the prices include all but the destination and delivery charge of $1,095 and small extras like carpeted floor mats ($135).
Instead of confusing option and optional features to a trim, the standard equipment list keeps expanding as you move up the line.
Thus from such standard features on 16-inch alloy wheels, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, rear-view monitor with parking guidance, LED daytime running lights, remote keyless entry, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power windows, a 7-inch LCD touchscreen displays and a cargo area cover on SE models moving up to the top-of-the-line Ultimate gets you 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, proximity key with push-button start, leather seats with leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a head-up display, 8-inch color touchscreen with navigation, and rain-sensing wipers.
Parking distance warning and forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection also are among standard safety features on the Ultimate model. For 2020, Hyundai made adaptive cruise control standard for the Ultimate.
The 1.6L turbo engine gives the Kona a much livelier performance than the 2.0L on the SE, SEL, and SEL Plus trims. It is rated at 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque compared to the 147/132 numbers on the normally aspirated 4-bangers with a negligible difference in fuel economy numbers.
Both engines drink regular gas with the 1.6L turbo rated at 28 miles-per-gallon city, 32 highway and 30 combined on FWD models compared to 27/33/30 for the 2.0L AWD drive trims. With AWD, the numbers are 26/29/27 for the 1.6L turbo and 26/30/28 the 2.0L.
As I said, a negligible difference.
You can tailor your driving mode depending on your mood. Feeling frugal? Normal mode prioritizes fuel economy over performance. Feeling frisky? Sport mode adds to more rapid get-off-the-line responses and earlier downshifts when braking.
I didn’t drive the 2.0L engine, but splurging for the 1.6L turbo would seem to be worth the extra cost. Zeroto60times.com did not have a listing for the 2020 model but the 2019 Kona Ultimate with AWD was clocked at a respectable 6.3 seconds, making the Kona one of the zippiest in its class.
The overall ride is comfortable and quiet enough, and the simplicity of the infotainment operation makes it even more so, especially when going solo.
Cabin comforts for the 5-passenger Kona are first-rate with none of the feeling of cheapness you often get from vehicles at the low-end of the pricing chart. Ultimate and Limited editions get leather seats, which adds to the ambiance.
All models also get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay among standard tech features, and SEL Plus, Limited, and Ultimate also come with Blind Spot Warning and a three-year subscription to Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity services.
I should also mention here that the Kona also is available with an electric drivetrain, but that is a separate model. It has an estimated range of 258 miles on a full charge.
What I liked about the 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate: The Kona comes with a lot of standard technology and other features that make for a very comfortable fit while keeping the MSRP well under $30,000. As usual with vehicles from the South Korean automaker, the tech functions are very user friendly and take very little getting used do. Features like lane-keeping assist and driver assist are not overbearing as on some competitors.
What I didn’t like about the 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate: The back seat is a bit cramped (less than 35 inches of legroom) and there isn’t a lot in the way of cargo room (19.2 cubic feet) for its class. That’s more than found on your usual sedan (even full-size models) but barely more than what the smaller Venue offers.
Would I guy the 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate? Yes. It’s among the best in its class and offers a ton of features at a competitive price. If you want to get away from a sedan (as many buyers are) but are shying away from a larger SUV/crossover, this may be perfect for you.
HYUNDAI IONIQ OFFERS BUYERS CHOICE
OF THREE FUEL-EFFICIENT POWER TRAINS
About at the midpoint of its first generation that was introduced for the 2017 model year, Hyundai’s 2020 Ioniq hatchback gets a refreshing that keeps it at the forefront of its class.
It is offered with one of three, fuel-sipping powertrains — traditional gas-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric — and at prices that, at least by today’s standards, won’t break your bank account.
The Ioniq (Hyundai prefers IONIQ but I’m running low on capital letters) Hybrid starts at $24,155 (including delivery charges) for the base Blue trim. Upgraded SE models start at $26,105, SEL at $29,355, and the top-of-the-line Limited at $31,155.
The Hybrid comes with with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas engine combined with a 32-kW electric motor mated to a 6-speed, dual-clutch transmission that shifts so smoothly you might think it is a CVT.
Horsepower and torque numbers for the combined gas-electric system are 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet, respectively, with fuel economy checking in a 55 miles-per-gallon city and 54 highway, saving you an estimated $3,750 in fuel costs over a 5-year period (if you trust the government’s numbers).
The Hybrid Blue gets a slightly higher fuel number (58 mpg), and the Plug-In offers a bit more horsepower (156) but the same torque number (195). The Plug-In has a top all-electric range of 29 miles, but the Electric Ioniq claims a range of 170 miles.
MSRPs for the Ioniq Plug-In are $27,230 (SE), $30,230 (SEL), and $36,380 (Limited). MSRPs for the Ioniq Electric are $34,000 (SE) and $39,560 (Limited).
This review is based on the Hybrid HEV Limited.
Hyundai gave all trims upgrades such as a new grille, new front and rear bumper fascias, LED head, tail, and daytime running lights, new wheel designs, and new side sill moldings for 2020.
Interior enhacements include a new console upper cover, new center LCD information screen, dark chrome instrument panel trim, touchdown heating and cooling controls, and new ambient lighting.
Some of the touchscreen controls can be a bit fussy, and I resorted to using the voice command system to change radio stations and that worked fine.
Many of the features that once were available as option packages are now standard on the Limited, including the 10.25-inch screen navigation system, adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go, Harmon-Kardon Premium sound system, front parking sensors, lane follow assist, and forward collision avoidance with Pedestrian Detection.
In addition, no charge features on the Limited include 17-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot alert, power tilt-and-slide sunroof, an electric parking brake, auto hold, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, ambient LED lighting, cargo cover, Android Auto and Apple CarPlan, and Hundai’s Blue Link connectivity system (think OnStar).
The Ioniq has a nicely appointed, spacious interior with up to 42.2 inches of legroom up front and 35.7 for the second row.
Cargo space is a generous 23.5 cubic feet, a big plus over hybrid sedans.
All in all, the Ioniq has to be on your list if you are searching for a hybrid that looks mainstream.
What I liked about the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq HEV Limited: Superb exterior styling and a roomy interior featuring high-quality materials rate high. The plentiful technological features are all user-friendly. The ride is smooth and comfortable, and fuel mileage is excellent.
What I didn’t like about the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq HEV Limited: Road noise seemed to be on the high side, but it’s not a big issue. A bit more healthier throttle response would be nice, but performance is livened up when in Sport mode.
Would I buy the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq HEV Limted? Yes. Few hybrid-only vehicles have the all-around sex appeal that the Ioniq does. Most simply look dorky perhaps in a futile attempt to project a futuristic image.
HYUNDAI TINKERS WITH EQUIPMENT UPDATES ON VELOSTER HATCHBACK FOR 2020
After a redesign for 2019, not a whole lot was left for Hyundai to do with its sporty little Veloster hatchback for 2020.
It still retains the innovative three-door design with one coupe-sized door on the driver’s side and two sedan-like doors on the passenger side for easier access to a small backseat, and it offers a generous 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats that more than doubles to 44.4 cubic feet when those second-row seats are folded.
And it still has the kind of sassy attitude that the original Veloster exuded when it was introduced for the 2012 model year.
What’s different for 2020 is more a matter of subtraction than addition in features. Most notably, a 6-speed manual transmission is no longer available on the Turbo Ultimate trim level. If working a clutch pedal to shift gears is your thing, you’ll have to look at the base 2.0 model, the Turbo R-Spec or the performance-oriented Veloster N. Not bad choices, by the way.
Other tweaks include blind-spot collision warning with rear cross-traffic warning as standard on the Turbo R-Spec, wireless charging as standard on Turbo and Turbo Ultimate trims, cargo area tie-downs on all trims, new front and rear fascia accents, and gloss black side skirts in place of flat black.
The Veloster is offered in six trim levels starting with the base 2.0 that has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated either the 6-speed manual ($19,755 including destination and delivery) or a 6-speed automatic transmission for $1,000 more.
That engine is rated at 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, which is OK for your daily commute but not much in the way of fun.
Other trims get various engine/transmission combos with the 2.0 Premium coming with the 2.0 4-banger/Shiftronic transmission as standard while the R-Spec Turbo gets a 1.6 turbocharged 4-cylinder (hence the trim name) with the 6-speed manual.
The upgraded Turbo and Turbo Ultimate have the 1.6-turbo engine with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and the Veloster N comes with a slightly larger, 2.0-liter turbo-4 and 6-speed manual transmission.
The turbo engines offer more in the way of get-up-and-go with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, though mileage figures are about the same for either engine (28 miles-per-gallon city, 34 highway and 30 combined for the turbo and 27/34/30 for the 2.0 trim with an automatic and 25/33/28 for the manual).
The Veloster N packs a punch of 250 horsepower with the standard package and up to 275 horsepower with the performance package.
This review is based on the Turbo Ultimate that carried a bottom-line MSRP of $29,215 with the only extra $135 for carpeted floor mats.
No extras really are needed for the Ultimate with a long line of standard features that include such niceties as LED low-beam headlights, LED tail lamps, Infinity Premium audio with 8 speakers, navigation with an 8-inch display screen, SiriusXM satellite radio (unless you live in Hawaii or Alaska), wireless charging pad, head-up display, automatic climate control, power lumbar support for the driver’s seat, a 3-yard subscription to Hyundai’s Blue Link systems, leather seats, and adaptive cruise control.
Standard safety features include lane-keeping assist, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning.
Frankly, that’s a pretty impressive list for a vehicle in this particular class.
What I liked about the 2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate: It is a fun car to drive, and the infotainment functions are all very easy to operate. The head-up display shows not only your speed in digital form but serves as a tachometer as well, handy if you are using the paddle shifters. The big improvement is that the hologram does not disappear if you are wearing polarized sunglasses.
What I didn’t like about the 2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate: No manual transmission is offered on the Turbo Ultimate trim for 2020. Where is the fun in that? The latch to release the front seatback to provide access to the rear from the driver's side is at the bottom of the seatback, making it a two-handed operation to return the back to the desired position. When the lever is lifted, the seat back snaps back but not all the way to its previous location. With a rear door on the passenger side providing access, it’s not a deal breaker, but still can be inconvenient at times
Would I buy the 2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate? Yes. If I was looking for a sporty hatchback for basic workday commutes and perhaps weekend getaways, this would be high on my list of prospects.
HYUNDAI TEAM PREVIEWS NEW VENUE SUV FOR SOUTH FLORIDA AUTO JOURNALISTS
A Hyundai team of executives and publicists were in Miami January 15 to preview the latest edition to their fleet of SUVs/crossovers, the new 2020 compact Venue, for an audience of Southern Automotive Media Association members who gathered at a local restaurant.
It becomes the seventh SUV model in the South Korean manufacturer’s U.S lineup that includes its hydrogen fuel cell Nexo.
Why come to Miami?
“The Venue is ideally suited for folks that are here in Miami,” said Mike O’Brien, Vice President, Product, Corporate and Digital Planning. “They’re young people, they’re people just starting out, and they generally have what’s called a ‘side hustle’.”
In addition to their day job, they are writers or musicians or artists, the kind of folks who want a vehicle they can be passionate about as well as versatile and affordable, O’Brien said.
“But most importantly, something that’s easy to park and maneuver in dense urban environments like Miami,” he said. "And it’s a car that allows me to express myself like I can’t with other vehicles.”
That may be the primary target for the Venue, but it’s not the only one.
“We’ll get empty nesters, too,” O’Brien said. “People who are looking to downsize with the kids off -- they’ve got their own jobs, they’ve got their own life and don’t need a big car any more.”
The Venue also gives those who have only been able to shop in the used car market before a viable option.
“Last year there were 41 million used cars sold in the United States,” O’Brien said. “Out of that 41 million cars sold in the United States, almost a third of the buyers tried to buy a new car.
“Maybe their FICO score hadn’t been good enough, maybe they didn’t have enough down payment, maybe their trade-in value had not been good enough. For whatever reason, they were forced instead of buying a new car that they started out shopping for they ended up buying a certified preowned car or a used car.”
A 2- or 3-year-old car doesn’t have all the features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, pre-collision braking or Smart Phone connectivity found on new cars today.
“That’s a key theme with our engineers and designers that they really tried to stick with when they were developing this car,” O’Brien said.
Thus technological features found on the new Venue include an 8-inch display screen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and next-generation Blue Link Connected Car System, dual-charging USB ports, a rear-view monitor, and heated front seats and side mirrors.
Safety features include Forward Collision Avoidance system, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, driver attention warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The new Venue comes in three trim levels starting at $17,350 for the base SE trim with a 6-speed manual transmission mated to the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. For $18,550, the SE also is available with a new “Smartstream” Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) that is standard on SE ($19,250) and top-of-the-line Denim ($22,050) trims.
Fuel efficiency in the SEL with the IVT is rated at an impressive 30 miles-per-gallon city, 35 highway, and 32 combined. The SE gets numbers of 27/35/30. The Venue is offered with front-wheel drive only, but a new, advanced “snow mode” gives the Venue near the capability of all-wheel drive without the extra cost or fuel penalty that comes with all-wheel capability.
Essentially, the IVT is the latest version of a Continuously Variable Transmission and in our brief driving experience had more the feel of a standard automatic than the older versions of the CVT.
There are all sorts of reasons for that and O’Brien can give you the briefing if you ever have the opportunity to speak with him. You can take our word that was no lag to throttle response when getting away from an intersection.
As O’Brien noted, the Venue is also a good vehicle for high traffic environs.
Not that Hyundai has forgotten about shoppers looking for a bigger SUV.
“If you want a bigger vehicle, we’ve got it,” O’Brien said. “If you want something that’s more exciting and more affordable and easier to maneuver and part for people who seek that, we’ve got that covered, too.”
