When Hyundai introduced the Sonata Turbo at home in South Korea at the end of March, the stylish sedan was presented alongside the Sonata Hybrid at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show. Now, the rest of the world gets to learn about the electrified version and its party piece – the solar roof. The newly developed system is making its debut and charges the battery pack to offer an additional 808 miles (1,300 kilometers) of travel distance annually, provided it’s charged for six hours a day.
It’s not the only feature separating the Hybrid from the conventionally powered Sonata as it also boasts what the automaker refers to as Active Shift Control. ASC is making its debut in a Hyundai and its job is to “apply new control logic software” to the hybrid control unit. The latter is then tasked to align the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission, resulting in a reduction of gear shift times of 30%. Consequently, this improves performance, but it also boosts fuel economy and increases durability since frictions during a gear shift are reduced compared to a conventional setup.
Gallery: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The internal combustion engine is a four-cylinder 2.0-liter gasoline unit from the “Smartstream” family producing 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 188 Newton-meters (139 pound-feet) of torque. As for the electric motor, it’s good for 51 hp (38 kW) and 250 Nm (151 lb-ft). Combining the ICE with the electric motor results in a total output of 192 hp channeled to the wheels through a six-speed hybrid automatic transmission.
According to Hyundai, the thrifty Sonata Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 20.1 kilometers per liter, which works out to 4.97 liters / 100 km or the equivalent of 47.3 miles per gallon when the car is running on 16-inch wheels. Opt for the larger 17-inch set and fuel economy drops slightly to 19.1 km/l or (5.23 liters / 100 km or 45 mpg).
More Sonata derivatives are in the pipeline as a spicy N Line model has already been announced and it will have more than 275 horsepower. In addition, Hyundai has promised some “dramatically different variants,” for the eighth-generation sedan, so the new Sonata has an interesting future up ahead.
All You Need To Know About The New Sonata:
Hyundai Motor’s Sonata Hybrid Makes Global Debut
Hybrid model boasts differentiated design including cross hole cascading grille and rear spoiler
• Solar roof system increases travel distance while preventing battery discharge
• The first application of ASC technology in\creases shift time by 30% enhancing driving experience and fuel economy
SEOUL, July 22, 2019 – Hyundai Motor launched Sonata Hybrid equipped with world’s first Active Shift Control (ASC) technology and solar roof system.
The Sonata hybrid boasts hybrid exclusive design with enhanced dynamic elements. The hybrid model is equipped with unique characterizing cross hole cascading grille, rear spoiler, and alloy wheel which not only accentuate the look and feel of an eco-friendly vehicle but also provide fine-tuned aerodynamics.
Hyundai Motor’s solar roof system makes its debut on the Sonata Hybrid. The system recharges the battery to increase travel distance while preventing unnecessary battery discharge. The solar roof system, with 6 hours of daily charging, is expected to increase travel distance by an extra 1,300km annually.
Hyundai also applied world first ASC technology to improve the dynamic driving experience and fuel economy of the vehicle.
ASC applies new control logic software to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU), which then controls the electric motor to align the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission, ultimately reducing gear shift time by 30%.
With the synchronization, ASC not only improves hybrid vehicle’s acceleration performance and fuel economy, but also durability of the transmission by minimizing friction during a gear shift.
Sonata is equipped with Smartstream G2.0 GDi HEV engine and 6-speed hybrid transmission. The engine’s power output is 152ps and maximum torque is 19.2kgf·m. The vehicle’s electric motor delivers power output of 38kw and maximum torque of 205 Nm. Combined system power output is 195ps and vehicle also boasts combined fuel economy of 20.1km/l.
Continuing from Sonata, the hybrid has latest high tech convenience features such as Digital Key.
Digital Key
Continuing to promote the latest advances in technology, the new Sonata supports a ‘Digital Key’ function via a dedicated smartphone app. Digital Key utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which exhibits a high level of security. The NFC wireless data communication takes place only when the device and the reader are placed several centimeters apart.
Hyundai’s Digital Key can also control selected vehicle systems remotely via smartphone. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, users can lock and unlock the vehicle, activate the alarm and even start the engine.
The level of access to different vehicle functions can be tailored to each user, for a defined period. The vehicle owner can preset the duration of vehicle use or limit the use to only certain features when renting the vehicle.
Sonata Hybrid also has onboard array of ADAS features including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane Follow Assist.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Sonata is fitted with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) which is capable of pedestrian detection, an advanced active safety feature that alerts drivers to emergency situations, and braking autonomously if required. Using front radar and front view camera sensors, FCA operates in three stages. Initially warning the driver visually and acoustically, it assesses the nature of the collision danger and can apply increasing amounts of braking force to avoid a collision or minimize damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system is activated when a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist is sensed in front of the car.
Lane Follow Assist
Lane Follow Assist automatically adjusts steering to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane of travel. LFA can keep the vehicle centered at speeds between 0 and 145 kilometers per hour on both highways and city streets.
Technical Specification
| Length (mm) | 4,900 | |
| Width (mm) | 1,860 | |
| Height (mm) | 1,445 | |
| Wheel Base (mm) | 2,840 | |
| Engine | Smartstream G2.0 GDi HEV | |
| Transmission | 6-speed hybrid automatic transmission | |
| Combined Fuel Economy (km/l) | 20.1 (16inch) 19.1 (17inch) | |
| Displacement (cc) | 1,999 | |
| Engine | Max. Power Output (ps) | 152 |
| Max. Torque (kgf·m) | 19.2 | |
| Motor | Max. Power Output (kw) | 38 |
| Max. Torque (N·m) | 205 | |
| System Power Output (ps) | 195 | |
| Trunk Space (ℓ, VDA) | 510 | |
＊All features mentioned above, including fuel economy are of model sold in the Korean Market.
Features and specification may vary by the market.