After sitting in the back of our long-term Hyundai Azera recently, I realized why rear-seat comfort is a reason why someone should consider buying a family sedan instead of the increasingly popular choice of a crossover SUV. Thanks to plenty of thigh support and legroom, decent lumbar support and contoured cushions, the Azera's seat passes my personal, "can I foresee myself falling asleep back here?" test.
In contrast, many crossovers share a dirty little secret. Their second-row seats, in meeting the modern goal of folding/flipping/packaging nirvana, are flat, hard, and as figet-inducing as wedged-up underwear...
The Azera might not have all-wheel drive and a boxy cargo hold, but for a vehicle that frequently transports adults for extended periods, I'd glady choose Hyundai's flagship.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor, 11,622 miles
billt9 says:
04:44 PM, 04/30/07
I don't know about that.
The Rav 4, Santa Fe, Murano, Acadia, CX-9, Edge, Outlander, all have comfortable, reclining rear seats.
The Acadia gets 2nd row captain's chairs.
I don't know if the CR-V reclines, but it sure is plush (at the expense of foldability.)
Don't know if the Mercury Mariner recliners either, but it's got leather and Alcantara seats.
The CX-7 is the only non-recliner, but it's plush too.
The only flat bench I see would be the Equinox, although it is still reclining, and has class leading legroom.
The Nitro is blasphemy to crossoverhood. I can't believe it exists.
I think the "crossover" you have in your mind are last gens, such as the last gen Escape, and the 2005-2006 Equinox.
You may also be confusing your past experiences with torture chamber antiquities, such as the Trailblazer.
Large sedans have advantages in fuel economy, and more legroom compared to some crossovers.
mikemir87 says:
09:22 PM, 04/30/07
The Element, like mine, has rear reclining seats, infact it all folds into a bed....
and i cant think of any vehicle that has more leg room in the back...It definitly would pass your sleeping test i'd think...
billt9 says:
10:06 PM, 04/30/07
Now if you're willing to step up the comparison to luxury crossovers, HA! No comparison.
Lexus RX, Acura MDX, BMW X5, MB ML, GL... the ultimate back seats.
jaymagic says:
06:14 AM, 05/ 1/07
Of course for the difference in price between many of these and the Azera, you might buy a second Azera and let the other two people sit in the nice front seat.
bromans says:
09:30 AM, 05/ 1/07
There's more to seat comfort than just legroom and a reclining seat back. Thigh support and cushion firmness and contouring are equally important for long-duration comfort. Alas, those qualities typically suffer when a seat has to be made to fold flat efficiently.
I've spent plenty of time with our long-term Edge and RAV4, and the rear seats in those vehicles are definitely not as comfortable as the Azera's. -- Brent Romans
kurtdaniel says:
01:56 AM, 02/ 1/08
I test drove the Premium model last year and I must say I was rather impressed. Little slow sometimes to shiftdown the gears when deccelerating rapidly but still an amazing little machine nontheless. I settled for the Lexus ES350 w/Acme Headliners Coupe Headliner though, for speed purposes.
Totally agree with your critique of the interior, seats, and handling. I also found the ride unsettled.