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.

Visit your Chicago Hyundai dealer to find out more!

It was a little more than a decade ago that Chicago Hyundai dealers first introduced drivers to America’s Best Warranty as a way of showing car buyers how much faith the company had in Hyundai’s vehicles. Fast-forward ahead to today and the warranty is still in place. Now, Hyundai is demonstrating to buyers Hyundai’s faith in them. Allow me to further explain.

Anyone, regardless of age, health, or employment history, financing or leasing any new Hyundai automobile who loses their income will be eligible to return their Hyundai hassle-free; even being covered up to $7,500 in negative equity. Coverage comprises a wide range of circumstances of which the driver is eligible to return the automobile, including, involuntary unemployment, physical disabilities, revoking of driver’s license due to medical impairment, international employment relocation, personal bankruptcy, and accidental death.

For those who fall under any of the categories listed above, one is eligible to file a request for benefits with Hyundai Assurance Administrator. To qualify the driver must have made at least two scheduled payments and be up-to-date on their loan or lease. From there the benefits specialist will assess the value of the vehicle by averaging your dealer’s appraisal and the values from leading industry guides. Upon approval, the vehicle will be returned to the selling dealer and pay any additional balance above the previously mentioned $7,500 Hyundai Assurance, if any; walking away free of further financial obligation and their credit score intact.

Not sure what “negative equity” is? Imagine you still owed $20,000 on your Hyundai when it is decided to be turned back in; if the automobile is valued at $15,000, then it has $5,000 in “negative equity.” That’s $2,500 under the $7,500 limit, and therefore you owe nothing. The likelihood of the car depreciating by more than $7,500 in the first 12 months is very slim.

Hypothetically speaking, what if I were to lose my job and didn’t have enough saved up to make payments in the meantime but felt I could track down another opportunity in only a couple of months? Having already planned ahead, Hyundai recently introduced the Hyundai Assurance Program Plus, a program available to anyone looking to buy new Hyundai in Chicago. If let go by your place of employment, Hyundai will make your payments for up to three months; after those three months are up, if you have a job, you are able to keep the car with no obligation to pay them back for the assisted payments. If you are still unable to find employment, you can return the car via the normal Assurance process, free and clear and without it impacting your credit rating.

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For more information please visit your Chicago Hyundai dealership.

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:

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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.

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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.