GREEN | 9 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
24/35 mpg (six-speed automatic)
EPA
2.0T: 22/33 mpg (six-speed manual)
EPA
Hybrid: 3/40 mpg or 38 mpg combined (six-speed automatic)
EPA
With new models for 2013 like the Ford Fusion EcoBoost and the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, higher mileage ratings are no longer the exclusive domain of the Sonata, but in its most popular form, it remains a standout with 35 mpg highway.
The EPA gives the entry-level Sonata 24/35 mpg with the six-speed automatic. Add on a turbocharger to the automatic-equipped car, and the resulting Sonata 2.0T gets a rating of 22/33 mpg.
The Sonata Hybrid, meanwhile, has been significantly revamped to improve driving feel and fuel economy. It's now rated slightly higher for EPA mileage, at 36/40 mpg or 38 mpg combined. It also has better packaging for its batteries, freeing up another cubic foot of space in the trunk. We'll report back when we've had a chance to drive the latest Sonata Hybrid, and to judge whether its hybrid integration has smoothed out enough for us to recommend it.
Conclusion
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a fuel-efficiency standout—and that's on top of the base Sonata's 35-mpg highway rating.
