Hi! Been looking at new 2025 Camry Hybrids and recently went to the Hyundai dealership to check out the Sonata hybrids and they had this one on the lot.
I test drove it and I was delightfully surprised at how well it drove. I like the pick up. It actually felt like it had better acceleration than the 25 Camry Hybrid. And all the features that the Limited came with were very impressive. My concern is how reliable is this 2021? Do I need to worry about the oil consumption that I read about with certain motors? And is there anything else I need to worry about?
This car has 30 something thousand miles on it so it seems like it may be a good deal. I admit I don’t know much about the Sonata Hybrids. I’ve only done a little bit of research but I am intrigued. Please help. Thank you.
I think Carfax would say it’s a good decounterpoint. But that depends on region.
Hyundai does suggest long oil change intervals. Check the dipstick to see if it clean oil. If VIN had a K in front of it, the car was built in Korea instead of Alabama - which may mean less defects- but I have heard counterpoints.
That Hyundai is a Smartstream engine, not the 2.0 Nu that previously had failure issues like Theta II.
@Eli
Thanks! Yah, it does have the solar roof. I’m sure it has a recent oil change, so that won’t show much. And yah, not doing long oil changes on any more cars. (got stuck oil rings on my 2011 Prius because of that).
The one I’m looking at does have the K in front of it. If I can get it for 20K, I may bite. Hmm.
@Fin
If you had a Prius it will be a different driving experience as Hyundai uses a 6 speed instead of a CVT. Though mileage is stellar on the highway and slight stretches, it will not get the same mileage in stop and go.
In 2021, I paid 20.5k for my 18 Limited Sonata w/UltPkg that had 9500 miles on it. I assume the hybrid commands a little more for a 3-year-old car, but I’d try and beat that price up just a little bit.
