2016 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 99 MPGe + 40 MPG
The 2016 Nissan Leaf is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $799 a year to fuel (114 MPGe), versus $1,027 for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (99 MPGe + 40 MPG). That's roughly $227 a year, or about $1,137 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
- Nissan Leaf
Side by side
| Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid | Nissan Leaf | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,027 | Your annual fuel cost | $799 |
| 99 MPGe + 40 MPG | Combined efficiency | 114 MPGe |
| 99 MPGe / 38 MPG | City | 126 MPGe |
| 98 MPGe / 41 MPG | Highway | 101 MPGe |
| 34 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 29.6 kWh |
| 600 mi | Driving range | 84 mi |
| 27 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 106 cu ft | Passenger volume | 92 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 24 cu ft |
| 101 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2.7 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 8 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (80 kW) |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | Single-speed |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf across model years
- Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
- Nissan Leaf
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 600 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 84 miles for the Nissan Leaf.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (106 vs. 92 cu ft); the Nissan Leaf has more cargo space (24 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 67 2016 midsize cars, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid ranks 4th and the Nissan Leaf 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Nissan Leaf is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid or the 2016 Nissan Leaf?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Leaf. The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is rated 99 MPGe + 40 MPG combined and the Nissan Leaf 114 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Nissan Leaf per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,027 for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid and $799 for the Nissan Leaf.
Which has more range?
The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid: about 600 miles versus 84 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Leaf, with 24 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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