2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – upgrades for better FC

2013 Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai has released the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in America. It looks identical to its predecessor, but the 2013 model boasts an upgraded Hybrid Blue Drive powertrain for better economy.

The improved architecture optimises electric-only driving by adding a larger capacity 10.5 kW Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG), higher output 35 kW electric motor, a more powerful 47 kW lithium polymer battery pack and an optimised hybrid operating strategy.

These upgrades are paired with a 2.4L Theta II four-cylinder engine that now runs on a more efficient Atkinson cycle and an enhanced transmission to generate 206 total horsepower. All work together for better fuel efficiency, while better kinetic energy recovery and increased charging efficiency allows longer and more frequent running in all-electric mode.

sonata-hybrid-rear

As in previous Sonata Hybrids, the 2013 car features a clutch to decouple the engine from the drivetrain. When in pure electric mode, the Sonata Hybrid can be driven electrically up to 120 km/h.

Despite being more powerful and energy dense, the lithium polymer battery weighs less and takes up less boot space, which is up from 303 to 343 litres.

All the above improvements result in an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 15.3 km/l (36 mpg) city, 17.01 km/l (40 mpg) highway and 16.16 km/l (38 mpg) combined.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Oh my god… The butt has been japanised. NOOOOOOOOO~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 9
    • AVH® on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:26 pm

      Crystal clear tail lamps, well you can say that is a statement if Japanese hybrid. But here is the thing I don’t get, why the American like the looks so much, when it is so unforgivably hideous it is. I don’t know weather is it me alone that share this view but I struggle to find some form of beauty in it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 8
      • The clear tail lights is one of the issue, the second one is the squarish sharp bumper that you see on camry. Where has the fluidic sculpture went? To all car manufacturers, is it a compulsory step to make hybrid cars ugly?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
        • ya la,i kept thnking da same thng..do all hybrid need to be ugly?y ah?sure ugly as hell wheels..headlamp..not just sonata here(sonata used to be beauty) but also prius,insight,civic hybrid..damn laa~

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
        • crank on Feb 23, 2013 at 4:17 pm

          And the front bumper looks awful.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • american on Feb 22, 2013 at 7:13 pm

        well..maybe bcos its hybrid ~ unlike here we ppl buy car bcos of design ~~

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • American like the looks so much? really?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
        • AVH® on Feb 23, 2013 at 11:19 am

          “This has to be the prettiest hybrid I’ve ever seen. The front fascia is so beautiful, it’s a shame you can’t get this look with the regular Sonata” , “Rear lights are so cool. Purdy flower” , “I love this car and the styling”…… Those are some of the Copy+Paste I did from the comment section of an American review of this car (2011 model). I saw another review, saying that Hyundai wanted to differentiate their hybrid from their regular car more than Toyota’s or Ford’s effort. Well, you’ve overdone it.

          But you can get the same power-train the extremely gorgeous Kia Optima K5 which styling did’t change much from the original K5. But in the hybrid world, Toyota is still king, and the Honda Accord PHEV (which also suffers Name’s hybrid ugliness)is the most efficient.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
      • Sam Loo on Feb 25, 2013 at 9:52 am

        AVH, you talk rubbish all the time. My Camry can smoke this car with better FC

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
    • Sam Loo on Feb 22, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      Nothing kimchis can to to improve their RV….

      Trying to make it look Japanese will probably help me, the kimchi used car dealer up the price a bit when selling. Trading in still needs the Hilux and an acoustic room

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 29
    • Petrolhead on Feb 22, 2013 at 11:22 pm

      The title should be revised. “upgrades for better FC but isn’t better for design”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 3
    • Pontiac on Feb 23, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Tiru mazda6

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • ohjju on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    Front look like after thought design, the Designer says ” Opps we forgotten to put the logo here is it the chrome strip+logo just stick on the front!”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • What? just 16km/l fc?…a 520d have better fuel economy & bttr power/driving experience….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Sam Loo (Official) on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    Well, trying to set a higher RV by mimicking the Japanese design~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 16
  • jolly_idiot on Feb 22, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    OMG! I see Peugeot bumper! Copy cat!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • the front looks like an evil whale or sea monster

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Hyundai De La Junk on Feb 22, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    Hopefully not another false fuel claim that got sued & end up paying compensation.
    Anyway 16km/ltr is really nothing to shout about, what with the crystal lamp ? Bros Shop supplying them ?? LOL…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 13
  • Silver on Feb 22, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    OMg this car is hidious… what went through their mind when they design this car…nothing matches.. the front the back .. whats with the crome up front…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • sudonano on Feb 22, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    the back is nice at night. but the front is not.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Sam Loo on Feb 22, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    And kimchis being kimchis, please have the tow truck operator on your speedial should you choose this car.

    Also, 1 year trade in value will be less than 40% of RRP. Be warned

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 19
    • David D on Feb 23, 2013 at 1:31 pm

      Be warned, Sam, that one day, a Hilux may come hitting your Camry by the side. At that point, it’s useless to say ‘RV’, for your incompetent head would strike the Hilux rather than life-saving side airbags. That, then, means the mortuary in the hospital straight. Pathetic. Only thinking about RV, RV, and RV, and that bigoted mind of yours just because you had a bad experience with a Korean car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 5
      • I’d wished if he dead in a accident while driving his Hilux. Then he can talk about RV at hell… not heaven of course.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
  • common lamp – n/a
    crystal clear lamp – hybrid
    smoked lamp – turbo

    not always

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nissan gtr and porche front combine, rear mazda 6. What is this la??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • oh my word… look at the front fascia… what were they thinking??? “oh, everyone liked the new toyobaru… let’s make it’s front just like the toyobaru… it’s hideous…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • nabill on Feb 22, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    didnt thy had this issue in america regarding the EPA where kia/hyundai wer overstating their FC ???
    dont take their estimated FC seriously…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 7
  • Dr Cooper on Feb 23, 2013 at 7:36 am

    What’s with that face ? just make it like ordinary Sonata nobody will complain. Still I like this car and please Hyundai make it for RHD market !!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Viswa Kalainesan on Feb 24, 2013 at 7:07 am

    Why are most of the hybrids ugly? Maybe they are trying to put off hybrid fans :P

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Viswa Kalainesan on Feb 24, 2013 at 7:13 am

    This is why I prefer all European cars… except Citroen & a few Peugeot models…!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
    • harlem on Feb 24, 2013 at 6:11 pm

      so what?u r still a Malaysian!and still in Malaysia?so dont talk big, dumb @$$ ole

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • PauKaya on Feb 24, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    hyundai, y u no put 2.0 engine for tax deduction?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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