I’m looking at replacing my '19 Accord Hybrid sometime in the future due to infotainment and audio gripes, and weak AC, as well as disappointing mpg compared to competitors.
I’ve landed on either an elantra Hybrid or sonata hybrid (likely this next face-lift coming out) but I have concerns about the theta engine fiasco. Does anyone know if the hybrid models are affected by the same issues? Also if there are any other downsides to be aware of?
I know the go-to alternative would be a camry hybrid or prius, but I hate the camry’s dash layout and the prius is getting out of my price range. I’d love a plug-in hybrid but there just don’t seem to be that many good options right now.
Hyundai uses the Smartstream, which is also known as Theta III, engines in their hybrid lineup, not the cursed Theta II engines. However. This is not an inherently good thing.
The Smartstream (also known as Theta III) engine was only released in 2018 which means major longevity issues would only just now begin to crop up, before any recalls would take place. The worst Theta II problems only began to appear 5 to 6 years after release once they started to reach the 60,000mi point en masse.
And the reason the Theta II engine was such garbage was also not just engineering design related, but also manufacturing. They were made with wide, loose (aka, cheap) tolerances that made them noisy and wear excessively, and often were not processed correctly after casting and machining leading to sand and metal debris being scattered about the engine. Have they really improved anything since then? It clearly helps sell cars by making them cheap, fuck the longevity.
And depending on who you ask, the Theta III is coming with it’s own host of awful manufacturing problems.
The prius is higher priced because it is 100% a better car, hands down, end of story. My parents have owned a prius for almost 10 years and 165,000 miles and it has been the best car they’ve ever owned, has required zero maintenance other than engine oil, brake fluid flushes every 30k, one transmission and coolant flush at 110k, and a few sets of tires. Toyota’s purpose built hybrid system is not even in the same LEAGUE as every other manufacturer who scabs hybrid systems onto existing engines.
I have a 2013 Sonata Hybrid (so, build in Korea) and it’s trouble free, zero maintenance, I change oil with synthetic every ~year/8000 miles. Only other things was brakes this year.
The Nu engines used in pre-2018 hybrids are a different, smaller block platform than the Theta engines and were less troublesome. OP is looking to buy new. Hyundai’s engine lineup is confusing…
Also, personal anecdotes are nice, but read this.
I can’t directly answer most of your questions but as far as I know they have overcome the self destructing engine issues. That said right now I would stay away from Hyundai’s right now due to the auto theft issues they are facing. While a new one will most certainly be safe from the USB stick method of starting it you will still be at risk from idiot would be thief’s who will break your window and tear apart the steering column just to find out they can’t start the car.
My GF’s Hyundai was stolen last week along with 3 others in the neighborhood. The kids that stole it broke into many newer Hyundai’s not knowing they couldn’t start them. Unfortunately my GF’s car was found a few hours later and is being repaired. Now we have to live with the fear that the car will be broken into again and again. The police said they suspect it is kids between 11 and 15 years old so they aren’t smart enough to tell what models or years are stealable hence the newer ones being broken into and tore apart. For this reason alone I will probably never buy another Hyundai or Kia. I have been a owner of both in the past and would have continued to own them prior to the thefts.
