Hyundai’s 2016 Sonata Hybrid sips fuel when it matters least

By Nick Palermo Published January 16, 2015

Despite historically low gasoline prices across the U.S., automakers at this year’s Detroit Auto Show are still introducing a range of vehicles designed for fuel efficiency, including hybrid, diesel and plug-in models. Hyundai is among them, unveiling a gas-electric version of its latest, seventh-generation midsize sedan. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is expected to post up to 44 mpg when it arrives early this summer.

Hyundai credits equipment it calls a Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device, or TMED, for the boost in fuel economy. A 38-kW electric motor and clutch replace the torque converter on the Sonata Hybrid’s 6-speed automatic and bolster output from the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine. The automaker expects fuel economy of 39 mpg city, 44 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined.

Recommended Videos

That’s a ten percent boost in combined city/highway fuel economy compared with the previous-generation Sonata Hybrid and easily tops a 28-mpg combined rating for the Sonata SE with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The fuel economy gain is less significant compared to the Sonata Eco, though, which uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and dual-clutch transmission to achieve 38 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined.

The gas engine and electric motor in the Sonata Hybrid combine to produce 193 horsepower, more than the conventional Sonata’s peak output of 185 horsepower. The electric motor draws energy from a 1.62-kWh battery pack that’s 13% larger than that of the previous model. Thanks in part to the larger battery and the TMED’s ability to decouple from the gas engine, the 2016 Sonata Hybrid can hit 75 mph solely on electric power.

Hyundai gets high marks for including or offering luxury-grade features in its mainstream models, and the Sonata Hybrid is no different. A backup camera is standard, and features like a navigation system with an 8-inch touchscreen, ventilated front seats, a heating steering wheel, rear side window sunshades and adaptive cruise control are all available.

Automakers may simply be hedging their bets on today’s low gas prices, or perhaps they know something we don’t about the future of fuel costs. Either way, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata is among many fuel-sippers on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show and, with the 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, not even alone on the Hyundai stand.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Palermo is a freelance automotive writer in Atlanta. Since becoming an freelance automotive journalist in, Nick has…

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Cars

Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

The writing was pretty much on the wall for the Cybertruck range extender last month when Tesla removed the option from its website. Now, it’s officially scrapped it and is refunding the $2,000 deposits that customers put down for the $16,000 battery pack.

“We are no longer planning to sell the range extender for Cybertruck," Tesla said in a message to customers on Wednesday, adding, "As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”

Cars

Zoox recalls robotaxis after Las Vegas crash, citing software fix

Amazon's self-driving vehicle unit, Zoox, has issued a voluntary safety recall after one of its autonomous vehicles was involved in a minor collision in Las Vegas. The incident, which occurred in April 2025, led the company to investigate and identify a software issue affecting how the robotaxi anticipates another vehicle’s path.
The recall, affecting 270 Zoox-built vehicles, was formally filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Zoox said the issue has already been addressed through a software update that was remotely deployed to its fleet.
Zoox’s robotaxis, which operate without driving controls like a steering wheel or pedals, are part of Amazon’s entry into the autonomous driving space. According to Zoox’s safety recall report, the vehicle failed to yield to oncoming traffic while making an unprotected left turn, leading to a low-speed collision with a regular passenger car. While damage was minor, the event raised flags about the system’s behavior in complex urban scenarios.
Establishing safety and reliability remain key factors in the deployment of the relatively new autonomous ride-hailing technology. Alphabet-owned Waymo continues to lead the sector in both safety and operational scale, with services active in multiple cities including Phoenix and San Francisco. But GM’s Cruise and Ford/VW-backed Argo AI were forced to abandon operations over the past few years.
Tesla is also expected to enter the robotaxi race with the launch of its own service in June 2025, leveraging its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. While FSD has faced heavy regulatory scrutiny through last year, safety regulations are expected to loosen under the Trump administration.
Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020, says it issued the recall voluntarily as part of its commitment to safety. “It’s essential that we remain transparent about our processes and the collective decisions we make,” the company said in a statement.