2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review
- High fuel economy
- Comfortable ride quality
- Offers lots of safety and technology features
- Enjoyable and easy to drive
- Lower-quality interior materials than some rivals
- Road and wind noise is a bit elevated
- No significant changes for 2021
- Part of the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020
A midsize hybrid family sedan, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid combines high style with high technology. Plus, the car is an incredible value, and not just from price and efficiency perspectives. From generous warranty coverage and free scheduled maintenance to a lengthy trial period to the company's Blue Link remote connected services, the Sonata Hybrid makes a case for itself that the left hemisphere of your brain cannot refute.
After an abbreviated 2020 model year, for which it was redesigned, the 2021 Sonata Hybrid rolls into the new year without any changes. What's different is the competitive landscape. With the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Kia Optima Hybrid discontinued, this Hyundai's only remaining direct competitors include the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, against which it acquits itself well. Interested? Check our Expert Rating to get our in-depth take on the 2021 Sonata Hybrid.
Our verdict | |
The Sonata Hybrid grabs your attention with distinctive styling and cool features such as an available solar panel roof. It's more efficient than its predecessor and packed with tons of attractive technology. Add in a pleasing driving experience, abundant comfort and a spacious cabin, and you've got one of the best hybrid sedans available. | |
How does the Sonata Hybrid drive? | |
The Sonata Hybrid is adequate from a performance perspective. Acceleration feels good off the line but tapers off once you're rolling. Essentially, it feels zippy around town but may take some planning to pass cars at freeway speeds. In Edmunds testing, our Sonata Hybrid test car covered 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds. That's about as quick as the Camry Hybrid but a little slower than the Honda Accord Hybrid. Around turns, the Sonata Hybrid feels balanced and controlled. It's also easy to drive around town. The six-speed automatic transmission is quicker to downshift than the continuously variable transmissions in the Accord Hybrid and Camry Hybrid. In general, the Sonata Hybrid drives a lot like a regular car, which could be a high point for some buyers. The brakes also feel pretty natural without any of the hybrid weirdness that can stem from blending regenerative and regular braking processes. | |
How comfortable is the Sonata Hybrid? | |
The Sonata Hybrid is a pretty comfortable car, but it isn't perfect. The front seats have a nice shape to them, but we found the padding a bit stiff, which can reduce your comfort on long trips. The outboard rear seats are nice and cushy, but the middle seat is stiff and uncomfortable. Ride comfort is a high point and strikes a good balance between being compliant and controlled. The Sonata Hybrid's suspension absorbs impacts well without being overly floaty or soft when you take on curvy roads. The climate control system blows strong and cold at its max and is very effective at regulating cabin temperature in auto mode. Surprisingly, road and wind noise is higher than average. It's not bothersome or loud, but you know that it's there. There's some engine noise at freeway speeds as well. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Sonata Hybrid's interior is intuitive to learn. The center stack controls are easily reachable for both driver and front passenger. The sharp and responsive 10.25-inch infotainment screen (in the SEL trim level) is also easy to read and use. There's plenty of interior room for front occupants, and rear-seat legroom is among the best in the segment. Most drivers will find that it is easy to settle into a comfortable driving position due to the decent range of adjustments that come from the seat and steering wheel. Visibility is good to the front and sides. But rear visibility is a little impeded because of the thick rear window pillars, sloping rear roofline and high rear deck. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The Sonata Hybrid is loaded with tech and everything works pretty well. It leads the segment in infotainment screen size and response. It also has a segment-first solar panel roof that charges the hybrid battery when the car's moving or parked. Smartphone pairing and integration are excellent for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and they work with the wide-screen format. The screen is also great when using the available surround-view camera system while parking. The voice controls work well with natural speech commands for radio, navigation and phone. The advanced driving aids suite is comprehensive, and the aids work well in concert. The warning sensors can be sensitive but never annoying. The instrument panel features unique sideview cameras when merging into the left or right lane. | |
How’s the storage? | |
There's a good amount of storage in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. It's easy to load things into the cargo area. The trunk is deep and broad, has a wide opening, and the hybrid battery doesn't intrude too much. Having rear-seat access levers in the cargo area is a plus. Inside, there's plenty of storage to keep small items. The center console area alone has plenty of spaces for multiple phones, electronic passes and other items. The console itself is about 5.5 inches deep, and the cupholders are sizable enough for larger cups and bottles. As for installing child safety seats, there's plenty of room in the rear for even a rear-facing seat. The lower car seat anchors are somewhat buried in the upholstery, so installation can be a little tedious. | |
How economical is the Sonata Hybrid? | |
The Sonata Hybrid SEL, our test car, has an EPA estimate of 47 mpg (45 city/51 highway). That's right about what the other top-performing midsize hybrid sedans get. A trim-matching Camry XLE is rated at 46 mpg, while the Accord is at 48 mpg. All comparable. We averaged 47.1 mpg during our mixed-driving evaluation route, which indicates the EPA's estimates seem to be spot-on. Hyundai also offers an optional solar panel for the Sonata Hybrid. It covers the length of the roof between the windshield and the rear glass. It directly charges both the 12-volt battery and hybrid battery pack, and Hyundai says the solar panel can potentially power about 2 miles of extra driving per day. Toyota offered a solar roof on the Prius in the early part of the last decade, so it's not an all-new idea, but the Prius' panel could only power the climate control system. | |
Is the Sonata Hybrid a good value? | |
The Sonata Hybrid delivers on Hyundai's strong value proposition, giving you a lot of features for your money. The Limited trim level, which is the model we tested, validates its top-level price with exclusive features such as a solar panel roof and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Warranty coverage is also fantastic, as Hyundai provides a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-year powertrain warranty. The interior and exterior build quality looks pretty good too. The assembly is precise, though Honda and Mazda manage to do interiors a bit nicer. Perhaps it's the dominant gray interior texturing that still looks a little cheap. | |
Wildcard | |
Whether you enjoy squeezing the most miles from every gallon of gasoline or having a hybrid that's enjoyable to drive on curvier roads, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a willing partner. It's big on visual appeal too. It looks sporty, sophisticated and futuristic at the same time. It's a head-turner in a fairly vanilla segment. | |
Which Sonata Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a five-passenger midsize sedan that is available in three trim levels: Blue, SEL and Limited.
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid pricing
in Ashburn, VA
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Trending topics in reviews
- safety
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- acceleration
- technology
- road noise
Most helpful consumer reviews
Only had this vehicle for 2 weeks and purchased it because of its safety reviews and many safety features. I traded from a Jeep Renegade to this and this handles the road better than the Jeep. The issue I'm having is poor customer service from Hyundai and from the dealership. There's a noise that comes on at around 50mph plus my wife says it's from the front left-hand side I'm hearing it from there as well as from the rear. The other issue is with Blue Link, Hyundai does not seem able to assist or maybe they are overwhelmed, also the dealership is unable to assist as they say it's too new and they don't know enough in order to assist. The dealership is Weisner in Conroe Texas, they appear to be very disorganized and not interested in any form of Customer Service.
Features & Specs
| Limited 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $35,300 |
| MPG | 45 city / 51 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Horsepower | 192 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Blue 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $27,750 |
| MPG | 50 city / 54 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Horsepower | 192 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| SEL 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,900 |
| MPG | 45 city / 51 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Horsepower | 192 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Sonata Hybrid safety features:
- Smart Cruise Control
- Maintains a driver-selectable distance between the Sonata and the car in front.
- Surround View Monitor
- Provides a bird's-eye view of the car for ultimate parking precision.
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Warns if a vehicle is lurking in your blind spot and will intervene if you attempt to move into that occupied lane.
NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4 / 5 |
| Driver | 4 / 5 |
| Passenger | 5 / 5 |
| Side Crash Rating | Rating |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Side Barrier Rating | Rating |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Driver | 5 / 5 |
| Passenger | 5 / 5 |
| Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings | Rating |
| Front Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Back Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Rollover | Rating |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 |
| Dynamic Test Result | No Tip |
| Risk Of Rollover | 9.7% |
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs. the competition
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs. Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord Hybrid offers several benefits over the Sonata Hybrid, including more power, a roomier back seat and a bigger trunk. We've previously expressed displeasure with the Accord Hybrid's noisy and uneven powertrain, but for 2021 Honda says it's taken steps to improve it. Otherwise, the Sonata Hybrid delivers better value and a higher level of technology in comparison to the Accord Hybrid.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs. Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Aside from offering a superior battery warranty and a roomier interior, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid struggles to match the Sonata Hybrid when it comes to value, especially given the car's lofty pricing. For what the Avalon Hybrid XLE costs without any options, you can instead choose a loaded Sonata Hybrid Limited with every available accessory. Unless you really need the passenger space, the Sonata is the best choice between the two.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid
Long established as a reliable, efficient, safe and affordable hybrid midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry Hybrid lineup expands for the 2021 model year to include the sporty and upscale XSE trim. Toyota also enhances the car's standard driving assistance tech for the new model year and reduces prices to make it a better value. Choosing between the Sonata and Camry comes down to personal preference.
FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:
- No significant changes for 2021
- Part of the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020
Is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
The least-expensive 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $27,750.
Other versions include:
- Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $35,300
- Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $27,750
- SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $29,900
What are the different models of Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
More about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Overview
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is offered in the following submodels: Sonata Hybrid Sedan. Available styles include Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A), Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A), and SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A).
What do people think of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2021 Sonata Hybrid 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2021 Sonata Hybrid.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2021 Sonata Hybrid featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $36,450. The average price paid for a new 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is trending $4,064 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $4,064 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $32,386.
The average savings for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is 11.1% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 17 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $31,050. The average price paid for a new 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is trending $3,743 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3,743 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $27,308.
The average savings for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is 12.1% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 11 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $28,900. The average price paid for a new 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is trending $3,630 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3,630 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $25,270.
The average savings for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is 12.6% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 16 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Which 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrids are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for sale near. There are currently 139 new 2021 Sonata Hybrids listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $28,900 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $3,663 on a used or CPO 2021 Sonata Hybrid available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrids you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for sale - 6 great deals out of 22 listings starting at $24,246.
Find a new Hyundai for sale - 8 great deals out of 10 listings starting at $8,319.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Hyundai lease specials