Hyundai has had a great year so far—in Chicago, Hyundai Elantra and Sonata vehicles are everywhere you look—and if the Korean automaker is going to stay competitive with the big boys in the auto industry (the Toyotas and Hondas of the world), it’s probably going to have to put on its thinking cap every once in a while.  Because why go toe-to-toe and trade blows with the heavyweights when you can out think them?  Even considering how far Hyundai has come, Toyota and Honda are, in all likelihood, in a better position to absorb the roundhouses typical of a grueling fight.

Hyundai could very well be using this creative strategy with the Hyundai Veloster that is rumored to be appearing in production form at the Paris Motor Show this September.  The Veloster is a small sports coupe that is designed to compete with the Honda CR-Z.  But now while the CR-Z is a hybrid that gets a very good 36 city/39 highway equipped with a CVT, the Veloster runs on a conventional four-cylinder engine (a 1.6-liter direct injected inline that gets 140 hp, to be specific), and, according to John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president, it will eclipse the 40 mpg mark and outperform the CR-Z in fuel economy all around.  He went on to say that the Veloster, by not using a hybrid powertrain, will be lighter, simpler, and, most importantly, cheaper than a hybrid.

It would seem Hyundai is using its smarts to stay in step with the overall attitude of our culture right now.  Sure, most people want to be greener, and a hybrid is good way to go about achieving this, but with the way the economy is performing, people don’t have the extra income for these types of purchases if these purchases are going to hit them harder in the wallet.  This is especially true in Midwest cities like Detroit and Chicago.  Hyundai Tucsons are a solid car and good for their stated purpose, but it’s hard to imagine SUVs are flying off the lots right now from Chicago Hyundai Tucson dealers like they were five and six years ago.  But again, in Detroit and Chicago, Hyundai Elantras and Sonatas, cars with good MPG, are appearing everywhere for a reason.  It’s definitely a major trend right now.  And with the coming of the Veloster, Hyundai seems to have wisely taken notice.

Hyundai is a pretty well known car company, but it hasn’t been around that long compared to other brands like Toyota and Ford. Just because it hasn’t been around 60-70 years doesn’t mean it isn’t just as good (or better!). The 2011 Chicago Hyundai Sonata has pulled out all the stops when it comes to luxury and style, and car buyers are riding high with Hyundai.I am a sucker for style and recently I have been doing some heavy-duty car shopping, with the Hyundai Sonata at the top of my list. I’ll be honest, at first I was leaning towards a Honda accord or Toyota Camry, but once I started researching other options I discovered that I can get more car for less money in the Sonata.

When I first visited my local Chicago used Hyundai Sonata dealer I was a little overwhelmed just because I didn’t know too much about Hyundai or their cars. Then I had to decide whether I wanted new or used. To my surprise, I could afford a brand-spankin’ new 2011 Sonata! My salesman was wonderful and he told me all about the awards they’ve received and incentives they offer. He informed me that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata represents the lowest depreciation in the midsize car segment in the ALG Residual Value Index. The 2011 Sonata even outperforms comparably-equipped 2010 model year Honda Accord.

Not to mention the 2011 model was recently named the IIHS top Safety pick and it was also voted ‘Car of the Month’ in March by NADAguides.com. Now I can sit here and tell you about all the features of the car (and believe me the list goes on and on!) but the Chicago Hyundai Sonata has been around since 1985. That’s almost 26 years! They must be doing something right! The Sonata has gone through many facelifts over the years, and we are currently in the 6^th generation line, but they have always been consistent and always provided a solid, safe car. This is all coming from a FORMER die hard Honda fan, and I can officially say I’ve switched sides. My point in this is that the Hyundai Sonata is everything you could want in a car and more!

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!

If you’re like me, buying a brand new car isn’t necessarily in the cards. The good news is you don’t always have to buy new to get a great vehicle! There are a large number of used vehicles on the market today and Edmunds.com recently compiled a list to help consumers sort through the choices and determine their ideal vehicle. Two of these vehicles are the Chicago used Hyundai Azera and the Chicago used Hyundai Elantra Touring – both of which are available at your local Hyundai dealer.

Edmunds.com is a leading online automotive resource. In order to determine the “Used Car Best Bets for 2010,” their editors and experts looked at reliability, safety, value, and availability. They also looked at consumer ratings and vehicle longevity while applying their own experience and judgment, and this is what they found about the Azera and the Elantra Touring

When it comes to the Chicago used Hyundai Azera, the 2006-2008 models were at the top of the large used sedan segment. Editors credit this to its upscale look and unexpected luxury features, adding that it has a reasonable price tag, solid build, and steadfast reliability. Crash test scores and a smooth performance also added to its résumé.

As for the Chicago used Hyundai Elantra Touring, the 2003-2008 models lead the compact used car segment. In explaining this decision, editors point to class-leading interior space, outstanding handling, and overall refinement. Every year, the Azera adds upgrades and standard equipment so its value only continues to improve.

Not all used cars can boast leading safety so it is important to note that both of these vehicles feature class-leading safety technology. This helps them to perform strongly in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and allows for the continued reliability and strong residual values.

So if you’re in need of a vehicle, consider the value and affordability of a used car from Patrick Hyundai! For an Edmunds.com “Used Car Best Bet for 2010,” consider the Elantra or the Azera but remember these are just a two of the possible choices. Visit Patrick Hyundai today and see everything that they have available!

Have you ever been on the Dan Ryan and thought to yourself how terrible the other drivers seemed? I found myself in just that situation last weekend while driving my Chicago used Hyundai Azera which I purchased from the Chicago used Hyundai dealers. I think we can all relate to that frustration and so today I’d like to take a moment to review some summer driving tips we should all follow so that we can have a safe and care-free summer!

We all know talking or texting or surfing the Web on your smart phone are sure fire ways to get into an accident (or get ticketed if a Chicago police officer spots you), but there are also many other steps that can be taken to ensure safer roads . Why not start the summer off with a visit to the mechanic? Preventive maintenance can save you on future repairs and ensure your family’s safety, especially if you’re planning a long road trip. An oil change is the most obvious step to take, but your local mechanic can also give the car a once-over to check fluid levels, your engine cooling system, suspension, brakes, and tires.

Speaking of tires, let’s make sure you’ve got some safe ones to drive on! They are the one thing that touches the road as you drive so it’s crucial to make sure they are in top-notch condition. How many times do you see families stranded on the side of the road after a blown tire? You don’t want that to be your family this summer. Proper tires will also improve your fuel economy which means more money for hotels, food, and entertainment!

Over the summer months, we like to think of Chicago as having perfect weather, but there’s always the chance of rain so it’s important to be prepared. Remember that roads are most slippery when the rain first begins since it is mixing with oil on the road. Also, give yourself plenty of room if following other cars in traffic since it takes twice as much room to stop when driving in the rain.

Speaking of rain, what are two things you must turn on during rain? Lights and windshield wipers. These are two key factors which ensure your visibility so they must be up to par. If your lights seem faded (or if one light is completely burnt out) replace both bulbs at once and make sure the headlight housings are clean. As for the wipers, make sure you’ve got summer blades and consider RainX or a similar water repellant to help water to bead more quickly and keep your windshield clean.

If you want more information on how to stay safe this summer, visit the Chicago used Hyundai dealers for all the best tips. And for everyone’s sake, let’s try to keep the roads safe this summer!

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 has always been considered (though not really been) something of a second class citizen in the automotive world compared to Toyota and Honda.  A producer of small, inexpensive knockoffs is a charge leveled at Hyundai so often it might be mistaken for a branding strategy.  Even its latest offering the large luxury sedan called the Equus has been questioned all over by that deafening, infinite-headed beast known as the blogosphere, as to whether it can truly compete with the Lexus LS460 and the Mercedes S-Class.  For starters, by pricing it much less (it’ll come in around the mid-$50,000 price tag), doesn’t that diminish an aspect of its luxury appeal?  Guess we’ll soon find out, as the Equus is due to go on sale this fall. 

But getting back to Hyundai’s brand perception, this idea of inferiority has seemed to be a prevailing one among the press and citizenry alike, and yet someone out there must be thinking the brand’s doing good work (besides new and used Hyundai Chicago dealers, of course).  In case you missed it, Hyundai is the world’s fastest growing automaker.  According to the L.A. Times, the Korean automaker’s profit was $1.37 billion for the first quarter of this year, its best quarter ever.  It boasted strong sales in India and China—China, you might recall, recently overtook the US as the biggest automobile market in the world.  Yes, from Beijing to Kashmir new Elantras and Accents are flying off the lots; from L.A. to Chicago, used Sonata and Santa Fe models are being driven down every block.

There hasn’t been a better time in Hyundai’s history than right now and its executives sense it.  There is blood in the water.  Hyundai is taking direct aim at the auto leaders (i.e., Toyota) to become the number one automotive brand in the world—the Equus being put into direct competition against the LS460 is no coincidence.  Hyundai, due in part to Toyota’s struggles with identity and perception over the past few months, recently earned the #1 spot in brand loyalty according to Kelley Blue Book marketing intelligence data.  That means those who sell their used Hyundai in Chicago or anywhere else in the U.S. are likelier to buy within the brand (56.3%) than those owning and selling Toyotas, Hondas, etc.

So, yes, it’s good to be Hyundai right now, whether in Beijing or Chicago.  Used Sonata and Elantra dealers are saying the same thing, as are new Accent and Genesis dealers.  Everyone should be feeling good about Hyundai.  Everyone, that is, except their competitors.

Over the last few years Hyundai has done a great job of really putting themselves on the map. Our very own Chicago Hyundai Tucson and Genesis Sedan received the 2010 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards in their respective categories. The Genesis is actually a repeat winner. “Aspirational Luxury Car Class” over Mercedes, BMW and Lexus, among others. On the other hand, the new Tucson that was just launched late last year earned the top honor in the “Compact Crossover SUV Class.” AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award measures how satisfied a car owner is with their newly purchased car or truck. Car owners were made to answer questions based on 48 car attributes that made them decide to buy the car and become satisfied with their decision.

After recently visiting my local Chicago Genesis dealership, I was thoroughly impressed with the Hyundai Genesis. It truly is a luxury vehicle. To be honest, I wasn’t considering a Hyundai Genesis at first, but after my neighbor recently purchased one I was intrigued. As if these most recent awards weren’t enough, over the past year, the automaker has become a darling of the press, and according to one new study, Hyundai owners are now the most brand-loyal kids on the block. That, in turn, has helped keep Hyundai resale values high, which has made owners even happier, which has boosted customer loyalty, and so on. “While the auto industry is showing signs of improvement, more than ever before, manufacturers need to be able to differentiate themselves.  Proof of satisfied customers is as good as gold,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “We’ve found that more than 25% of new car buyers are positively influenced by owner-based awards like the VSA when deciding on a new car or truck.”

That being said, Chicago used Hyundai Genesis drivers are more likely to come back to their Chicago Hyundai dealership and purchase a new Hyundai. I can absolutely say that with all the awards and positive customer feedback Hyundai is one of the top contenders for me when purchasing a new vehicle. Like I said before, Hyundai has really made a name for themselves over the last couple years and I am very excited to see what they have in store for us in the future!