Hyundai has added a third, more fuel-efficient powertrain to the 2015 Sonata lineup.
Dubbed the Sonata Eco, it is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 177 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, but the big news is that the Eco model is the first Hyundai to include the company’s new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. As a result of these tweaks, Hyundai says the Sonata Eco sips 32 miles per gallon, a 10 per cent improvement over the base model with the 2.4-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Coincidentally, Hyundai says that’s also class-leading for a non-hybrid midsize sedan.
The Eco will be similarly equipped to the base Sonata SE, but adds a handful of features, including side mirror-mounted turn signals, automatic headlights, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a back-up camera, to name just a few. The only option is the Technology Package, which adds equipment such as a blind-spot monitor, a smart key with push-button start and GPS navigation with an eight-inch display, to name just a few.
Canadian availability hasn’t been announced just yet, but the 2015 Sonata Eco will start at $23,275 in the U.S.
