Fuel-Efficient Hyundai Cars
The return of the econobox: Hyundai will introduce stripped-down Accent (above) and Elantra models, with low-cost mpg-enhancing measures, as a way to offer high-mpg models for a low cost.
Hyundai hasn't yet put a hybrid car on the market, but the company is setting high goals for its fuel efficiency efforts. The company plans to achieve a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2015, five years ahead of the timetable for new fuel economy regulations.
“We’re taking fuel efficiency higher and faster than any other carmaker. We’re going to pass Toyota and Honda by 2015,” said John Krafcik, vice president of product development at Hyundai Motor America, in an interview with HybridCars.com.
Hyundai’s fuel efficiency campaign—dubbed “Hyundai Blue Drive”—features a range of advanced technologies, including hybrids powered by lithium batteries, turbocharged gasoline direct injection, and eventually plug-in hybrids and fuel cell electric vehicles. But in keeping with its brand, Hyundai will also focus on near-term, low-cost fuel efficiency strategies—such as low-rolling-resistance tires, enhanced aerodynamics, and revised engine calibrations—to offer the highest mpg at the lowest cost.
Perhaps the biggest number recently offered up by Hyundai is 500,000. That’s its target for annual hybrid sales by 2018, according to Brandon Yea, senior vice president for marketing. To reach that goal, Hyundai will need to move very fast. The company’s first gas-electric vehicle, the mid-size Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, doesn’t goes on sale until 2010.
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Hyundai Hybrid and Fuel Efficient Vehicles
| Sort by: | Name | Combined MPG  | Technology | MSRP | Available | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 38 MPG | Hybrid | $25,800 | Now | Hyundai's first hybrid offers average efficiency of 38 mpg, for thousands below the competition. |
Top news for Hyundai
- Consumer Reports Pans Sonata Hybrid
- According to a recent Consumer Reports review, the Hyundai Sonata hybrid comes up short in several areas—with the publication recommending that consumers steer clear of the model in favor of the gas-only Sonata.
- Hyundai Not Afraid to Lead in Fuel Economy—And Fuel Economy Reporting
- This month, Hyundai began reporting the weighted monthly fuel economy average for its lineup—leading competitors to complain that the numbers would just confuse the public because unlike other carmakers, Hyundai doesn’t sell full-size pickup trucks or SUVs. But Hyundai Motor America's President and CEO John Krafcik says that move is about “democratizing" fuel economy. “If everyone reported these numbers, it would change the industry," Krafcik told Hybridcars.com at the Chicago Auto Show this week. “What gets measured, gets done.”
Hyundai Sets $25,795 as Price for 2011 Sonata Hybrid- Hyundai this week announced a price of $25,795 for the base-level 2011 Sonata Hybrid, with the premium package going for $30,795. That means the Sonata Hybrid will beat the Ford Fusion Hybrid ($28,240) and the Toyota Camry Hybrid ($26,575) on price. It already has an edge on fuel efficiency, aerodynamics, light weight, and enjoyable driving.
First Drive: With the 40 MPG 2011 Elantra, Hyundai is Making Unicorns- While it's easy to get caught up in the excitement surrounding the next generation of hybrids and plug-in cars, the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra is a good reminder that the conventional combustion-engined car still has a lot of mileage left in it—especially when executed with such style, efficiency and value.
How Hyundai Will Reach 50 MPG Average by 2025- The 2011 Elantra was Hyundai’s major debut at last week’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Elantra is among the emerging class of small gas-powered cars that achieve better than 40 mpg on the highway. More importantly, the Elantra provides mounting evidence about how the company will reach its lofty goal of achieving a fleet-wide average of 50 MPG by 2025—ahead of government deadlines.
The 2011 Sonata Hybrid’s Secret Ingredient: Six-Speed Automatic Transmission- Last year, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid racked up award after award for its silky smooth hybrid drivetrain that made Toyota’s hybrids seem clunky and Honda’s weak. One short year later, it’s now the 2011 Sonata Hybrid making the Fusion Hybrid seem outdated and bland. We recently spent a sunny afternoon in San Diego with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and came away feeling that the bar has once again be raised on how much driving pleasure can be offered by a fuel-efficient hybrid sedan.
Hyundai Pledges 50 MPG Average by 2025- Hyundai North American president John Krafcik recently told a seminar at the Center Automotive Research that the company plans to hit an average of 50 mpg for its lineup by 2025—thanks to a bold market strategy that prioritizes fuel efficiency and affordability, and puts hybrids front and center.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Road Manners: First Reviews- Before the end of this year, Hyundai will put its first hybrid on the market. As we’ve reported, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid represents another compelling high-mpg mid-size sedan for hybrid shoppers. The gas-electric Sonata stacks up against the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. We still don't know about price, but journalists are now reporting their first experiences on the road.
Hyundai Sets Out Aggressive Plans for Hybrids, Some that Plug In- The evidence is mounting that Hyundai plans to be a major play in the hybrid market. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, expected to get 40 MPG on the highway, is due later this year. As we reported in April, a dedicated Prius-style Hyundai hybrid is in the works. And a plug-in hybrid will not be far behind. All told, the company expects one out of five cars it sells in 2020 to be a hybrid.
Hyundai and Ford Will Offer Micro-Hybrids- In recent years, Europe has been embracing stop-start systems—also known as “micro-hybrids”—but the US has been slow to adopt the technology. Until now. Automotive News reported this week that Hyundai and Ford will begin offering stop-start systems on many of their models.