LOOKS

Right off the bat, from the first glance you take at the Sonata hybrid, it comes across as more bold and daring than rival hybrids’ designs.

My test vehicle featured an attractive Aero Silver paint color, distinctive wheel designs and grille, a light bar up front and in the rear. 

I also prefer the midsize sedan offerings to compacts, as they allow for more leg and head room for all passengers, increasing overall comfort.

Wheels on the Sonata hybrid come in at 17 inches, but if you opt for the non-hybrid version, options range from 16 to 19 inches. The Sonata hybrid features LED lighting with automatic headlamp control, a panoramic sunroof, and heated side mirrors. It’s a stylish vehicle by anyone’s standard.

Moving inside, you’ll find a vehicle that is spacious and seats 5 comfortably and offers solid leg room. The inside is not luxury level, but is full of quality materials that are more upscale than you might expect. The tech looks sharp as well, and there is quality trim.

Highlights include leather-trimmed seats, heated & ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, power front seats, dual automatic temperature control, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat with armrest, and rear sunshade.

Cargo space in the trunk is a respectable 16 cubic feet. And there’s a helpful amount of small storage spots and cup holders in the center console and throughout the vehicle.


HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine, including an electric motor, and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

This system combines to deliver 192 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

The Sonata hybrid comes with front-wheel drive only, but the nonhybrid version also offered in all-wheel drive.

Non-hybrid engines offered include a base 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 181 pound-feet; and a N Line edition featuring a turbo engine with 290 hp and 311 pound-feet.

The Sonata hybrid delivers a smooth and comfortable ride, but is not a hot rod. Going from 0 to 60 mph will take you over 8 seconds. But with the fuel economy it delivers, you will be able to forgive that. For those who are speed demons, they should skip the hybrid and choose the N Line engine, which will get you moving much faster.

Driving the Sonata hybrid is a smooth experience both in a straight line and in the curves. It’s responsive to driver input, and offers a laid-back but enjoyable ride.

Overall, it was one of the more solid hybrid driving experiences you will find in this size of vehicle. Drive modes offered include Eco, Sport and My Drive — with Sport being the most fun of course.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Tech is another big win in the 2025 Hyundai Sonata hybrid. The infotainment system responded accurately to voice commands, with almost no hiccups as it received verbal prompts for music, phone calls, and navigation.
The touchscreen controls on the 12.3-inch center screen are also easy to master, but I was glad to also see physical dials for volume and radio channels, something that many other vehicles are unfortunately starting to drop.

All in all, the tech setup in the Sonata is high-tech, yet simple to master at the same time, and most tech features come standard.

In addition to the 12.3-inch screen in the center, there is another 12.3-inch digital display in front of the driver showing key gauges, and the two screens are part of one big glass unit. You can also connect  your phone to the system wirelessly for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

The Sonata also features a Bose Premium Audio system with 12 speakers, wireless phone charger, satellite radio with 90-day trial, multiple USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and Bluelink Connected Services (including remote start, remote lock/unlock, and diagnostics via an app).

Moving on to safety, the Sonata hybrid delivers a 5-star government safety rating, and features a bevy of features to keep you and your passengers safe.

The Sonata’s Highway Drive Assist system uses the Lane Keeping and Smart Cruise Control features to keep the vehicle steered in the right direction without driver input. The large, clear Surround View Monitor system was extra helpful when maneuvering in tight parking situations, and the various warning systems were helpful warnings when vehicles came into the Sonata’s vicinity.

Among the key safety features on the Sonata are:

— Blind-Spot Collision Warning (and the Sonata will steer itself back into its the proper lane if needed to avoid a collision)
— Rear cross-traffic warning (senses if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your path as you reverse)
— Rear automatic braking (brakes if rear collision is imminent)
— Lane keeping system
— Adaptive cruise control (maintains distance to vehicle ahead)
— Forward collision warning with automatic braking (alerts to an impending collision, brakes itself if needed)

A Head-Up Display is also offered to help keep your eyes on the road.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2025 Hyundai Sonata hybrid are 44 city/51 highway/47 combined.

These numbers are roughly on par with the Accord hybrid, and slightly behind the Camry hybrid’s fuel mileage.

Nonhybrid versions of the Sonata range from 27 to 32 combined mpg depending on the trim you choose, so the jump to the hybrid’s fuel efficiency is quite significant.

In my real-world testing, I was able to earn numbers in the mid-40s, so the numbers listed turned out to be pretty accurate. And even if you like to use Sport mode more often than not, you’ll still likely to land around 40 mpg.

This strong fuel economy will no doubt be one of the key reasons that people choose to take home a Sonata hybrid.


PRICE

The 2025 Sonata hybrid that I tested was priced at $38,810; and its base price of the hybrid starts about $31K.

The Sonata hybrid comes in two trim levels, SEL and Limited.
And the nonhybrid version of the Sonata comes in SE SEL, SEL Convenience and N LIne trims, and starts around $28K.

Opting for the hybrid will cost you a bit more up front, but you should quickly recoup that cost with the fuel savings.

Compared to others in the segment, the pricing of the Sonata hybrid is slightly higher than the Toyota Camry hybrid, but also a bit less than the Honda Accord hybrid.

There are also Hyundai’s industry leading warranties to consider, as they offer:

— 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Warranty
— 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty
— 10-year/100,000-mile Hybrid System Components Warranty
— 3-year/36,000-mile Complimentary Maintenance
— 5-year/Unlimited-mile Roadside Assistance  

BOTTOM LINE

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata hybrid features a stylish design, pleasant ride, roomy interior, and well-designed tech features, which make it a solid choice for hybrid sedan buyers.

Its larger size also makes it a preferred choice for hybrid buyers who want to go bigger than compact options like the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla hybrids.

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AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews or on TikTok at @AutoTechReviews.. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu