US News has posted its official automobile ranking, and Hyundai vehicles take to the podium!

Affordable Midsize Cars: #3 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Upscale Midsize Cars: #3 2010 Hyundai Genesis
Generally priced $25,000 to $40,000

Affordable Sports Cars: #2 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Generally priced under $35,000.

Affordable Compact Wagons: #1 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
Generally priced under $25,000.

Stop by your new and used Hyundai Chicago dealer, Patrick Hyundai, to test drive any of these top-rated automobiles

So I started making the rounds and I have to say, I was impressed.  All cars offered great amenities and each had appealing differences.  But there wasn’t one that stuck out.  Until I visited my Chicago Hyundai Dealership and had the opportunity to finally test drive the 2009 Hyundai Sonata.  Now I have to say, I’m really impressed.

The first thing I noticed was the luxurious interior.  I know luxurious seems like an overstatement reserved for the likes of a Jaguar or BMW, but Hyundai has really earned the right to utilize the adjective.  Between the comfortable leather seats, accented wood trimming and leather-wrapped steering wheel, it really made the car feel more “at-home” than the Camry or the Accord.  I’m also a huge music guy and have to know that I can take my mp3 player with me anywhere.  I know it’s a minor detail for some, but this is a major detail for me.  Luckily, I was shown the intuitive portal to connect an mp3 player or an iPod to the premium 6 speaker audio system (which sounded amazing by the way.)  So the Hyundai Sonata scored extra points.

And then there was the engine.  The most power I’ve ever had in a vehicle involved 4 cylinders and a 0-60 in around 11 seconds.  So needless to say I was pretty excited to look under the hood and see “V6″ in bold letters on the casing.  At this point I had to take it out for a spin.  Since we were at a Chicago Hyundai Sonata dealership, I had to play it cool on the road, but immediately I could feel the power of the 249 hp engine.  Just knowing it was there was enough for me.  It was a noticeable difference between the 4 cylinders I’m used to, and definitely pushed me in the right direction.  Again, extra points for the Hyundai Sonata.

So after I had all the facts and saw all of the cars, did I make the right choice?  I would say MOST DEFINITELY.  I chose the Hyundai Sonata at the Chicago Hyundai dealership over all other models I’d considered because of the well-rounded amenities and superior performance.  Of course, you can get most of the same features in any other mid-sized sedan, but Hyundai offers the whole package for a great price that you really can’t say no to.  Well, at least I couldn’t say no to it.

When I showed up at my Hyundai Chicago dealer I could not help but to test drive Hyundai’s new Touring model. That’s right, the hatchback is back. The 2009 Elantra Touring is a spicy little ride.

I realized all of the perks that this new model would be able to deliver. This new design offers much more room than before, with the most cargo capacity of any vehicle in its class.

Aside from the new design, the new Elantra Touring also handles the road like a pro. The 2.0 4-cylinder 141 horsepower engine was more energetic than I had expected and the overall ride was far sportier than any of the Elantra predecessors. The 2009 Touring model has much larger wheels and tires, along with a sportier suspension, making the overall feel much sturdier and more responsive.

I was also very impressed by all of the new features the new Touring offers. The Chicago Hyundai dealer pointed out that it has iPod connectivity, along with a USB port for other electronic devices. But even better, when he let me put in my iPod into the car, it started to charge it for me, while also displaying what song was playing with artist and album name as well. Good thing to have for someone so obsessed with their iPod, like I am. It also comes with XM Satellite radio (for those not as obsessed with their iPods), heated mirrors, keyless entry and plenty more new features. Plus, the new Touring is big on safety – with stability control, active head restraints, six airbags and ABS.

After driving the 2009 model around and seeing its new features up close in person, I can honestly say that this new Touring is my favorite Hyundai Elantra. Chicago showrooms are now featuring this new model, so stop in and test drive on for yourself to see what I mean and get hooked as well.

The Hyundai Elantra Touring offers a smooth ride, and a surprisingly spacious interior

Growing up, my siblings  favorite argument was about the back of the car. Neither of them ever had enough room, and heaven forbid either of them ever sit in the middle seat, or behind the driver and survive with a little less leg room. Now they’re older and wiser, but their arguments haven’t really progressed. Put the two of them in a car together and you only need to wait to see who will throw the first punch. With that thought in mind, I decided it would be a good idea to bring both of them with me to a Chicago Hyundai dealer for a test drive of a2009 Chicago Hyundai Elantra Touring.

Having heard rumors about the insanely large interior, I figured I had brought along a fool-proof way to test how spacious it really was – with back-seat-warring siblings.

We took it out for a spin, and the 138-horsepower engine was more powerful than I had expected it to be. More importantly, it’s efficient and economical. This wagon gets 25 mpg overall,  better fuel economy than most other vehicles in its class. It offered a smooth and easy ride that was very pleasant to steer. A salesperson from the Chicago Hyundai dealer explained as we drove how safe it is. The Elantra Touring received five stars for its overall crash rating.

The Touring also boasts a multitude of features that are now offered standard. Air-conditioning, keyless remote entry, heated outside mirrors, a six-speaker sound system and even XM satellite radio are all now offered standard in this sporty little wagon.

However the most remarkable aspect of the test drive was the back-seat silence. Neither sibling was yelling about the other occupying the other’s legroom, and neither threw a punch over who had to sit behind the driver’s seat. The copious cabin space saved the day! Everyone had enough leg room and head room, and they were far enough away from one another that they could carry on a pleasant conversation without accusing anyone of halitosis. And there was room to spare. The rear cargo space , which the Chicago Hyundai dealer salesperson informed me is 24.3 cubic feet, is large enough to fit cargo for almost any outing.

So, I am pleased to say that there is something out there that can supress my siblings’ loathe of riding together in the back seat. Its safety ratings, great fuel-efficiency, and smooth ride are all added bonuses to the amount of room it boasts for its sportiness and affordability.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4OcHern4oQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

I gave a brief look at the Genesis Coupe a while back, but riding along with Josh I was able to get a much better feel for the car and learned a few things from him that I had not read anywhere.  I just shut up and let him do all the talking.  (But I did not let him do all the driving.)

The Genesis Coupe we took out was the 306-horsepower V-6 Grand Touring model, and it was amazing both with amenities and performance.  Loaded with a moonroof, leather seats, Bluetooth, premium audio system, push-button start and more, this car was an absolute blast to be in.

I didn’t catch it on the video, but Josh told me the difference between the fuel economy on the four and the V-6.  I was surprised by both, considering their performance capabilities.  The V-6 gets 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, and the four is rated at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Thanks again to Josh at the Chicago Hyundai dealership, Patrick Hyundai, who led us about town on our ride-along, showing us just what this Chicago Hyundai Genesis Coupe is capable of.  Once again, I find myself incredibly impressed by Hyundai’s ability to deliver what American consumers want.

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Hyundai revealed the Blue-Will plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in Seoul a couple of weeks ago. I’m glad Hyundai is getting into the plug-in hybrid arena.  My guess is that since they have something going on the HEV realm, they will be ready with a plug-in electric hybrid car when all of the other car makers drop them on the North American market in 2011 and 2012.  And I’m also guessing they will make a huge impact, like the company has done in every other segment it’s ventured into.  Somehow Hyundai will turn this concept into a more affordable plug-in HEV than anyone else can offer and then give it the best warranty.

The specs on mileage capability and electric-only miles are similar to other plug-in hybrid concepts right now.  That’s cool, because we know that if Hyundai matches what other plug-ins can do, we’ll be able to get the same benefits with a lower price tag.

What do I think of the design?  Well, a lot of times with concepts (especially the recent hybrid concepts) only one of two things is retained into production: design or powertrain.  My guess is that we’ll definitely see the Blue-Will’s plug-in hybrid engine technology pop up in a production model within two years, but I’m betting against this exact body style making it past the cut.  I actually really love it and wish there was more uniqueness in cars on the road.  I can see myself pulling out of a Chicago Hyundai dealership in this exact car.

I’m happy, as usual, with Hyundai for doing something different.  I’m worried it is too design-forward to appeal to the number of consumers Hyundai will hope to entice, though.  Like the 4th-grade basketball player who has the most fun on the court but forgets to play defense and doesn’t totally understand the traveling rule — he deserves a chance and some encouragement, but he probably won’t make it on the high school varsity team when the time comes.  Anyway, this is Hyundai’s first plug-in HEV attempt, so you can be sure refinements and consumer testing will change what you see currently, even if a model emerges that’s based on this design.

Still, some design elements from the Blue-Will should be emulated if not retained.  Like the car’s underbelly, which has a full length cover to make it more aerodynamic and minimize drag.  Another good idea, carbon-fiber reinforced plastics and composites were applied to the Blue-Will’s side sills, moldings and fenders to make the car lighter.

Lots of other cool stuff: Recycled soda bottles were used to make the material for the headlamp covers.  And bio-plastics were used for the interior the engine cover.  Bio-plastics are made from plant extract in place of fossil fuels and are bio-degradable.  Here is a quick video of the Blue-Will being unveiled in Seoul:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5b2iPDbEpA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

Again, I wouldn’t expect to see this at a Chicago Hyundai dealership when Hyundai does introduce its first production plug-in hybrid, but how cool would it be to see this plug-in techonology in the next generation of the Elantra or the Genesis?

Last Saturday I ventured out to a Hyundai dealer in Chicago to test drive the 2009 Elantra Touring.  It’s one of those models that I’ve thought looked smart and fun to drive but just never had gotten around to exploring.  I’m glad I finally did.

I was immediately impressed by the car’s unexpected zip and tight steering, which I unintentionally tested via a rather quick-paced, illegal turn.  My little blunder exposed two things–the car’s very responsive handling and my accompanying salesman’s responsive nervousness.  So I had covered cornering, steering and braking in one shot.  All seemed great.  Now I stood first in line at a red light, and I felt it was the appropriate opportunity to check out the giddy-up.  The Touring responded with enthusiasm.  The 141-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder won’t show up in Fast and Furious 8, but its acceleration has enough gusto to satisfy.

The Elantra Touring provides a driving experience I would term “simple elegance.”  No, it’s not a luxury car, and isn’t priced like one, but the Touring accomplishes everything it’s supposed to with surprising ease and refinement.  You buy it because it’s affordable, because of its great fuel economy and because you need the cargo space.  The Touring dependably delivers all of those things and more with a very unassuming dose of indulgence.

Part of that quiet indulgence comes by way of an extraordinary amount of features for a car under $20,000–including a really good audio system (which is more of a loud indulgence), power windows, heated power mirrors, to name a few of my favorites.

The Touring also has an available Premium Sport package—including power sunroof, heated front seats and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels—that goes for a still-extraordinarily priced $20,500.

Topping off the benefits is a very important aspect–safety.  The touring comes loaded with standard safety features like curtain airbags and front side airbags.  First-in-class traction and stability control are also standard on the Touring, which means for the Hyundai Elantra Touring Chicago, with its snowy roadways, is home.

Any car buyer who values space and fuel efficiency will find the Elantra Touring appealing.  Add the Touring’s capabilities to Hyundai’s 10-year warranty and Hyundai Assurance Plus program, and it’s a very attractive option.

As I pulled back into the Chicago Hyundai dealership, I seriously thought about trading up for one because the car really fits my needs nicely–having the ability to transport cargo, to get good highway mileage and to totally pump the tunes.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSPsWSRzsck&hl=en&fs=1]

The Genesis Coupe showed up at the Patrick Hyundai Chicago Hyundai dealership earlier this month, and I decided to stop in and get up close and personal with the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe:

The all new Hyundai Genesis Coupe

From the picture you can tell that I’m sold on the design of the Genesis Coupe.  And I’m not the only one taking note of this car’s entry into the coupe segment.   The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is turning a lot of enthusiasts’ heads.  With a base 2.0-liter turbo V-6, the coupe gets to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.  The V6 version comes with leather interior standard, which is impressive for a car priced at $25,000.  Achieving 5.7 seconds for $25,000 makes the Genesis Coupe the least expensive 300 horsepower coupe in the world.  Moreover, the coupe is being certified to run on premium or regular unleaded gasoline while losing a mere four horsepower in the process.  The base V6 comes standard with a six-speed manual and sports fog lights, chrome fascia accents, and premium door sill plates.

Just as exciting is the overall Genesis Coupe base model, which comes in at $22,750 with a turbocharged, inline-four-cylinder base engine. It has been a while since we’ve seen a rear-drive four-cylinder coupe emerge for several years in the U.S.

Then there is the R-Spec model, which offers tuners a chance at a clean slate.  With a low $23,750 price tag it leaves those tuners with plenty in their pockets for their own choices of aftermarket upgrades.

Hyundai has jumped into the coupe fray the right way.  By offering such a wide range of options and appealing to enthusiasts, Genesis Coupe shoppers will appreciate how much they will be able to customize their model choices.

All in all, the Genesis Coupe offers five trim levels, three transmissions, and two engine choices — making the model quite versatile, appealing to enthusiasts and more-casual drivers equally.  Not only that, the Genesis Coupe surprises car buyers by offering the lowest prices of any sports coupe out there with every bit as much attitude.

The all new Hyundai Genesis

I can’t think of a more-deserving car than the Hyundai Genesis for the award.  Hyundai’s venture into the luxury car market has been wildly successful. Standard features on the Genesis 3.8 V6 make it a sweet ride, for sure, but this car takes on a truly lavish attitude with even more sumptuous options—like in-dash navigation and a 500-watt, 15-speaker Lexicon audio system (the same system found in the Rolls Royce Phantom).

Here in the showroom at the Patrick Hyundai dealership in Chicago you’ll find V6-powered versions of the Genesis for a base price around $32,000. The Car of the Year gives drivers the look and handling of a Mercedes-Benz or Lexus with a much lower price tag, making it more and more popular among consumers seeking the best value. Hyundai has always given car shoppers great cars at reasonable prices, but now they are offering a chance to opt for luxury even in a time of scaling back.

Offering both rear wheel drive and a V8 version, I feel this car displays Hyundai’s commitment to creating a true luxury line rather than simply creating the appearance of one.

Take a look at one of my favorite ads, a Hyundai Super Bowl ad, below. As this commercial shows us (the angry bosses at the luxury car makers repeatedly shouting “Hyundai”) – everyone knows how to say “Hyundai” now, and now Hyundai knows how to say “luxury.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi1mQhTr3G8&hl=en&fs=1]