Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Name: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Brand: Hyundai

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

CR's Take

The midsized Sonata ranks among the better family sedans, with a comfortable ride and a well-finished cabin. But the Hybrid is a far cry from the conventional Sonata. Although it gets better fuel economy than its nonhybrid doppelganger, the trade-off in drivability, refinement, and braking performance is too high. The car stumbles and hesitates as it makes the transition from electric to gas power and sometimes shakes and vibrates.

2011 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Hyundai Sonata Hy...

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Malibu

Ford Fusion

Honda Accord

Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai Sonata

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

2011 Midsized cars Ratings

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

$4,175 - $5,100

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Chevrolet Malibu

$3,575 - $4,900

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Chrysler 200

$3,200 - $4,550

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Dodge Avenger

$3,275 - $3,800

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Ford Fusion

$4,125 - $5,150

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Honda Accord

$6,475 - $7,300

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Hyundai Genesis

$5,600 - $5,800

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Hyundai Sonata

$4,175 - $5,100

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Kia Optima

$4,300 - $5,100

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Mazda 6

$4,650 - $5,275

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Mercury Milan

$3,175 - $5,925

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Mitsubishi Galant

$3,425 - $3,775

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Nissan Altima

$3,825 - $4,950

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Subaru Legacy

$4,100 - $6,675

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Suzuki Kizashi

$3,150 - $3,500

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Toyota Camry

$5,575 - $7,025

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

$5,575 - $7,025

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2011 Volkswagen CC

$3,375 - $4,625

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Midsized cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2.4-liter 4 hybrid (206 hp)

6-speed automatic

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned Sonata has a sleek, coupe-like silhouette. The 190-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid got an excellent 44 mpg in our testing but delivered rough shifts from its six-speed transmission. The standard 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder is coupled to an eight-speed automatic provides unobtrusive, linear power, and 31 mpg overall. The uplevel 180-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine provides readily available power at lower revs. Handling is responsive, but the ride is rather stiff. Rear seat room is decent, although the low stance compromises access. The modern cabin is marred by a counterintuitive push-button gear selector. An 8-inch touch screen came standard until the 2024 model year and is easy to use. A larger 12.3-inch screen became standard beginning with 2024. Heated and cooled front seats are optional, among other upscale features. Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assistance.

2016-2019

2016 Redesign Year

These Sonata models may be less stylish than the previous generation but it remains a roomy, comfortable riding sedan with easy to use controls. The rear seat is particularly generous. Handling isn't particularly engaging, but secure. Most versions have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic that make for an unobtrusive powertrain. We got 28 mpg overall. High end versions get a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo that makes the car quicker and quieter. The hybrid version has the same virtues, but with the added initial boost of the electric drive. Unlike other hybrids, it has a conventional automatic transmission rather than a continuously variable one, giving the car a more natural feel. We got an impressive 39 mpg with it.

2011-2015

2011 Redesign Year

The midsized Sonata ranks among the best family sedans, with a comfortable ride and a well-finished cabin. The standard powertrain is a 200-hp four-cylinder mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. We got an impressive 27 mpg with the automatic. Top-level models get a quicker and stronger 274-hp, four-cylinder turbo that returns 25 mpg overall. It has a firmer ride, but it is still comfortable, and handling for both versions is responsive. However, road noise is evident in both. Rear-seat room and visibility are decent despite the swoopy styling, but rear-seat access is compromised. The cabin is comfortable, and controls are easy to see and to reach. The Hybrid gets 33 mpg overall, but compromises drivability, refinement, and braking.