Hyundai Sonata Fuel Economy Rating Found Lower Than Stated, Corrected

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Hyundai announced a correction in the upcoming 2015 Sonata’s fuel economy upon findings showing the economy figures to be lower than originally stated.

Reuters reports the sedan claimed a 6 percent-climb to 12.6 kilometers per liter, a figure based on tests at the automaker’s research center. However, government tests returned a 2 percent-climb of 12.1 kilometers per liter than the outgoing model.

Analysts, including Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade senior researcher Cho Chul, said the impact of the error and subsequent correction would be short-lived, having been announced prior to the new Sonata going on sale later this month in its home market:

This may have a short-term impact on its reputation. But for the longer term, it is better for Hyundai to take quick action before controversy erupts.

Both Hyundai and Kia are rebuilding their reputations regarding fuel economy after overstate figures in their respective lineups led to recalls and customer lawsuits, paying $395 million total in settlements in the United States in 2012 for over 1 million vehicles with erroneous mileage.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Mar 18, 2014

    "6 percent-climb to 12.6 kilometers per liter" >.

  • Raresleeper Raresleeper on Mar 18, 2014

    This is becoming commonplace. Manufacturers are expected to comply with ever-increasing standards from Sir Obama, yet they get a slap on the wrist for their exagerations. Last I heard there was this lady out of California trying to sue the pants off Honda (IIRC) for under-estimated MPG of the Civic she financed. Let's sum it up once and for all: if you are going to buy a vehicle, and you want to know how much MPG it will get... knock about 2-3 mpg off the average MPG that the manufacturer is citing. I love it, too, how they say "EPA rated". Make's not a damned bit of difference.

    • See 6 previous
    • Ponchoman49 Ponchoman49 on Mar 19, 2014

      @PrincipalDan Or for CAFE stds of 35.5 started by Mr Bush.

  • Kyree Kyree on Mar 18, 2014

    Our 2012 Sonata Limited (naturally-aspirated) regularly crests 40 MPG in calm driving scenarios. But Hyundai/Kia does need to get its act together as far as reporting fuel-economy ratings goes. Didn't they also have some kind of debacle in South America?

  • Red60r Red60r on Mar 19, 2014

    To really know if your car is performing up, or down, to the EPA numbers on the sticker, you would have to replicate the exact cycles used in their tests (which are designed to test emissions, not consumption). I'm still waiting for the industry to come out with real-world tests, like driving 1000 miles on the Interstate network at actual traffic speeds, or slogging through a big-city rush hour with the A/C on. I don't drive gently, but still beat the posted numbers with the last several imports I owned (not Korean, but Japanese and Swedish).

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