Before the end of this year, Hyundai will put its first hybrid on the market. As we�"ve reported, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid represents another compelling high-mpg mid-size sedan for hybrid shoppers. The gas-electric Sonata stacks up against the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. In fact, Automotive News today claimed, �SA hybrid variant is the cost of entry in the mid-sized sedan segment these days.⬝ We would have been shocked to see this statement even one year ago.
The most important information for those considering the Sonata hybrid is not yet available: Price. Autoweek is guessing mid-$20,000s. That matches speculation from Edmunds, which says Hyundai will try to will undercut the Toyota Camry Hybrid and offer a price of $24,900. Automobile magazine�"s guess is $27,000.
The Fusion Hybrid and Sonata Hybrid both average about 39 MPG�with the Fusion getting slightly better mileage in the city, and the Sonata emphasizing highway efficiency. The Camry MPG stats are 33/34.
Hyundai predicts 5 percent to 7 percent of Sonatas sold will be hybrids, which means about 15,000 units a year. Right now, there is a capacity for 35,000 Sonata hybrids a year to supply the U.S. and Korean markets.
How Does It Drive?
There's no confirmed price tag, but we do have new information in the form of first driving experiences by auto journalists at the Namyang Proving Ground in South Korea. Here are a few highlights:
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
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