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 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.

- 2009 North America Car of the Year (1st time a Korean brand received this honor)

-  Motor Trend – America’s Top 40 New Cars

-  J.D. Power and Associates – Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) – Most appealing mid size premium car…and the list goes on.

What is it about this mid size sedan that makes it so popular?

The Genesis has excellent handling and can corner very well too.  In testing done, it was found to have better cornering than the 2008 BMW 550i.  This was true on both wet and dry roadways.  IF you go out looking for a new model or a Chicago used Hyundai Genesis, you can expect horsepower of 375 with premium fuel, 368 with regular.   The traction control system found in the sedan helps the tires maintain constant connection with the road, so the horsepower is used as it should be.

Also, the Chicago Genesis comes with many interior features that make it exciting to drive.  The sound system chosen to entertain the driver is the Lexicon 7.1.  It’s a system found only in the Rolls Royce.  That’s pretty cool!  There is also plenty of storage in there that is discreet, but useful — places to store sunglasses, bottle of water, a snack, or anything else convenient to have during  a drive!

The look of the interior and exterior can be made to the driver’s liking.  A buyer is able to choose from eight different paint colors, such as sapphire blue pearl or Cabernet red pearl, to name a few.   Those colors will get some heads turning when you drive by!  Also, you can choose from several leather and wood grain interior options to make the Genesis your own.

Obviously, this car has a lot to offer.  To experience the total driving experience for yourself, head to your Chicago used Hyundai Genesis dealer now!

The all new Genesis is built on Hyundai’s all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive structure and offers two powertrains:  the 3.8-liter V6 producing 290 hp or the 4.6-liter V8 producing a staggering 375 hp.   Add in standard luxury features that rival most luxury sedans on the market today, and you have the complete package.  But surely it doesn’t just have push-button start, a navigation system, extremely comfortable leather seating, alloy wheels and a luxuriously quiet ride, right?  Right!  You’re also looking at a five-star safety rating and handling that would give most BMWs a run for their money.

Now, I’ve visited my Chicago Hyundai Dealer on numerous occassions to test drive and review the Genesis, and I have to honestly say that it deserves every award that it recieves.  But how can these awards convince you to come out and test drive your very own Chicago Genesis?  How could it not?  But if that doesn’t completely float your boat, try out the starting MSRP of just $32,250 and see where that gets you.  Still need some convincing?  Did I mention that of all the awards it won, the most cherished was winning the 2009 North American Car of the Year?  Now it’s your turn to swing by your Chicago Genesis Dealership to find out why you love it.  Everyone else does.