Hyundai has made a few changes to their 2018 Sonata PHEV, which follows hot on the heels of the gasoline and Hybrid models, detailed earlier this year. The base model has a starting price of US$ 33,250 in the United States, or US$ 1,350 less than before, while the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Limited is US$ 250 more expensive, at US$ 38,850, without the US$ 885 freight charge.

Both versions of the sedan are using the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 67 hp electric motor, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor is 32 percent more powerful than the one used in the Sonata Hybrid, and takes its juice from a 9.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.


Hyundai claims the updated Sonata PHEV can travel for up to 966 km on a single charge, stating that the battery can be recharged completely in 2 hours and 42 minutes via a 240V Level 2 charging station, or overnight, with the Level 1 charger that equips the car.

The full electric range of the sedan is said to have been improved by a modest 1.6 km, to 45 km. Meanwhile, new features include the addition of bi-function LED headlights with dynamic bending light, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, wireless charging pad for mobile devices, heated steering wheel and a new USB charge port.


As for the higher spec Sonata PHEV Limited, it brings Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, LED headlights with dynamic bending light, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, a second-row USB port, heated steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad.

Compared to the 2017MY car, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata PHEV has a more dynamic front end, new 17-inch alloy wheels, blue bezel headlights and taillights, revised center stack area inside, an updated instrument cluster and a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel.