[cc] 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Road Test Review - First Drive

Description

Adam Barrera at highmileage.org evaluates the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sedan and places it in the context of its competition. Let me know what you think -- start a conversation with me on Twitter. twitter.com In a market saturated with low-denominator midsize sedans that try just hard enough to earn buyers' attention, Hyundai has taken a radical tack with the wildly styled Sonata Hybrid. Manufacturers obsessed with selling vehicles in bulk tend toward conservative exterior designs. Hyundai, on the other hand, has retained bravery. Even the base Sonata wears daring sheetmetal strakes and a swooping rear roofline. The Hybrid's unique front air dam allows for an aerodynamically tight grille-less hood design. Blue logos and clear taillamps seem to be staples of hybrid differentiation. It also seems as if every hybrid must have a gimmicky display to reassure owners that they are, indeed, helping the planet. Four different screens in the navitainment system can be used to monitor the driver's behavior, the flow of energy to and from the wheels, and fuel economy statistics. Only the last two screens provide useful information at a glance. An Eco Guide needle swings to indicate live fuel consumption. A traditional tachometer would be more useful, but, unfortunately, there's not even an option to monitor engine speed through the driver information center. This Blue Drive button on the steering wheel seems to have no effect other than turning the driver information center blue <b>...</b>

Keywords

Hyundai, Sonata, Hybrid, Road, Test, Review, First, Drive, 2011, sedan, quality, critique, adam, barrera, highmileage, green, alternative, fuel, highmileage.org, vehicle, cars, car, vehicles, auto, autos

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