The Sonata Hybrid, which has been available here since 2011, is reportedly the second-best-selling gas-electric vehicle in the US, after the Toyota Prius. For 2024 the car was restyled into the eye-catcher shown here. Mechanically, however, there have been no big changes since 2020, when it gained a 35-kilowatt electric motor, up from 30, and a larger lithium-polymer battery, so the combined (gas and electrons) output is still just 192 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. 

 But the 6-speed automatic transmission helps make the most of this modest power, and this latest Sonata Hybrid now has gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel, which activate regenerative braking to help recharge the batteries (which takes place automatically while driving); in Sport mode, the paddles let the driver select gears manually.

 During our week with the Sonata Hybrid, two features especially stood out. First, naturally, its fuel efficiency: On the highway, this spacious, near-luxury four-door sedan squeezed more than 40 miles out of each gallon of gas; it seemed the farther it went, the less gas it consumed (per mile), yet the car never felt like it was working hard. Given the overall lack of power, this is likely thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque. 

 The second standout feature was HDA, Hyundai’s available Highway Driving Assist system, which neatly managed most of a 75-mile trip on Rtes 295 and 17, taking a break only while I piloted the car through Gardiner and across the Kennebec bridge on Route 201.

Even in the fading light of dusk, as long as the road markings were clear the Sonata stayed centered in its lane, arced reliably through even fairly tight corners and behaved well around other vehicles. Only once — coming up behind a car stopping to turn left across oncoming traffic — did it throw in the towel and need my help.

 With two fingers on the wheel, I could sense the computer’s sometimes jerky steering inputs, but these translated into smooth driving and my passenger, the Blind Lady, had no idea that a robot was on duty. On a long trip, whether on the open road or in heavy traffic, this sort of assistance is nearly as helpful as a co-driver.  

Along with HDA, a smartphone/smartwatch remote-control app, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera and numerous other systems, the Sonata Limited is chock-full of comfort, convenience and safety technology. Here’s a rundown of just the driver-assistance features: 

 Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, Blind-spot Collision Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control. 

 Our sample is a 2024 model, but Hyundai says the 2025 version carries over with only minor changes to one trim level. It faces steep competition from the new hybrid-only Toyota Camry, but like virtually every Hyundai the Sonata HEV feels like good value for money. This is especially so for our top-of-the-line Hybrid Limited—very well equipped and comfortable, Scrooge-like on gas, yet only about $38,000, or 10 grand less than the average new car price in the U.S. today.

 Next week: Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid