In a mind-numbingly boring challenge the hypermiler Wayne Gerdes drives the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid across America, from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean with only one stop for fuel. That means covering a distance 2269.3 miles between San Diego to Jekyll Island using only 38 gallons of fuel, or averaging nearly 60 mpg, which is incredible since EPA rating for this car is only 40 mpg highway!
Of course you can’t expect to get the same results unless you are a professional hypermiler like Wayne. But even if you get 40 mpg that is still pretty good, considering the fact that the Sonata Hybrid is a spacious four-door saloon with loads of equipments and a 274 hp V6 engine. The very well-equipped Sonata Hybrid at $25,795, and the incredibly well-equipped, tech-feature-packed Premium version at $30,795. It is an astonishing car, if you can live with that front-end design!
“As a fan of fuel-efficient vehicles, I enjoy the challenge of putting new technology to the test,” says Gerdes. “This demonstration shows how the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid can deliver extremely impressive fuel economy and range for drivers who value fuel savings. This is the first time I’ve driven a car that ‘does it right!’ Driving on the interstate at the posted speed limit (or 65 mph, whichever is slower), the Sonata Hybrid will exceed or equal its competition while offering a much larger, roomier, and comfortable car.”
Hybrids have been driven long distances previously in staged demonstrations aimed at amassing miles on the odometer. In this challenge, Gerdes drove alone in the Sonata Hybrid and crossed the continental United States from point-to-point, not in a controlled loop, but in real-world conditions in the cold of winter.
“While the drive was bit more extreme than we expect most owners to undertake, this demonstration underscores the range and efficiency of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid,” says Hyundai Motor America president and CEO, John Krafcik.
“Sonata delivered some incredible results for us in 2010. This drive was a great way to kick off 2011 when we begin retail sales of the Sonata Hybrid.”
