It’s 2020, and the focus on green energy is bigger than ever. With global attention on concerns over global warming, the auto industry has come under major scrutiny. Most sources point to the auto industry as the leading contributor to greenhouse gases. As such, auto manufacturers have had to adapt to cater to customer demands and in some cases, comply with state or federal law.

Throughout the industry, there have been massive changes to how cars are designed and their carbon footprint. But some manufacturers have adapted quicker than others. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is set to debut this spring, and it’s about to cross an important benchmark. 

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s past performance numbers

It wasn’t long ago that the only reason consumers cared about miles per gallon was the rising gas prices. Now, it’s less about the price of gas and more about the state of our planet. Once too expensive for the average consumer, hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more affordable.

Hyundai released its first hybrid Sonata model in 2011. The Sonata Hybrid was the first hybrid for the manufacturer. At its release, the Sonata Hybrid had a measly combined 36 MPG, putting it near the bottom of the pack when it came to hybrid fuel efficiency. Over the years, the Sonata has slowly crept closer to the 40 MPG mark. Meanwhile, similar-sized vehicles have been around 50 MPG for quite some time now. 

A change is on the horizon

Since its release, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has struggled to keep up with the competition. But with the 2020 model set to be released this spring, things are finally about to change. According to MotorTrend, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will have an estimated fuel economy of up to 54 miles per gallon. This will be the first time in the model’s history that it will cross the 50 MPG benchmark.

The exact mileage will vary, depending on what model you choose. While most trims will have combined mileage efficiency of 47 MPG, the eco-friendly Blue model can get a combined 52 MPG. 

The new Sonata Hybrid features a whole lot of fun new features. The car’s solar sunroof will add an extra two miles of charge per day. The vehicle also features a 10.25-inch touch screen, digital key, and loads of safety features including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot avoidance technology, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist. 

How the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid stacks up

So just where does the Sonata stand compared to other similarly sized vehicles in its class? Actually, much better than it ever has. The latest Honda Accord non-hybrid model performs far below the Sonata, coming in at just 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. The Civic performs slightly better with 31 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. 

Toyota comes in much better than Honda for its models. The Prius is a top performer like usual, with an impressive 58 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway. It provides 51 MPG city and 53 MPG highway for its base model and 44 MPG city and 47 MPG highway in the upper trims. 

But there’s another Hyundai car that completely blows away the competition. The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq gets a combined 58 miles per gallon. The Ioniq comes with three powertrain options and performs similarly to the Prius. With an MSRP under $20,000, the Ioniq is certainly affordable. 

Hyundai has been upping its game lately when it comes to fuel efficiency and only promises to get better.