‘Dollar Tree Has Adapters:’ Hyundai Sonata Driver Demands Answers After Noticing New Charging Port

'You bought a new car. Maybe it's time to buy a new charging cable?'

Photo by: Unsplash.com

By: Stacy Fernandez

Jun 28, 2025 at 5:00pm ET

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What started as a simple attempt to charge her device turned into a viral moment about how quickly technology can (and will) leave some people behind.

But the majority of commenters could not relate to this woman’s struggle, instead berating her for not keeping up with the times.

While the internet thinks she’s slow to the game, there are plenty of people in the same boat as her, because when you’re not chronically online, it can feel like the rules of tech are changing overnight.

Here’s what the woman had to say about the situation.

Woman Calls Out Hyundai for Changing Charging Ports

In a trending TikTok with more than 17,000 views, content creator Alysia (@alysiadestinie) was surprised to find out she was behind the times tech-wise, and she’s not happy about it.

“I have a question for Hyundai. When did the USB-C one become the main [port]? Why can’t I plug in my charger?” Alysia said about her USB charger.

In the clip, viewers can see that she has the kind of charger with a USB-C connector on one end and a traditional USB-A connector on the other. She was frustrated that her car had two USB-C ports instead of accommodating people like her who need at least one USB-A port.

“USB-C taking over the world,” she writes in the on-screen caption.

What’s Up With the USB-C Takeover?

After a long holdout from Apple, USB-C has become the new standard for charging and connecting devices, PCMag reports.

It used to be that each of your gadgets had the potential to have a different cable. Android phones had the micro-USB while Apple famously clung to its proprietary connector, and your camera, for example, may have had its own cable.

The lack of standardization was a pain. Your phone could be dying, and your friend pulls out a charger to help you, only to find out you don’t have the same ports. You have a pile of cords in a junk drawer, but none of them are what you need.

That’s why the USB-C was introduced as an industry standard for transmitting both data and power. It was developed and championed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), which has more than 700 member companies, including giants like Apple, Dell, HP, Microsoft, and Samsung.

Now, several governments, both local and national, like the European Union, India, and the state of California, require new devices to support USB-C, according to PCMag.

Why Won’t Alysia Just Get a New Charger?

“Today I learned that I am dumb and broke,” Alysia said in a follow-up video in reference to the many rude comments she got on her video about not knowing about USB-C.

“I’m behind on the times, though, because I do not buy the latest and greatest technology,” Alysia said.

Alysia explained that she had an iPhone 8 for several years, switched to an 11 only because her mom had gifted it to her, and recently upgraded to a 13 out of necessity because her phone had been stolen. So, she’s always several years behind on the latest technology.

“I use my phone until I can no longer use my phone,” Alysia said.

On top of that, she still uses the laptop she bought in 2019 for $400. Despite it starting to fall apart, Alysia said she won’t get a new one until it’s absolutely necessary.

“I grew up with a single mom, and I grew up with a grandfather who went through the Great Depression … and so we were taught that you use things until you literally cannot use them anymore,” she shared.

Commenters React

“Change hurts but usb c is so much better,” a top comment read.

“Your car is new and your charger is old,” a second person stated plainly.

“Because the new 30 to 50k car should come with modern ports. Your old 10 dollar cable isn't the concern, go buy a new 10 dollar cable,” another wrote.

What do you think?

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Comments

“Gal we fought for usb c.. let’s deal with universal thing. I don’t want million chargers for million things,” a commenter pointed out.

Motor1 reached out to Alysia for comment via TikTok direct message and comment.