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2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2017 FFE Platinum


pauldz
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Hi folks,

I'm on my third Sonata and was interested in buying the PHEV Sonata, but they are not readily available here in Florida. So now I'm trying to decide between A 2016 Sonata Limited Hybrid and a 2017 FFE Platinum. Would love to hear any opinions.

Hybrids are not selling well and both dealers have made tempting offers. The sticker on the Sonata (with Ultimate package) is $35,860 and they are offering to sell it to me for $25,860, that's $10,000 off including rebates. The sticker on the Ford is $40,000 and they would sell it to me for $36,800, and there's a $4,000 federal tax credit, that's a net of $32,800. So the Ford is $7,000 more but it's a 2017 and it is a plug-in. Both cars have some hi-tech features. 

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
p

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Hi folks,

 

I'm on my third Sonata and was interested in buying the PHEV Sonata, but they are not readily available here in Florida. So now I'm trying to decide between A 2016 Sonata Limited Hybrid and a 2017 FFE Platinum. Would love to hear any opinions.

 

Hybrids are not selling well and both dealers have made tempting offers. The sticker on the Sonata (with Ultimate package) is $35,860 and they are offering to sell it to me for $25,860, that's $10,000 off including rebates. The sticker on the Ford is $40,000 and they would sell it to me for $36,800, and there's a $4,000 federal tax credit, that's a net of $32,800. So the Ford is $7,000 more but it's a 2017 and it is a plug-in. Both cars have some hi-tech features. 

 

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

p

I love my 2013 FFE but...

 

Just rented a 2016 Sonata SE in El Paso and returned it in Phoenix.  Stops in Las Cruces and Tucson.  Driven 75 mph+  on I-10.  Got 36 mpg for 583 miles.

 

At $2 per gallon for gasoline the $7,000 difference in price will get you over 100,000 miles (126,000 to be exact) along with lower personal property taxes on the Sonata.  Adding a 240 EVSE will add another $800.  Personally, I wouldn't have an FFE without 240 capability.

 

You have a decision to make.

Edited by JATR4
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There are good points above, for me there are two key elements to consider:

 

1 - What is your typical commute/daily use? If it's a short commute and the car will mostly be used for short trips, then the FFE has the advantage.

 

2 - What space do you need for the trunk? I haven't seen the trunk in the Sonata but since the FFE has definite trunk limitations, if the Sonata has a decent sized trunk (as the FFH does) then the Sonata has the advantage.

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Sorry for the long winded reply....

 

There are many on this forum that are able to tell you whether the FFE or the Sonata Hybrid is “better” for you economically by mileage driven or electric miles driven and gas consumption.  I am one of the crazy people that did not care how long it would take to break even or recoup the price difference between the FFE and another vehicle.  I WANTED the Energi.

 

I have driven many vehicles when I travel for work and the new Sonata was one of them.  Personally the Sonata felt less premium than the Fusion.  I drove several Sonata SE's.  I have driven the Fusion SE and that felt higher quality than the Sonata in both interior materials and ride.

 

I would look at all Hybrids if that is an option for you.  The Fusion Hybrid, the Accord Hybrid, and even the Camry Hybrid.  Between all of those, as well as the Sonata Hybrid, which vehicle do you feel more comfortable when in the driver’s seat.  The layout of the dash, and the ease of using the controls are what matters the most.  The FFE Platinum you are considering probably has a lot of features that might be options on others so be sure to find similar features/options on each car.

 

You are right about the tax breaks.  I took advantage of every discount possible; $1500 rebate from state of California, $2000 rebate from my city/county, $4007 Fed tax credit, and 30% (I think) Fed tax credit on the 240 home charger.  Ford had a $750 coupon (was in a brochure) and the dealer gave me $150 discount for chatting on line about my car.  In the end I paid less for my Energi than I would have for the Fusion Hybrid.

 

Once you get used to driving in electric mode with the Energi, you will hate hearing any vehicle using the engine (including the Energi). Every vehicle that I rent is “noisy” just because I can hear the engine every time I accelerate and when idling at a stop. I don’t think I’m biased on this one - whenever I get back in my car I’m in electric mode and it is just so quiet!

 

As jeff_h mentioned, trunk space is the main limiting factor for the Energi.  For me, the small trunk is not an issue at all.  Good luck with your decision!

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Thanks for the replies, it is a tough call for me.  I've had 3 Sonatas and always felt like I was getting a high quality, so if the FFE has a more premium feel I'll be impressed.  And I do like the quiet ride of an electric car.  The trunk is a significant issue, I've heard it's too small to carry a golf bag, if that right?  My commute is 26 miles round trip, so probably a bit too far for an all-electric ride.

 

Also, I heard the FFE is not compatible with Android Auto, which I have heard is quite useful.

Edited by pauldz
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In Fl it's hot many months of the year and the Energi's battery will probably deteriorate faster than normal. If you do get the energy you will need to practice some battery preserving techniques especially in FL and that may mean not using the battery on really hot stretches.

 

Just something to think about...

 

-=>Raja.

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Thanks for the replies, it is a tough call for me.  I've had 3 Sonatas and always felt like I was getting a high quality, so if the FFE has a more premium feel I'll be impressed.  And I do like the quiet ride of an electric car.  The trunk is a significant issue, I've heard it's too small to carry a golf bag, if that right?  My commute is 26 miles round trip, so probably a bit too far for an all-electric ride.

 

Also, I heard the FFE is not compatible with Android Auto, which I have heard is quite useful.

Cannot get my golf bag in the trunk of my FFE.

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If you already have a 240v outlet in your garage then you're half-way there. There are many EVSE choices for you.

 

What plug type is your 240v garage outlet?

Edited by bdginmo
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The $800 was for a 240 outlet installation plus an EVSE.  The one you listed should do the trick.  There are some threads on this forum about many of the EVSE units. 

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@eric4539 - If the FFE has a premium build, what accounts for the recalls/service issues?

 

I was nervous about buying the first model year of the Energi.  There are many electronic components (my car has all options) and I wasn’t quite sure how well they would function or hold up.  I can tell you that this car has been to the dealer more times than all my previous cars have.  But prior to the Energi I have purchased used cars and most were out of warranty.  

 

Since everything was covered under warranty I took it in to have every little thing fixed.  The “F” or "I" on several of the Fusion emblems fell off so new badges were installed.  The charge ring lost a quadrant twice I think.  The other issues were all resolved by TSB’s.  I have taken it in for the Door Latch Recall.  Nothing other than the Door Latch Recall was ever a safety or drivability issue for me.  Part of my issues were due to my dealer being Energi certified but lacking the experience working on the Energi.  I felt as if they were learning by working on my car.  There is only 1 other Energi in my town.

 

As an example, my trunk was not staying open.  There is a TSB to replace the torsion bar on Energi’s with the spoiler.  It took my dealer 4 times to install the new torsion bar correctly.  I kept telling them that their fix didn’t fix anything.  One time they said the new torsion bar was defective, then they admitted instaling the torsion bar upside down on the 3rd attempt.  Seriously?  So the 4th time resolved the issue.

 

I can tell you that I do not have any regrets about buying the Energi and would do it all over again.  Personally, I find the Fusion rides better than the Camry or Sonata, but that’s just my seat of the pants impression from driving all of them.  I find the interior materials of the Fusion to be slightly better quality too.  

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I can tell you that this car has been to the dealer more times than all my previous cars have.

 

On the other hand, some have been almost perfect... my wife's car had a couple visits to the dealer to get the driver seat cushion to stay down, it would come unlatched.

 

Other than that, we've had to get the recalls done for the RCM, Door Latches, and PCM Updates.  Her car didn't exhibit any symptoms that were related to those but of course we got them all done.

 

Now after 3½ years and almost 55k miles, we have a chance to make use of the extended warranty we purchased -- one of the hood latch sensors has apparently gone kaput as the hood is latched just fine on both sides but the "hood ajar" notice started coming on last week...

 

So that's not a perfect record but pretty darn good.

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jeff_h,

 

I am in more or less the same boat as you. I got one of the very first cars off the line... mine even sat in the desert for a month and went through an extra round of testing. There were many little things that I addressed under the warranty that I might have lived with had I not known through this forum that a TSB was available. For the most part I have been happy with this car save 2 things. The battery degradation and depreciation. My last 3 cars were BMWs and an Acura, and even 7 years later the cars could be easily sold for about 50% of what I paid for them. The depreciation on this vehicle is unreal. 

 

Having said that, I am enjoying the car and will continue to drive it...so the value is not a real problem, just a disappointment. Not sure I will buy another Ford though as the depreciation is concerning. 

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I don't think it's Ford specific - it is hybrid specific.  The number one worry on any vehicle with a hybrid battery is having the battery degrade / lifetime expectancy and with good reason.  I don't know of any that hasn't depreciated astronomically after rolling off of the lot.  The BEV Focus has dropped to about 55% of what it is worth after 1500 miles (there's 2 for sale nearby with 1600 miles for a whopping 18-19k).  If I had a 3 car garage, I'd have one of those.

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Thanks for all the info, folks.  I ended up buying a Sonata Limited Hybrid today, they called and offered another $500 off of what was already a very low price and high trade in offer.  I had to eliminate the Energi due to the small trunk, need to keep golf clubs in there.  Hopefully this will be the last car I buy that requires gasoline.

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Thanks for all the info, folks.  I ended up buying a Sonata Limited Hybrid today, they called and offered another $500 off of what was already a very low price and high trade in offer.  I had to eliminate the Energi due to the small trunk, need to keep golf clubs in there.  Hopefully this will be the last car I buy that requires gasoline.

Post back sometime with your mpg on the new Sonata.

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  • 3 weeks later...

"Post back sometime with your mpg on the new Sonata."

 

@JATR4 - Just refueled for the first time, went for 600 miles on 15 gallons, right at 40mpg.  The EPA rating is 39 city/43 highway but the difference seems greater, at least in my car, more like 32 city 45 highway.

Edited by jeff_h
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  • 1 year later...

 

 

Also, I heard the FFE is not compatible with Android Auto, which I have heard is quite useful.

 

 

I know this is a late reply, but in case it wasn't dealt with... with it's not the FFE specificly, it's the SYNC 3 (Sync 2 at the time didn't do that) .  with the newest update (3.0 now) Android Auto is available.

Edited by Multitask
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