Hot and hybrid, Hyundai Sonata steps up its game

This review first appeared in the October 2020 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – It's not every day that one gets excited about a hybrid sedan with around 200 horsepower capability.

But Hyundai manages to pull it off and get the heart racing with its 2020 Sonata Hybrid Limited model.

Maybe I was set up by the Sonata brand in general.

Over the years, I've recommended the Sonata to numerous folks as it's a nearly perfect choice in the crowded midsize sedan segment.  Yes, I've recommended the Sonata multiple times over the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.

Why?  Because the Sonata typically has more standard features for a more-affordable price, has proven reliability and exceptional warranties.

Apparently, I'm not alone.  The latest edition of Motor Trend magazine rates the Sonata ahead of such heavies as the Camry, the Mazda6 and the Nissan Altima.

The tested Sonata Hybrid Limited had all the trimmings, and more -- 45 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, for example -- priced at $36,430.

Or maybe it was the tester's stunning "Calypso Red" paint job that turned my head.  It was topped off by a curved spoiler at the back end, a piece of hardware that included eye-catching, raised surface cuts.

I guarantee you that my take on this hybrid model was influenced by the 17-inch alloy wheels, with one of the most attractive designs I've encountered in years.

How to describe it?  I think I'd call it a bundle of sleek throwing knives radiating out from a center vortex. Super cool-looking.

But in the end, performance counts.  And this hybrid Sonata had it.

Off-the-line starts were OK, but performance on the fly was surprisingly robust.  Response was instantaneous on the freeway, something I'm not used to getting in a hybrid model.

I was able to dart and slash, as needed, blasting out of harm's way with just a quick hit on the accelerator.  That's nice work if you can get it, especially knowing that you're still getting somewhere around 50 miles per gallon when you're making aggressive moves.

So, prospective Sonata purchasers have a decision to make.

Like other popular models with hybrid power systems, Hyundai's Sonata costs some extra dough due to the hybrid technology.  Obviously, over time, you get paid back by fewer trips to the gas pumps.

Or you could pay $10,000 to $12,000 less for a more modestly-equipped, classic four-cylinder Sonata that gets a very nice 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

The choice is yours.  I'm just saying that, if you are a hybrid fan, and also like sporty styling and on-the-fly excellence, this Sonata Hybrid Limited is worth a good look.