What Is the Best Hyundai Hybrid You Might Want to Consider?
Hyundai has come a long way when it comes to producing high-quality vehicles. The brand offers premium EV technology as well. With a lineup of several hybrid versions to choose from, Hyundai is set to become one of the highest-rated automotive companies out there.
What do they offer, as far as hybrids go? Which ones are considered the top three according to MotorTrend? Let’s take a look.
What does Hyundai offer when it comes to hybrids?
Hyundai has an excellent selection of hybrids and plug-in hybrids for those wanting to take advantage of fuel savings, but don’t want to go fully electric quite yet.
Of the vehicles tested by MotorTrend, there’s only one SUV that’s highly rated, and it’s a plug-in version. The 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid is also an SUV but hasn’t received an overall score from the publication as of yet. Also, the Santa Fe PHEV hasn’t been scored either, but the site reports it’s coming soon.
Two sedans made the list, but one of them did not. Both are hybrids, but one is a compact model and the other is a midsize version. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq, with its outstanding fuel economy ratings, hasn’t been scored yet by MotorTrend.
Which of the tested vehicles received high marks?
Which are considered the best Hyundai hybrid vehicles?
The top three hybrid vehicles from MotorTrend’s list include:
3. 2023 Sonata Hybrid
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid scored 8.7 out of 10 possible points. For a midsize vehicle, it gets pretty impressive fuel economy coming from its combination of 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor setup producing 192 hp. In the city, it can get up to 50 mph and 54 mpg when traveling on the highway.
It also has a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, making it a pleasant way to travel long distances. As for the exterior, it doesn’t lack in stylistic design. Rivals, like the Accord and the Camry, it holds it matches them quite well.
2. 2023 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid
The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid has two trim levels to choose from. The base offers an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Limited trim has a 10.3-inch display but requires you to plug in your smartphone. Both models come with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder combined with an electric motor setup and a six-speed automatic transmission.
As for driving range, it allows you to go 33 miles on electric power only. In fuel economy terms, that’s approximately 80 mpge, while the gas engine alone offers 35 mpg. Cargo space is average with the Tucson PHEV. You get 31.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. With the seats folded down, it increases to 66.3 cubic feet of storage. This model earned a score of 8.8 out of 10 points.
1. 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
With a MotorTrend score of 9.4 out of 10, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is the highest-rated Hyundai model available. It comes with one of the best fuel economy ratings in the lineup. Its 1.6-liter Inline-four engine is paired with an electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The base model will get you 53 mpg on city roads and 56 mpg when traveling on the highway. The top-tier Limited trim gets slightly less fuel economy ratings. You can expect 40 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway.
The runner-up hybrid
The one model that didn’t make the top three, but still has a pretty good score is the 2023 Tucson Hybrid, which received an 8.1 out of 10 rating. For a compact hybrid model, it doesn’t get the greatest fuel economy figures, but it does offer a roomy cabin, decent engine power, and plenty of features for the price.
Powering it up is the same 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as other models in the brand’s lineup. This motor produces 226 hp total with the electric motor setup and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. When driving on city roads, the Tucson Hybrid base version can get 38 mpg and 38 mpg on the highway as well (37/36 on other trims).
Hyundai offers plenty of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options in its lineup. The highest-rated on MotorTrend’s website are the Elantra, Tucson PHEV, and Sonata Hybrid. Bringing up the rear in the pack is the Tucson Hybrid, which still scored pretty high as its counterparts.
