Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs. Kia K5 Hybrid

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid


Kia K5 Hybrid

What can I say? Both the YF Sonata Hybrid and the K5 (Optima) Hybrid were launched yesterday in South Korea. They're both equipped with the Nu 2.0L MPI engine with 30kw electric motor providing almost 200 ps of power output. They're both armed with a Li-ion battery which is essential for the EV mode. I guess both the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Kia K5 Hybrid shared the same technologies but I wonder which of these executive hybrid medium-sized sedan is my pick?

CASE ONE:
The South Korean market finally gets the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid after months of waiting for this variant to come since the 2010 New York Auto Show debut. What's different is the front view that ditches the grille from the current-generation Hyundai Sonata and the front bumper has some kind of an hexagonal hole on it, as part of the Fluidic Sculpture. With the concept of "New Thinking, New Possibilities", the Sonata Hybrid is a different kind of hybrid you'll ever face on the streets of Seoul. I am highly appreciated over the Sonata Hybrid's exterior design but I think it needs to be more better.

CASE TWO:
The Kia K5 Hybrid/Optima Hybrid is the latest addition to Kia's award-winning K5/Optima sedan. It remained its Tiger Nose grille while the front bumpers and tail lamps were changed to be more "down to earth" and this is one of the coolest design flow I have ever seen in the history of hybrid cars. What I don't like are the rims because they are much more hideous to see than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

It's up to you to decide which of these two Korean executive hybrid sedans is your pick.

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