The first year of ownership of our Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has come and gone so what have we learned about this car's fuel economy in the past year?
- It is definitively most efficient on the open highway. Mileage around town is not bad but gone down to the mid-30's in a hurry.
- Winter time, with it's oxygenated fuels and daily use of the heater will affect the mileage considerably. Especially if you try to use the heater right away after a cold start which forces the engine to run for a long while to warm up the engine.
- Our worst monthly average was about 35 MPG and our best was around 43 MPG. No real hypermiling here just adjusting habits to a more leisurly pace. The numbers come from a 70 miles round trip commute to work (5 days a week) and a 1500 miles road trip.
- You do have to pay attention and change your driving habits to get decent numbers. A lesson you can take with you to any vehicle.
- Most importantly, retiring our 20 MPG car from the long commute has dropped our monthly appetite for more expensive Premium fuel by around half.
