Every year the staff at MSN Autos test drives 50 to 100 new cars.  From that they come up with a list of autos that they feel are the best valued for their class.  Many different classes are considered such as compact cars, trucks, luxury cars, and sedans to name a few.  Lucky for Hyundai, several of their models made the cut.  Let’s see which ones were included on MSN’s list.

The Chicago Hyundai Sonata was chosen as the best pick in the “Midsize Car” category.  It’s been known for offering a lot of great amenities at a good price.  It runs right along with the Accord and Camry, fierce competitors in this category.  For the 2011 car year, the Sonata has been redesigned.  It now has more of a luxury look to it, but sold at a much more manageable price that other luxury options.

The Sonata has excellent handling and comes with a 2.4 liter engine that produces 200 HP and comes with a 6 speed automatic transmission.  It is also a very fuel efficient midsize vehicle.  It offers 22 mpg for city driving and 35 mpg for highway travels.  Those stats alone should make the Chicago Hyundai Sonata a very popular option at your local dealer!

Moving on to the “Compact Crossover/SUV” category, we find the Hyundai Santa Fe at the top of list.  This is a great choice if you are looking for something a bit larger than a Chicago used Hyundai Elantra.  It has a roomy and a nicely designed interior.  It’s 2 biggest competitors are the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, both great vehicles, so if the Santa Fe has topped both of those in MSN’s findings, you must check it out!

Some of the biggest accolades the Sante Fe has received from satisfied drivers include good gas mileage for it being an SUV and it’s smooth handling.  It also has good pick-up when going from stopped to your desired speed.  Moreover, owners have commented that the interior quality and features are very nice for the price.

Kudos to the Santa Fe and Sonata for making MSN’s list.  Now it’s time to head to your Chicago used Hyundai Elantra dealer and test drive one or both of these fine autos!

The 2011 Car Year is among us and it’s featuring some great models; some that are new or maybe some current models that are getting a little “kick in the pants” so to speak!  Hyundai is right in the mix when it comes to producing some quality and affordable autos.  Over the years they’ve come out with the Tiburon, Elantra, Chicago used Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and so much more!  A few Hyundai’s are headlining the roster for the 2011 CY.

Brand new to the Hyundai family is the 2011 Equus.  It’s in the luxury car class and is shaping up to be a great buy.  It’s in the process of being rolled out to your used Hyundai Chicago dealership this summer and has a lot of offer.   Certainly not the cheapest of Hyundai’s, it’ll start off in the mid-$50K range, so for that price tag, you know it carries many luxurious features.  For example, it will have many exterior parts made of chrome and LED lights that often signify a luxury car.  The interior will also be very stylish with leather seating and a leather dashboard.  The seating will be accented by French stitching on the instrument panel.   This sounds like Hyundai as we’ve never seen it before!

Another great car on the lot now at your Chicago used Hyundai Genesis Coupe dealer is the 2011 Sonata.  This is a solid choice when looking for a nice mid-size sedan.  Found in the same class as the Camry and Accord made by Toyota, the Sonata features a 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine that gives 198 horsepower in the base option.  The Sonata comes in three trims: base GLS, SE (sportier), and the Limited, which is the most luxurious.  All three options are front wheel drive and come with standard safety features like plenty of front and side airbags, traction control, and electronic stability control.

It will be interesting to see how the luxurious Equus does in its class, since this is Hyundai’s first big venture into these uncharted waters.  They feel confident that they’ve established themselves as a great brand.  As for the Sonata, the 2011 model looks like a great choice that should stack up well against its competitors!

Test driving an auto you might purchase seems to be a pretty easy concept.  You do some research, head to a dealership, cruise around in the car, truck, or SUV a bit, then make your decision to buy or not.  But, there is a lot you should be looking for when taking your Chicago used Hyundai Azera for a test run. 

First of all, drive the car on some rough surface.  It doesn’t have to be rocky back roads, but maybe down a highway where there are a few dips or a rough couple of bumps.  Does the Hyundai continue to bounce even when you’re back on even pavement?  Do you feel that you have good control of your Chicago Hyundai Genesis Coupe?   If the car continues to bounce or leans more than usual during a sharp turn, this could signify that the suspension needs work or that the shock absorbers need to be replaced.

Another really good suggestion is to practice parallel parking a few times during the test drive.  Make sure visibility out of the back window is what it should be.   The visibility can also be checked by backing out of a few driveways during this same test drive.  This should be a pretty easy couple of tasks to check.  Also, see if the Cruise Control works okay and that the driver’s seat is comfortable for longer trips.

One of the most important checks to make while doing a used Hyundai test drive is testing the brakes.  This part of the car ensures the safety of not only the driver, but of all the precious cargo that may travel with you.  Good brakes are vital to help keep you accident free while on the roadway.  If the Chicago used Hyundai Azera pulls to one side when you brake hard, this is certainly a problem that needs fixing.  If the brakes squeak, the pads most likely need replacing and this is costly.  You would hopefully be able to negotiate that with the asking price.

Now when you go in to test drive your Chicago Hyundai Genesis Coupe, you’ll know some key points to focus on. Doing these can help keep you safe and save time and money down the road or possibly upfront.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been receiving a lot of buzz recently.  The talk I have heard about it is extremely positive.  In fact, the sedan recently received a prestigious award.   It was named a President’s Award Winner by AutoPacific.

AutoPacific is based in California and also has a branch in the Detroit area.  This company specializes in gaining information about the automotive industry. They do automotive marketing that focuses on future trends in the industry as well as serve as a consultant for various products.  Every year they release information on trends and information within the auto sector. 

Recently they surveyed 975 owners of the 2011 Sonata in 48 separate categories. These ran the gamet from basic comfort, to performance, styling, and ease on the environment.  After compiling the results, the staff at AutoPacific was amazed at how well this car did.  Out of 1,000 possible points, this model scored 775.  This is the first time any car has ever scored this high, and the company has done this for many, many models out there, including the Chicago used Hyundai Azera.  As a result, the firm gave the Sonata the President’s Award.

This is a great illustration of how pleased drivers are when they get behind the wheel of their 2011 Sonata.  One area that gets many accolades is the unique styling of this fresh sedan.  The mid-size sedan is a class that can get a bit stale if the models aren’t updated and refreshed every so often.  This car,  currently found at your Chicago used Hyundai dealers, has more of a coupe like body that can be seen in the way the low roof line blends nicely into a shorter back end.  The newest Sonata also has a lot of lines and sculpture seen throughout the side and hood paneling.  Its design is very eye catching when you see it in person.

The only way you can get a truly accurate picture of this great sedan is to head to one of your Chicago used Hyundai dealers and see it for yourself.  Take a test drive and get as much information as you can from the friendly staff.  Hopefully you’ll be leaving the lot with your own 2011 Sonata to brag about!

Hyundai is really establishing itself as a leading car company.  They have accomplished a major feat by surpassing Toyota and Honda in the Brand Loyalty Category.   Based on information received by a Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence study, around 56% of Hyundai owners are looking at new cars within the brand.  Honda is still at the number 2 spot, while Toyota slipped to 3rd place, due to all the recent brand recalls for that automaker.  This is great news for your used Hyundai Chicago dealer, this news should help keep loyal customers coming and hopefully gaining some new ones!

Hyundai’s recent success can be attributed to several things. They’ve released the 2010 Tucson and the 2011 Sonata that are great autos.  I also like the 2010 Chicago Hyundai Elantra Touring.  Hyundai has a great warranty program for buyers to take advantage of as well as their outstanding Assurance Program.  Let’s take a look at what some Hyundai models have to offer.

The 2010 Tucson went on sale early this year and is an awesome compact SUV.  It has quite a bit of cargo room, more than some of it’s same class competitors.  Great news if you have kids to tote around, or like to take weekend road trips!  It also has a beautiful new exterior, that Hyundai is referring to as “fluidic sculpture”, with sloping lines and a modern looking front grille and headlights!

The 2011 Sonata is also at your local dealerships and has much to offer.  Pricing wise, it starts out around $20K, a little higher than the 2010 Chicago Hyundai Elantra, which starts out at $17K for a base model.  The newest Sonata features Hyundai’s in-house developed Gasoline Direct Injection Engine, which helps the 2.4 Liter engine reach it’s maximum potential.  This Sonata can comfortably seat 5 and has wireless capabilities, MP3 connectivity, and a nice stereo system.

There certainly is a lot to be said about Hyundai’s line-up of great cars and SUV’s.  Even if a used Hyundai Chicago is more your style, your local dealer is happy to hook you up with one.  See for yourself why this brand’s loyalty is on the rise!

There is some great news concerning the 2011 Chicago Hyundai Sonata.  Not only is it a great looking and performing sedan, it is also very safe!  This new Sonata was the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick.

What are the criteria for a car, truck, crossover, or SUV to earn this honor?  The vehicle must be rated as a “Good” in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests.  It must also be manufactured with electronic stability control.  In addition to these, the IIHS has added a new rating area that is even more stringent than federal standards.  This being a new roof-strength test.  Very important in case of a rollover or serious auto accident.  In fact, this roof test forced some of the 2010 model winners off the list.

Let’s take a look at some of the safety features that are found in the new Chicago Hyundai Sonata.   One area that Hyundai focuses on is the Brake Assist option.  In an auto emergency, many people often brake too much or too little.  With the braking assist, the Sonata can come to a stop 20% faster than if it didn’t have the feature.  The Brake Assist is programmed to take many factors into consideration to help apply the right amount of braking to each wheel.  It will look at road conditions, steering, and how fast you are driving.  I wonder if my former Chicago used Sonata had this feature??

The Electronic Stability Control is also a very vital feature on the new sedan. Think of this function as the “brain of the car”.  It can test within seconds if your car’s intended path and where it’s actually going are in sync.  For example, if you are driving in snowy conditions and your car starts to fishtail, the ESC will give extra braking power to your front outside wheel.  Stats show that cars that come with ESC are a lot less likely to be involved in fatal crashes and rollovers.  The government requires that all vehicles come with ESC by 2012, so Hyundai is ahead of the game.

Whether you are looking for something new, or maybe a Chicago used Sonata is more your liking, Hyundai is a company that cares. They put safety at the fore-front of priorities when manufacturing their autos.

In a troubling economy, if a car company can see ratings improve, that is certainly a great thing.  Hyundai is experiencing just that.  According to Experian Automotive, Hyundai’s overall brand loyalty jumped up to almost tie with Toyota.  Hyundai is tied for fifth, as the brand loyalty is around 40%.  Also, Hyundai improved in market share gains.  Both of these areas are important and will help the automaker be successful once the market and economy turn around.   Too bad none of us have a crystal ball to find out exactly when that will be!

Hyundai cars’ popularity is certainly on the rise.  They’ve always been known for being affordable and now they are more powerful, elegant, and sporty, able to compete with other great cars, SUV’s, and crossovers in their class. All you have to do is visit a local dealer and check out new models, the Chicago used Elantra, and the Chicago used  Sonata.

The 2010 Elantra is a sedan worth checking out.  It’s not a flashy car by any means, but it’ll get the job done well in your daily commute, drive to the grocery store, or taking your kids to and from their many activities!  One big bonus is the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty that comes with the cost of the car, which starts around $14K for a the basic 4-door sedan.  Of course, you can also opt for the Chicago used Elantra if that’s more your forte?!?!

The 2010 Sonata is also a nice car if you need something new, but don’t want to empty your pocketbook.  It’s a mid-size sedan, offering some more leg room versus the Elantra.  The base price for the base, GLS model, is around $18K and comes with excellent fuel economy.   The MPG estimate for city driving is 21 mpg and on the highway it’s 32 mpg.  Like the Chicago used Sonata, the 2010 model has many safety features that come standard.

Experian’s auto facts show us that Hyundai motor company is doing well, despite a not so great economy.  They are seeing more brand loyalty, better performance ratings, and continue to make cars that are durable and affordable.  Visit your local dealer today and see one for yourself.

One area that has been upgraded is the engine.  The new ones offered are 3.3 L or 3.6 L V8′s.  How does this compare to other Chicagoland used Hyundai models?  I took a look at some 2008 and 2009 models and most of them came with V6 engines.  The selection I viewed included an ’09 Sonata GLS, a 2008 Veracruz, and an ’09 Sonata Limited edition.

The 3.3 L engine is found on the entry-level Azera model, the GLS.  For an entry level engine, it still gives good horsepower of 260 and 233 lbs.-ft of torque.  If you opt for a bit more power, you can step up to the model with the 3.6 L engine.  You can find 283 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque that one.  For a sedan, I think these two options are very good.  I could see myself cruising around in one these Azeras.

The new Azera is also getting better fuel economy.  The GLS will get you around 20 mpg in the city and 28 for the highway.  The Limited (with the 3.6 L engine) provides a driver around 19/27.    Other used Hyundai Chicago models that I saw did not get quite as good gas mileage.  For example, a 2009 Sonata GLS sedan I spied was listed at 18/22 mpg. Less money spent at the pump for your 2011 Azera means more cash for those things you enjoy!

What are some other additions to the new Azera that might not be found on other Chicagoland used Hyundai cars and SUV’s?  The bumper fascia is new and gives the car a cleaner look.  The lighting is also more modern, with LED lighting in the front and rear lights.  The sedan also comes with fog lights, to keep you safe in a very difficult driving condition.  Engineers for the Azera have also added 17 inch wheels and have made the design so that the car performs well on the roads!

The 2011 Azera will be at your used Hyundai Chicago dealer soon.  Meanwhile, other new and used Hyundai models are a great option if you are looking for a decently priced, quality automotive!

Hyundai has had something up its sleeve for the past say, 4 years, and it’s gonna take hold in the next generation of the Chicago Hyundai Sonata.  The 2011 model will be the first to have the Theta II Gasoline Direct Injection engine that Hyundai has been working on in it’s South Korea plant.

The engine’s specifics are as follows.  It will give the Sonata 201 HP and 184 pound-feet of torque.   It’ll be a 2.4 L with four-cylinders and the compression ratio will be 11:3:1.    A fuel pump that has a high pressure will send fuel to the injectors and allow the car to get the horsepower and torque it can.  Another advantage of the Theta II, over the engine in your used Hyundai Chicago, is that it gives around 10% better fuel economy.  That means more money in your pocket!

Besides new engine technology, what will be found in your 2011 Chicago Hyundai Sonata?  To start with, it has been redesigned.  It’s curvier and has more arcs, being termed “fluidic sculpture” by architects for Hyundai.  A family sedan with a little flair seems like a good thing!

Powertrain choices will be plenty with the new Sonata.  Manual and automatic options are available and the mpg will fall around 23/35 for automatic and 23/34 with the manual.  Those are mpg’s I could live with in a sedan.  Hyundai also says that a Hybrid version will be developed.

The 2011 Sonata coming out later this year and the 2010 Sonata currently at your used Hyundai Chicago dealer have many amenities to offer the right buyer. They are also affordable  and reliable cars.  Consider buying a Hyundai today!

The design of the Blue-Will looks very furturistic compared to other Chicago Hyundai used cars. Overall, this car has a very sleek look.   I like the lines on the side of the car, that crossover making an “X” shape.  And the front LED panel has a very distinctive shape.  I wonder if the Chicago Genesis will ever have this outer design?  Only time will tell!

Inside the car, a lot of cool features are also found.  Due to ever changing information advances, the car’s engineers were able to update the interior design to their liking.  For example, the gauge is made with LED lighting and has a TOLED technology that allows the gauges to be shown in high resolution color.  I would love to see this in person soon at my Chicagoland used Hyundai dealer!

The Hyundai PHEV has a unique operating mode.  A lithium Ion battery will provide power, along with a 1.6 L, direct injected petrol engine.  The Blue-Will also has solar panel cells that help maximize battery power.  So, the car can run on fuel, electric power, or a combination of the two depending on weather conditions, distance driven, etc.  This model is clearly a step in a new direction compared to some other Chicago Hyundai used cars.

Again, automakers are looking to make more environmentally friendly autos, espcially in light of stricter govnerment standards on CO2 emissions.  Hyundai is absolutely taking a path in the right direction with its Blue-Will PHEV concept.