Car Reviews And News.com

2007 Hyundai Azera Limited

The Good :)Sleek and stylish exterior. Clean flowing interior with high quality materials and deep glossy wood trim.  Silent engine. 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds.

The Bad :(Steering is very light without much road feel.  Soft seats are not supportive.  Slushy ride is not good at fast highway speeds. 

Hyundai offers a total of four sedans with the 2007 Azera being the largest and most luxurious of them all.  Since its establishment in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company has grown to become Korea's largest automobile manufacturer with a sales network extending to 193 countries.  In 2004, Hyundai passed a major milestone with the export of its 10 millionth car.  Furthermore, Hyundai has recently invested over $1 billion in their first assembly plant on U.S. soil.  The new plant in Montgomery, Alabama, will initially produce the new 2007 Sonata and Santa Fe models. 

In the US, Hyundai is showing strong gains in popularity as reflected in various surveys.  Hyundai is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate in the 2006 Initial Quality Study and is ranked third among all nameplates.  Hyundai owners had fewer problems with their vehicles than any other non-premium car or truck brand, more reason to test drive a Hyundai.  Recently it has showed off some major styling changes offering a concept car that looks amazing and promises performance as well. 

"Outperforming incredibly outstanding competitors at their own game for the first time is a major milestone for Hyundai," said Owen Koh, Hyundai's President and CEO. "This (quality study) ranking demonstrates what tremendous strides we have made in quality, especially with an almost entirely new model lineup."

The all new Azera is perhaps Hyundai's crown jewel. It's the most luxurious sedan they have ever produced and it aims to propel Hyundai into the larger full-size category that is dominated by cars like the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima and the Ford Taurus.  Hyundai initially established themselves in the US market with small and mid-size cars.  The Azera puts the more lucrative full size car market in Hyundai's crosshairs.  Costing about $3,000 less than a Avalon and providing more airbags as well as stability control, not to mention the soft leather and beautiful interior style, the Azera shows us what free competition can deliver in the automotive market.  In the Azera, you get the luxury of a Lexus ES at a much lower cost when comparing every feature side by side. 

While our test car was a 2007 model, the 2008 Azera GLS has been upgraded to include 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with 235/55VR17 tires and bodycolor rocker panels. The GLS Premium Package receives leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a power sunroof.  The 2008 Azera Limited comes with standard side mirror turn signal indicators, power sunroof and a powerful 315-watt Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/MP3 audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers.  Azera upgrades also include an enhanced suspension for all models and an all-new LG in-dash navigation system to the long list of amenities available on the 2008 Azera Limited.  The LG navigation system provides coverage for the continental United States and includes touch screen functionality, audio and visual prompts and point-of-interest features for all entertainment needs.  This new 2008 model should be in dealerships as we go to print. 

The Azera's exterior design is elegant and polished with good use of chrome providing a high end feel.  The front end is streamlined and unique with triple beamed headlamps, a smooth flowing bumper, and a bulging hood with recessed fenders.  A more muscular look is achieved by having stylish rear fenders that flare out, reminding us of Italian sports cars.  Hyundai designers have made a tall cabin to provide more interior room as well.  Large 17-inch wheels and P235/55VR tires are noticeable as you walk up to the Azera.  Chrome trim is also used nicely from the front bumper and grille to the window trim and doors.  The rear end is especially stylish as Hyundai has given the Azera a unique look.  A BMW-like rear trunk lid with multi beam LED tail lamps and dual exhaust tips on a very clean and rounded bumper looks just great.  The exterior styling is very well done and we commend Hyundai on a job well done. 

A fine job was done designing the interior of the Azera as well, giving drivers an elegant, comfortable, and spacious feeling.  We liked the flowing wood encircling you in the driver's seat.  A dashboard that slopes away from you gives you a sense of peace and relaxation.  We also liked the use of leather on the door panels and the soft leather look trim used throughout the cabin instead of hard plastic.  Hyundai has done a great job of putting quality storage areas inside as well with soft velvet lined compartments and sturdy feeling arm rests.  There is plenty of room for rear seat passengers as well, with at total of 38 inches of legroom.  The feeling inside the cabin of the Azera is similar to that found in premium sedans from Lexus or Mercedes. 

            When comfort and luxury is the driving force behind interior design, making a driver's seat that is power adjustable in many ways is something you just cannot live without.  In the Azera you are able to sit in an optimum cradle position with some lower back support as well.  Front seats are also heated with dual five position heat switches.  A downward slanting armrest up front looks very appealing to the eye and holds buttons for windows and mirrors as well as door locks at an optimal position.  The two front windows are one-touch up and down, a useful feature, while the rear window switches must be held down.  The elegant glossy wood and leather trimmed shift lever is surrounded by a plastic material made to look like aluminum which is probably the only cheap feeling part in the Azera.  A rear window shade switch is also located here to block sun for rear seat passengers and it automatically lowers when the driver moves in reverse gear and then again rises up when you shift to drive.  The addition of side window shades for the rear cabin would be a welcome feature while at the same time providing an exclusive environment for rear seat passengers.  The grab bars on the roof are all soft closing.  Lights are surrounded by soft plastic and you cannot see the bulbs inside the lights.  All plastic parts are made to look like leather for a better appearance. 

An Infinity audio system with 10 speakers and 315 watts of power gives excellent rich sound.  Volume control is speed sensitive and a 6-disc in dash CD/MP3 changer and a cassette deck is included.  Lacking is an easy to use input jack for an iPod.  The speaker quality is good but most of the sound seems to come from the front zone of the car even when balanced correctly.  We would have liked a system with DSP for better surround sound experience.

The simple and easy to use dual zone climate control system sits just below the stereo.  The fully electronic system is intuitive; there is no dial to turn, and it features automatic air recirculation.  All buttons for the climate control feel good and are styled like the stereo system.  In our test the system was quiet and noise free.  We found its automatic air filter to turn on recirculation quite often making us wonder what kind of smog it was detecting as we drove through the country.  Perhaps a big smog sign will make us more aware of our environment instead of the airbag-off sign on the dash.  Air vents are also designed nicely and can fully close like your window blinds.  The use of solar glass all around is also very appealing because we live in a high UV area.  A simple digital clock at the top of the dash should be changed to be more elegant watch like the one found in an Infinity Q or the new Mercedes S-Class. Also the large letters displaying that the passenger airbag is off is not necessary all the time.  

Special attention has been paid to other interior details, such as the enhanced electroluminescent cluster display which is new for 2007 and steering wheel audio control functions.  Other unexpected luxury appointments available are rain-sensing wipers, power adjustable foot pedals, power folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators and LED tail lights on the Limited version.  Headlights are automatic and we would have liked to see a Bi-Xenon system on this vehicle as it is an important advancement in the automobile that every car should now have. 

The ergonomic nature of the doors is quite good with window switches that are positioned just under your fingers as you rest your arm on the door.  The slight downward curve of the armrest is also a nice feature that we first saw on a BMW 7-series and VW Phaeton a few years back.  The front cabin seats are very soft and flat with minimal thigh support.  They do not offer any support to keep in you place when you drive fast through curves.  Interior noise levels become noticeable only when you go over 75 mph.  Rear seats fold in a 60/40 fashion when you need to carry long items.  The small third quarter windows add a nice touch for good visibility all around for rear seat passengers.  The trunk is spacious and deep making for lots of room for all your goodies. 

The Azera features a powerful 3.8-liter all-aluminum DOHC V6 engine producing 263-horsepower and 257 lb.-ft. of torque.  As the first member of Hyundai's 'Lambda' engine family, this engine has all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for a very broad power spread.  It also features a Variable Intake System (VIS) that further broadens its power curve to improve the vehicle's off-the-line acceleration and passing performance.  This is mated to a manually shiftable 5-speed automatic transmission (called Shiftronic) which is also driver adaptive and changes over time to your driving habits.  Good steering response is provided by a power-assisted, speed-sensing, rack-and-pinion steering system.  We were extremely pleased with the level of refinement in the Azera.

Turn the key and you will be impressed by how silent the engine is.  In fact, the car is so silent that you might mistake it for a hybrid.  Power delivery is great with the high horsepower V6.  The amount of power is controlled nicely with the pedal, not being too jerky.  The driving experience is further enhanced by the thick leather and wood steering wheel which many automakers forget.  The tactile response to a good steering wheel is amazing.  The ride overall is luxurious and supple, not at all sporty or uncomfortable.  The quiet ride and low noise levels inside also adds to the feeling of luxury.

The feeling behind the wheel is good thanks to the soft suspension; however, this only works well when you are on smooth roads.  The minute you hit bumpy and uneven roads the car jolts around and you beg for a firmer suspension so you can control it better.  The body rolls and moves too much in every day driving making the driver feel as if he is not in control at times.  We need more steering input and more feel, less slush.  Vibrations and noise should not enter the cabin from the wheels where we think they are making their way into the cabin.  The Azera has a look of a solid car both inside and out, however we also want it to handle like that, otherwise the package is not 100% perfect.  Hyundai did address the soft suspension issue on the upcoming 2008 models.

Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering class leading safety technology, the 2008 Azera boasts impressive active and passive safety features to protect its occupants in the event of a collision, earning the vehicle the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) top crash test ratings for frontal offset impacts. The Azera continues to set standards by making key life-saving active safety technology standard, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with a Traction Control System (TCS). Also standard are independent double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, large four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, providing maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake performance even with differing vehicle loading.

            Additionally, the Azera offers impressive passive safety features, including eight standard airbags, active front head restraints to help prevent whiplash, a child seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system and three-point seatbelts for all positions.  Shingle-style rear seat head restraints provide drivers with improved visibility. Security is further advanced with an anti-theft engine immobilizer and remote keyless entry with alarm.

The exceptional warranty of all Hyundai's is another reason to buy the Azera.  A 5-year or 60,000 mile new vehicle warranty covers everything.  It is rare to find such a warranty, even from cars costing thousands more.  Furthermore, there's a 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.  A 7-year and unlimited mileage anti-perforation warranty along with 5-years of roadside assistance which makes this America's best warranty. 

            Our Limited edition Azera costs $27,335.  Thick carpeted floor mats added $95.  With a freight charge of $695 our total as tested price came to $28,125.  Our test car has 3% of its parts coming from the US and Canada and 97% of its parts coming from Korea.  The final assembly point is Asan, Korea, and both engine and transmission parts come from Korea. 

The Hyundai Azera is the finest car in Hyundai's lineup.  It offers a high level of luxury combined with a strong engine.  The Azera makes you feel as if you are driving a $50,000 sedan.  The Azera will put a smile on your face whenever you pull up next to a Mercedes or Lexus.  You will know that you purchased a car that is comparable in luxury, performance and refinement for much less.  For 2008 a better suspension is added therefore we suggest you test drive a 2008 model year only.  Hyundai's quality rankings and extra long warranty also give you a compelling reason to go straight to the Hyundai dealer next time you think about buying a new car.  Visit Hyundaiusa.com for more information.

Car Reviews And News.com

Shop at Autosupermart.com:

 

More Info

More Info

More Info

More Info

More Info

More Info

Talk about this car and other cars on our message board with other car fans like you. click here

To sign up to receive new car updates and reviews as well as some coupons for our site, click here

Do you want to see what parts and accessories are made specifically for this vehicle today? click here. 

Copyright © 2007 Autosupermart.com Carreviewsandnews.com