Engine- All 3 trim levels come equipped with a 2.4 liter 16 valve DOHC engine. The GLS has 198 horsepower @6300rpm with 184 foot pounds of torque. The SE has 200 horsepower @6300rpm with 186 foot pounds of torque. The Limited has 198 horsepower @6300rpm with 184 foot pounds of torque. Even with this impressive horsepower from a 4 cylinder engine the Sonata is able to average 22 mpg city and 35 mpg highway according to their online auto brochure. This fuel efficiency is accomplished in part due to a new fuel injection system called "Gasoline Direct Injection". This gasoline direct injection or GDI system injects a precise amount of fuel directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder allowing it to squeeze the most fuel efficiency out of every gallon. The Hyundai Sonata is the first vehicle in its class with standard "Gasoline Direct Injection" technology.
The car's front wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together. Hyundai said that in all-electric mode, the Sonata Hybrid can reach speeds of up to 62mph (100km/h) which is significantly higher than the Ford Fusion Hybrid's 47mph and the Toyota Camry Hybrid's 42mph.
How the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid