2006 Azera sets standard as Hyundai flagship

We were an unusual sight: four guys in an Asian import, on a Christmas shopping trip. Two of us were over 6 feet tall and needed the front seats moved all the way back. Even the trunk was crammed to the brim in the true spirit of holiday gift giving. Were we cramped and crowded? Not a bitÉ even the rear-seaters had plenty of leg room. Were we hot and uncomfortable? NopeÉ we had dual climate control, a powered rear window sun shade, rear seat air vents, variable seat heaters, and comfortable leather seats with adjustable headrests all around. Everyone had a fold-down center armrest, cup holder and individual reading lamps.

Were we in a $50-thousand luxury import? Absolutely not! Although we had a telescope/tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 263-horsepower engine, active head restrains, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, power sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, power front seats and a windshield wiper deicer, our beautiful black chariot was priced at less than $30,000! We were test-driving Hyundai's latest incarnation, the new full-size Azera, the replacement for the recently retired XG-350. As the flagship of the Hyundai line, the Azera, from the French word "azure," represents "blue skies ahead" for the Korean automaker. Hyundai hopes that the Azera will be a worthy competitor in the upscale sedan market.

To that end, its styling is reminiscent of some familiar luxury cars. It has the raised trunk lid of a BMW, known as the "Bangle butt", and the long hood popularized by American luxury cars. To many folks the interior is the most important part, and the luxury theme is carefully carried throughout here, too. Starting with the wood and leather trimmed steering wheel, and continuing through to the comfortable leather seats and wood trimmed instrument panel, the Azera has the look and feel of a Toyota Avalon or even a Lexus.

On the Road

Hyundai reportedly designed the Azera for a driving experience midway between the cushy Avalon and the sporty Nissan Maxima. But I found the ride to be more plush than sporty. The independent four-wheel suspension, even heavily loaded with four adults and a full trunk, did not feel overburdened. In the power department, the 263-horsepower V6 engine and five-speed transmission were more than adequate for the task. Hyundai estimates zero to sixty acceleration at around 6.5 seconds. The powertrain was smooth and silent at highway speeds, and could easily conquer long upgrades without straining or requiring a downshift. We tested the Azera on a blustery day, but the passenger cabin was serene. Strong crosswinds had no effect. The steering was precise; road holding was excellent.

In the front seats my six-foot-four co-tester had no trouble finding a comfortable driving position thanks to the telescoping steering column and 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. The passenger seat was four-way adjustable. Adjustable pedals are available. A trip computer kept track of the average gas mileage, outside temperature and mileage covered. A two-level center console provided comfortable arm support and storage, while damped hand grabs were mounted at all four window positions. Rear-seaters enjoyed their own center armrest with storage and cupholders. Two adjustable air vents, a powered rear window sunshade, and perfectly positioned and proportioned head rests lent to the atmosphere of luxurious comfort.

Hyundai paid particular attention to the safety aspect of it new creation. Front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags are standard equipment, as are front and rear side-curtain airbags. Head restraints in the front are the active type. Anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution are on board, as is electronic stability control. The Azera rides on 17-inch wheels and has front and rear stabilizer bars. Power rack-and-pinion steering is speed sensitive, as are the windshield wipers. The wipers also feature a deicer.

The Azera comes in two trim levels, SE and Limited. My test vehicle was a Limited, and had a base price of $26835. Equipped with the $1540 premium package that included a sunroof, Infinity sound system and wheel locks, the total price came to $29,035. It's hard to imagine someone considering a $111,000 BMW 760i sedan being interested in an Azera, but just the same, Hyundai included it and a Mercedes-Benz S350 sedan in its comparison charts. Although the Azera has a significantly shorter wheelbase, it somehow manages to offer more headroom, more front and rear legroom, and about the same amount of cargo volume.

It also bests the competition in the warranty department. Hyundai's basic warranty beats the European competition by a full year and 10, 000 miles, while the powertrain warranty beats them by five years and 50,000 miles.