2025 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid - A good choice for a family sedan

 

Hyundai has come a long way since its start. There is no Hyundai is a bargain basement car anymore. Every single model stands shoulder to shoulder with its competition. Case in point is the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid.

In the past many Hyundai models were either copy cats or looked like they were designed by committee. No more. This Sonata has a pleasing, modern, slightly edgy style. 

The Sonata is essentially the same size as a Honda Accord. Not too big, not too small. There is seating for five, and 15.6 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. The only complaint I have about the outside is the color - Transmission Blue (?) - which I think is close to Battleship Gray. I would choose a different color. 

On the inside you can have gray (it's almost white), black, or camel depending on the exterior color. No white for me.

Did I say there was seating for five? Like most vehicles the middle of the rear seat is not for adults. Put the armrest down and just consider it a 4-seater.

Photo courtesy Hyundai

The instrument panel is excellent - two round gauges. The rest of the screen to the right is meh. What you see seems to be the default (maybe there's a way to change it, I don't know). I listen to music, and I like to see what's playing displayed. You can get there but driver's choice should be the default in my world.

Then there is the shifter. Why? Do you see the rectangular thing sticking out from the steering column right side? That's the shift lever. Another counterintuitive gizmo. To go forward twist it up, for reverse twist down, and to engage Park push in on the end. My brain would often twist it down to go forward. A plea to all auto makers - STOP TRYING TO REINVENT THINGS THAT WORK!

I have decided that I favor hybrids over EVs. Driving a hybrid is just like driving a gas engine vehicle only better. Fuel economy is the whole point, and emissions are lower (zero tailpipe emissions around town are possible). 

The Sonata Hybrid has a 150-h.p., 2.0-liter gas engine combined with an electric motor. Total output is 192-h.p. Power goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic. The EPA economy rating is 44-mpg city, and 51-mpg highway. 

I liked the Sonata Hybrid despite my few complaints. It drove well, was comfortable, and fuel economy is very good. In a way it's too bad I drove it soon after I drove one of its main competitors, the Accord Hybrid. I would say the Accord was a smidgen more to my liking.

It's hard to compare prices model to model. The 2025 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid is priced competitively, maybe a tad less than its competitors. As tested it was $37,700. The least expensive 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the SE, lists for $31,250. Prices are from https://www.hyundaiusa.com/ at the time of publication.