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!

In my “pre-SUV owning years” I had a Hyundai Elantra.  Overall, I was happy with it. It was affordable, had everything I needed and it drove well.  Now, I take a look at the new 2011 Chicago Hyundai Sonata and think, wow, Hyundai vehicles have really come a long way.  They look more, can I say it, luxurious?  Granted, mine was a different generation for the Elantra, but I was and still am very impressed! 

Over the past few years, the Hyundai brand has become more recognized and respected.  The models of today have more bells and whistles, adapted styling features from luxury car companies, and they’re still priced very reasonably!  Who can argue with that?!?!

The 2011 Sonata, compared to Chicago used Sonata models on the lot, is a lot lighter.  This is due to a different engine concept.  The Korean auto maker decided not to offer a V6, but rather a four cylinder engine.  Result:  it’s around 100 pound lighter since the car was designed different to house the smaller, but still high performing engine!

Also, the new six speed auto transmission in the Sonata is 26 pounds lighter than the old five speed.  The 2.4 liter engine pumps out 198 HP thanks to direct injection.  Taking all of it’s lost weight into consideration, the 2011 Chicago Hyundai Sonata can go from zero to sixty in 8 seconds- very nice!

There are other great features to this family sized sedan.  It has plenty of space, enough room for 5.  The inside is nicely designed,  has comfortable seats, borrowing from a similar design you’d find in some Infiniti models.  You’ll also get a leather wrapped, telescoping steering wheel, dual zone climate control, heated seats, and so much more.  A very nicely equipped option of the Limited can cost you anywhere from about $25 to $28K.

If a new Sonata isn’t right for you, consider the Chicago used Sonata found at your local dealer.  Otherwise, if you want to splurge and get some luxurious features, the 2011 Chicago Hyundai Sonata Limited is waiting for you now!

Going green is the thing to do these days, even car companies have jumped on the bandwagon.  It’s a good wagon to be on- helping the environment is something we need to do if we want to keep Mother Nature around for us and our children to enjoy!

A few months ago, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid showed its face at the New York Auto Show.  It has a modern/futuristic design setting it apart from other new and used Hyundai Chicago models.  The term Hyundai uses is “Fluidic Sculpture” to describe the design, who’s main job is to make the hybrid more aerodynamic.

A few features on the Sonata hybrid that set it apart from the current Hyundai Sonata include eco-spoke wheels, hexagon shaped grille, and aerodynamic bumper fascias.  This just names a few of the features that help this Sonata reduce drag and air flow, which can weigh on a car, forcing it to expel more harmful emissions and use more gas.

The Sonata Hybrid contains the “Hybrid Blue Drive” technology that Hyundai developed to make this car more ecologically sound.  There are nine specific features that make up this system. Unfortunately, we cannot go into all of them in detail here, but that would be a great reason to make a trip to your Chicago used Hyundai dealer and get the most up to date information!

I can tell you a few of the features that are part of the blue drive technology.  First, the Sonata hybrid contains a 30kW electric motor that works along with a fuel-efficient Theta II 2.4-liter engine.   The electric motor in this hybrid is different from other hybrids in that it’s made of lithium polymer instead of Nickel-metal/ lithium ion combination.  The polymer batteries take up less space and are overall better quality.

The fuel economy of the hybrid is also very good.  It is said to get 39 mpg on the highway and 37 for city driving.  A 2009 Chicago used Hyundai Sonata Limited model I came across had 32/22 fuel capacity, which is still good, but the Hybrid’s offerings are better.  Who can dispute saving some cash on gas!?

Hyundai engineers have been hard at work developing and perfecting a system they hope will leave other hybrid’s in the dust.  I will be curious to see how this Sonata does when it arrives at your favorite dealership!

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.

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!

What’s making the 2010 version of the program even better?   Hyundai is offering  free roadside assistance with it.  Basically, any assistance that a driver would get through AAA, Hyundai will provide for free.  These services include jump starts, bringing you gas if you run out, help if you lock your keys in your car, flat tire replacement, and towing. Wow, this really is an added bonus.  It is great to see a company looking out for the general public, while trying to get their autos sold and on the roadways.

Now, it’s time to take a look at some of great Hyundai models waiting for you at a local dealership.  The Chicago Hyundai Sonata is a dependable car with fine amenities.   It is a mid size sedan,  has 4 doors, and can carry 5 people.  The car was redesigned for the 2009 model year, so the 2010 model remains unchanged.  The 2011 model due out later this year or early next year will be a bit sportier than current models.  Either way, the Sonata at your Chicago Hyundai dealer is affordable, ranks Excellent in Safety, and received Good marks for performance, exterior and reliability.  Take a test drive today!

Another great model is the Chicago Santa Fe.  It is a crossover that was revamped for the 2010 model year, getting new exterior features and powertrains.   The new Theta-4 engine takes the place of the 2.7-liter V-6 engine in the 2009 model and reduces fuel usage by 17%.  Exterior wise, Hyundai offered some new color choices for the 2010 models, put on new front and rear bumpers and wheels, to name a few. 

Whether you are looking for a mid-size sedan or crossover vehicle, the Chicago Santa Fe and Chicago Hyundai Sonata are two choices waiting for you at a nearby dealership.  And, the Assurance Program is an added bonus in case you need it.  Consider a Hyundai today!

This attractive auto was officially unveiled earlier this fall in Korea.  It has a sportier and sleek look that will most likely woo in the younger, hipper, 4 door sedan buyer versus other used Hyundai Chicago models.  The car is long and low and has an updated grill.  The whole structure of the car is very elegant looking, patterned off of the “fluidic sculpture” design that was first used on the Genesis Coupe. 

Also, the Chicago Hyundai Sonata will be more powerful on the roads.  It is said to be getting a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that packs more punch that the current four-cylinder mill found in the Hyundai brand. 

Currently, this newly updated model is being sold in Korea as a 2010 model, but most likely won’t be sold in the United States until 2011 at the earliest.  This is due to the fact that here in the US the Sonata’s received some modest upgrades for 2009 that are still doing well for the company. 

Hyundai is definitely an up and coming automotive company, providing it’s drivers quality vehicles that are priced right and safe to drive.  Your local dealer will have new Sonatas,as well as other great Chicago Hyundai used cars for sale now.

This Hyundai Illinois is the first in the world that can run on the liquified petroleum and is also able to run via lithium-ion polymer batteries. Some positive aspects of this type of battery are that it costs less to make, holds a higher density of energy, and is overall a more reliable battery. To include some facts on the LPI HEV model, this car boasts a 114 hp 1.6 L four-Cycling LPI engine with a 20 hp electric motor. One thing a driver will notice is that the Hyundai Illinois does not reach higher speeds as quickly as other luxury car models, due to the lower horse powered motor. But, it is still an exciting car to own!

In addition, the driver who travels approximately 12, 400 miles a year will save around $1,000 in gas costs by purchasing the Elantra LPI HEV versus a regular Elantra. In a time when we are all looking to save money, this is an added bonus to this exciting hybrid.

Soon to join LPI HEV Hyundai, is a Chicago Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that will be out in 2010. The makers for this car company are also excited about this model. Their ultimate goal is to make their hybrid cars more fuel efficient than Toyota and Honda by the year 2015. This will not be an easy feat to accomplish. The system that will be used in the Hyundai Sonata is called a parallel hybrid system. This means that the wheels are powered by the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or depending on the road conditions, both power sources can be used together. This model will also feature a lithium ion battery.

Please visit your local Hyundai store to check out these exciting hybrids and other Used Hyundai Chicago models.

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.