Any time I’ve taken on a hybrid as a test vehicle, I’ve all but felt that it’s been wasted on me. I live in the country, while these are cars best suited for the city: their best fuel mileage comes from their ability to run on electricity alone at lower speeds and to shut off their gasoline engines when they come to a stop. That’s far less likely to happen on a rural road where speed limits are higher and stop signs can be many kilometres apart. What’s changing hybrids, and rapidly these days, are advancements in battery technology. It’s the science behind the all-new-for-2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which uses the industry’s first application of a lithium polymer battery. Thanks to this lighter, smaller energy storage unit, I was able to run on electricity alone numerous times at speeds of up to 100 km/h. While it’s also a natural for city dwellers who want a midsize hybrid, the Sonata Hybrid could well open the battery-powered door to those who live in less-congested areas and, up until now, didn’t really get the maximum benefit out of the extra money spent on a gasoline-electric hybrid. Full Article
Thanks +1 on apparently best for those who do mostly highway motoring. Nice size too, should help to get more soccer moms to consider a hybrid for daily hauling. Saw my first HSH on the road the other day. Picked it out by the blacked-out grill treatment. No need to drive one, we're years away from needing a new hybrid... Hopefully, when/should we a second car for in/near-city driving, an all-electric will be in the showrooms in the Ballamer/Washtun metro area.
It is a great alternative and probably easier for the non-hybrid drivers to move into hybrids. However, I have to disagree with this statement. Toyota or Ford hybrids (Camry or Fusion hybrid) don't have a separate gearbox transmission so it is less complex than Sonata hybrid with the extra 6 speed gearbox. Less expensive? I doubt it but how much? Lithium battery is more expensive than NiMh so is the total hybrid system more or less expensive? Their Lithium battery doesn't save space neither. In fact, it takes more interior volume than Camry or Fusion hybrid when compared to their non-hybrid versions.
I was in Alabama last month for work and I test drove a HSH and I liked it allot. I was out of class early one day bored and looking for something to do so off to the nearby Hyundai dealer I went. It drove nicely and had a heck of a nice instrument cluster with a color LCD screen between the two main circular displays that makes our MID look very dated. It also has a triptronic transmission so you can shift the six speed auto if you want. Honestly I have never really given Hyundai the time of day or ever considered owning one. If I was in the market for a hybrid sedan I think I would get the Sonata Hybrid over the others in its class.
HCH forums: Hyundai-Forums.com : Hyundai Forum -> Sonata YF Hybrid As much as I figured out when i researched it due to the fact that i am interested in Optima Hybrid, cars had 4 recalls and 2-3 other TSB's in 2 months on the market...And thats after 6 months delay which was probably to fix some issues. I would be very wary about long term longevity of their batteries, until is proven. I think many of us are spoiled by how reliable Prius is, as I went there thinking to find maybe few issues like lower mpg than claimed and some jerkier transmission... to find 6-7 issues that required fixing in 2 months on the market... thats just not to the standard of the vehicle i would personally purchase.
Man, that's a messy start with software and hardware issues. It makes the Volt launch even more refined.
if so many issues came to life within a month on market, I wonder how many will come later on. It seems like they are at the same point where Toyota was in 1997, except that they mostly dont control the technology, but take it from suppliers, to whom this is first hybrid experience. Ford did a lot better by buying tech from experienced Japanese suppliers.
darn: Check Charging System - Hyundai-Forums.com : Hyundai Forum another big issue for Sonata Hybrid, this time around is check charing system warning, together with total loss of power. This I believe is now 5th major issue on Sonata Hybrid in 4.5 months on the roads. At this point why would any of those owners try to keep their vehicles is beyond me. I would be very worried about reliability after few years.
This is very bad due to safety concern. If the first gen Prius or Insight did it, hybrids will be a total failure. I hope Hyundai get to the bottom of it and resolve it quickly.
