The serenity that occupants find themselves impressed with includes a wonderfully smooth ride that filters out harshness before it permeates the cabin. Smoothness comes at a price though; the suspension setup is on the soft side, which diminishes the Azera's handling ability.
This isn't the vehicle for buyers prioritizing sporty handling over ride comfort. For those less concerned with rapid-fire steering response and dead-flat cornering, and more concerned with driving comfort and ride quality, the Azera holds great promise.
Plenty of Lambda-generated performance
With 263-horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 257 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm, the Azera is not wanting for power, there's plenty on-tap. Acceleration off-the-line and on the highway is brisk. The engine never struggles and shows no weak points in its torque curve.
Considering the Azera's size and its commendable performance, fuel economy is remarkably good. It's rated at 12.2 and 7.8 liters per 100K of city and highway driving respectively. The onboard computer pegged my economy at 11.7L, which surprised me given my substantive right foot and the predominance of city driving of which my testing was comprised.
Azera value enhanced
A Hyundai hallmark is the over-delivery of content, which the Azera represents. In Canada, two trim lines are available: GLS and Limited. Both vehicles provide a comprehensive array of occupant protection, including front airbags, side-mounted airbags and roof-mounted side curtain airbags applicable to all outboard seating positions.
Standard content also includes stability control and traction control along with four-wheel antilock disc brakes. On the creature comfort side, premium audio, leather seating and a barrel full of accoutrements are included as standard equipment. Pretty much everything but a navigation system finds its way into the Azera Limited. Sadly, a navigation system is still not a Canadian-available Hyundai option.
The GLS is stickered at $35,995 while the Limited is pinned at $39,195. Those contemplating an Azera purchase may want to expedite such; my web-checking revealed a $5,000 cash back coupon applicable to the purchase of any 2008 Azera on a dealer's lot. This may make the Azera, today's best luxury-car buy - by far.
photo:Rob Rothwell
This isn't the vehicle for buyers prioritizing sporty handling over ride comfort. For those less concerned with rapid-fire steering response and dead-flat cornering, and more concerned with driving comfort and ride quality, the Azera holds great promise.
Plenty of Lambda-generated performance
With 263-horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 257 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm, the Azera is not wanting for power, there's plenty on-tap. Acceleration off-the-line and on the highway is brisk. The engine never struggles and shows no weak points in its torque curve.
 |
| The Azera has an engine of 263-horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 257 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm. |
Considering the Azera's size and its commendable performance, fuel economy is remarkably good. It's rated at 12.2 and 7.8 liters per 100K of city and highway driving respectively. The onboard computer pegged my economy at 11.7L, which surprised me given my substantive right foot and the predominance of city driving of which my testing was comprised.
Azera value enhanced
A Hyundai hallmark is the over-delivery of content, which the Azera represents. In Canada, two trim lines are available: GLS and Limited. Both vehicles provide a comprehensive array of occupant protection, including front airbags, side-mounted airbags and roof-mounted side curtain airbags applicable to all outboard seating positions.
Standard content also includes stability control and traction control along with four-wheel antilock disc brakes. On the creature comfort side, premium audio, leather seating and a barrel full of accoutrements are included as standard equipment. Pretty much everything but a navigation system finds its way into the Azera Limited. Sadly, a navigation system is still not a Canadian-available Hyundai option.
 |
| Standard content also includes stability control and traction control along with four-wheel antilock disc brakes. |
The GLS is stickered at $35,995 while the Limited is pinned at $39,195. Those contemplating an Azera purchase may want to expedite such; my web-checking revealed a $5,000 cash back coupon applicable to the purchase of any 2008 Azera on a dealer's lot. This may make the Azera, today's best luxury-car buy - by far.
photo:Rob Rothwell
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