Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik rolled out the 2012 Hyundai Azera to a packed house at the Hyundai booth this morning. The car, besides offering best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 mpg and 293 hp, looks good.
Slotting into the Hyundai lineup between the Sonata and Genesis, the front-wheel-drive Azera capitalizes on the best elements of the company's fluidic sculpture design language. And when we say "capitalizes," we mean it's not even remotely homely -- from any angle. Probably the most striking design feature is the character line that emerges above the rear door handle and stretches to become the trunk lid. It gives the car prominent rear haunches and presence.
The 3.3-liter gasoline direct-injected V6 offers the highest specific output in the large sedan segment and is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Its torque output of 255 pound-feet -- impressive for an engine this size -- doesn't arrive until 5,200 rpm. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 19-inch wheels are optional.
Inside there's standard navigation, Bluetooth and leather as well as front and rear heated seats. There are nine airbags including a driver's knee airbag. Hyundai's BlueLink telematics service, which includes POI Web search, turn-by-turn navigation, voice text messaging and monthly vehicle reporting, is also included in a 90-day trial period.
bimmerjay says:
12:11 PM, 11/16/11
This car's already been on sale in Korea for at least a year as the Hyundai Grandeur. I've ridden in one, nice car - though it looks like the U.S. version is slightly decontented (unless the car in the photos isn't fully-equipped).
ptcdawg says:
12:11 PM, 11/16/11
I don't see the point.
ed124c says:
12:29 PM, 11/16/11
Nice looking car. Any idea about the price?
jjacquot says:
12:44 PM, 11/16/11
Pricing is not available yet, but the car goes on sale in February.
-Josh
bmaple says:
01:33 PM, 11/16/11
ptcdawg says:
12:11 PM, 11/16/11
I don't see the point
The point is Front Wheel Drive where the Genesis is RWD. V-6 where the Sonata is a 4. Look out Maxima!! Gorgeous. It looks like the Sonata, only better.
carguy622 says:
01:49 PM, 11/16/11
That rear hip line is very Buick, looks like a nice car though, and the interior is a huge step in the right direction compared to the current car.
ptcdawg says:
02:20 PM, 11/16/11
I guess I need to say I don't see the point in FWD. Don't they make enough Camry's/Accords/Sonota's?
carguy622 says:
02:28 PM, 11/16/11
@ptcdawg: Well there are plenty of people who buy Maximas, Avalons, and Taurii, so Hyundai wants a piece of that market.
j2j says:
02:59 PM, 11/16/11
Aside from the grill, it's a pretty nice design (seems like the USDM interior/dash isn't as nice as the KDM model).
As for pricing, it's supposed to start at $32K (right around where the Avalon starts), but comes pretty fully loaded (leather/heated seats, nav, back-up camera, etc.)
As for "what's the point" - what's the point of the Maxima, Taurus, Avalon and Impala (nevermind the ES)?
The Azera is quite more luxurious than the Sonata and comes with a V6 powerplant which the Sonata (unlike many of its competitors) does not offer.
72roadrunner says:
06:14 PM, 11/16/11
I like it. And I think I just figured out why. They are using the taillights from my 2011 Optima SX.
mk40 says:
05:44 AM, 11/17/11
Not crazy about the roof line for a sedan in this mainstream full size segment... looks kind of compromise regarding headroom in back. But if people here ooooing and ahhhing over it and it gets attention then maybe other automaker need to follow suit, but I hate having to slouch in back or have the seat positioned in a less than optimal orientation to compensate... It is suppose to be a roomy mainstream 4dr sedan rather than a niche product. Looks good though... really sleek and it's neat how they wrapped the integrated desk lid spoiler into the rear fender flair. Kind of reminds me of some classic cars that had a lot of flair to them. I like the roofline of the Equus better... more practical and still looks good.
The interior is light years ahead of the old one and upscale in a Lexus kind of way.
drhorrible says:
05:54 AM, 11/17/11
Any chance of a KIA version?
wrinklebump says:
05:59 AM, 11/17/11
the haunches have been on the grandeur since the last generation, but it obviously looks better on this model since it was you know actually designed, unlike the previous iterations of the car. the interior of the korea-spec model looks a bit clusmier than the showroom car.
in any case, it's better looking than the genesis.
cr_driver says:
11:56 AM, 11/17/11
Looking good indeed.
As for the rear haunches, give me these over the haunches of the E class any day.
twistedrider says:
01:36 PM, 11/17/11
drhorrible says:
"Any chance of a KIA version?"........If you think this is a looker, feast your eyes on the 2013 Kia
Cadenza.....here's the link:
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/car-releases/kia/2013-kia-cadenza-preview?artid=132212
hpepper_high says:
02:19 PM, 11/20/11
looks awesome .