Used 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

There aren’t many mainstream midsize sedans with hybrid drivetrains. There’s this, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the Honda Accord Hybrid — a new generation of which debuts for the 2023 model year. It’s a tough choice since pricing is all in the same kind of region, as is fuel economy.

The Sonata Hybrid has reassuring warranties, not that we’d have any qualms about anything from Honda or Toyota. As far as accident protection goes, all three are impressively robust. So each car is capable of appealing to a buyer’s rational side.

Perhaps the decision might end up being swayed by the irrational. Opinions differ, but we could imagine a lot of people liking the looks of the 2023 Sonata Hybrid. Since there’s already so much depth to the Sonata Hybrid, it’s okay to be shallow in this respect.

The non-hybrid 2023 Sonata sedan lineup is reviewed separately.

Chances are, the kind of person thinking seriously about buying a new Sonata Hybrid sedan is not the pedal-to-the-metal, corner-carving type. In which case, they won’t have unrealistically high expectations of how much fun the driving experience can (or can’t) deliver. Sedate, serene, fuel-sipping progress is the main trait.

This is one of the few areas where the 2023 Sonata Hybrid fails to impress. Even the way the combustion engine comes in is not particularly smooth.

On the plus side, the car is easy to drive and live with. And if a driver ever feels frustrated by the modest power, they can always say “54 mpg on the highway” to themselves — as long as they have the Blue version (that’s the trim name, not the color). Even the SEL and Limited can achieve 51 mpg.

The Sonata Hybrid Limited trim also comes with a head-up display, allowing the driver to take in vital information while still looking directly ahead.

In Blue trim, the Sonata Hybrid midsize sedan can travel for 686 miles with a full tank. That would be a lot of time in the saddle, but the front seats are sufficiently comfortable and supportive.

There’s a definite air of class to the Sonata Hybrid’s cabin, as if the designers were inspired by Audi interiors — never a bad thing. This is especially evident in the top Limited trim, with its leather seating surfaces, ambient LED lighting, and digital driver information display.

This year, the mid-range SEL trim gains the larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation.

Occupant space is generous up front, adequate behind. An adult of average size should be happy enough, but the Honda Accord Hybrid is kinder to rear passengers. Trunk space of 16 cubic feet is respectable for the class, and it’s the same size as the non-hybrid Sonata — so no compromise was required to accommodate the extra hardware. The rear seats of the Sonata Hybrid also split and fold in 60/40 fashion for a little extra cargo-carrying flexibility.

To anyone who didn’t get as far as spotting the Hyundai badge, the 2023 Sonata Hybrid sedan might easily be mistaken for a luxury car. It’s an upscale look, shunning the timidity that tends to afflict some mainstream cars.

These sleek looks also make aerodynamic sense. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is as wind-cheating as a Toyota Prius.

One of the few changes this year is the Limited trim’s solar panel being discontinued and replaced by a panoramic sunroof. It was a nice idea, but it didn’t improve fuel economy.

1. Blue Link
With every new Sonata Hybrid sedan, Hyundai offers a free 3-year subscription of connected services such as automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, maintenance alerts, remote lock/unlock/start/climate settings, and stolen vehicle recovery/shutdown.

2. Hyundai Digital Key
Several drivers can access the same Sonata Hybrid sedan using a smartphone app (with Android devices) or a key card. This is standard equipment at the SEL trim level.

3. Wireless phone charging
A great extra convenience feature in the SEL model — which is generally more recommendable than the Blue trim, as long as buyers don’t mind the slight drop in fuel economy.

4. Digital driver information display
Only the Limited trim comes with this 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster. It’s nicely high-tech though, and shows real-time images from the Blind-Spot View Monitor (also exclusive to Limited trim), enhancing the usual blind-spot monitoring system.

5. Surround View Monitor
A 360-degree view of what’s going on around the 2023 Sonata Hybrid provides an extra layer of reassurance when negotiating tight spaces. This is standard with the Limited trim.

6. Remote Smart Parking Assist
Drivers can stand outside and inch their 2023 Sonata Hybrid into or out of a parking space using remote control. It’s another bell (or whistle?) that comes with the Limited trim.

On the combustion side of the 2023 Sonata Hybrid’s drivetrain is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine running on regular gasoline. This is paired with an electric motor energized by a lithium-ion polymer battery pack.

Together, they send 192 horsepower solely to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. That’s not as much muscle as hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry enjoy.

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine
150 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
139 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
51 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque
Total system output: 192 horsepower
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 50/54 mpg (Blue), 45/51 mpg (SEL, Limited)

Outstanding Warranty

The new-car warranty for the 2023 Sonata Hybrid is 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles — this includes the hybrid battery pack.