Hyundai Sonata upgrades offer appealing look, efficiency

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The 2020 Hyundai Sonata features an attractive new design and efficiency of up to 54 mpg in the hybrid. Get to know this stylish vehicle soon at any Earnhardt Auto Centers location, including four Hyundai-specific dealerships. You’ll like what you see!

Hyundai “knocked it out of the park” with the latest Sonata, says a review in Cnet. The article touts the Sonata’s design, comfortable interior and “impressive” onboard technology.

Photo credit: Hyundai USA

But class-leading fuel economy is a big perk, says Cnet. The EPA estimates that the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid should achieve 50 mpg in the city, 54 mpg on the highway and 52 mpg combined in the most efficient Blue trim level. The Sonata’s SEL or Limited trim levels offer 47 city, 51 highway and 47 combined, according to the EPA.

A test drive by Cnet notes that once the Sonata is up to speed, it cruises under electric power. “The electric motor has enough oomph to keep the Sonata moving,” notes the reviewer. The Sonata Hybrid is powered by Hyundai’s 2.0-liter Smartstream I4 engine, which provides 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. A 56-kilowatt lithium-ion battery and electric motor add 51 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

Photo credit: Cars.com

According to Hyundai, the hybrid provides a total system output of 192 horsepower. Active Shift Control technology makes gear changes quicker and easier. The gas-only version of the Sonata offers 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque from a 1.6-liter turbo I4 engine.

Photo credit: Motor 1

Both the hybrid and regular models of the Sonata come with a suite of safety features. Forward-collision warning, blind-spot assistance, rear cross-traffic assist, lane-keeping assist and full-speed adaptive cruise control are all standard. You can add Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assistant on the Sonata Hybrid Limited. This pairs the adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering function, making long drives easier, notes Cnet.

Photo courtesy of Earnhardt Auto Centers Facebook

Other cool features of the Sonata Hybrid include a hands-free trunk, wireless charging and the Hyundai Digital Key, which lets you unlock, start and drive the car without a key, Cnet says. This feature currently only works with Android phones.

The Blue and SEL Sonata models come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, according to Cnet. Upgrade to the Limited trim for a 10.2-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

Photo courtesy of Earnhardt Auto Centers Facebook

Earnhardt Hyundai dealerships are located around the Valley in Avondale, Gilbert, Scottsdale and Surprise. Visit one soon to learn more about the Hyundai Sonata hybrid. Or shop online anytime!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.