Hyundai Azera Wins Forbes.Com Award As The '' Best Luxurious Car For A Non-Luxury Price''

Forbes.com has named the all-new Hyundai Azera as its selection as the 'Best Luxurious Car for a Non-Luxury Price' in the 2006 "Best Cars for the Bucks" listing. Forbes.com editors praised the Azera's powerful engine,

(Photo: Hyundai)

styling, interior volume and other standard upscale amenities, offered at a sticker price well below other premium brands.

"Azera is our premium offering - with segment-leading standard safety technologies like Electronic Stability Control and eight airbags, a clean, fuel-efficient, powerful 3.8L V6 engine, and a bigger passenger cabin than the BMW 760i," said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada. "This recognition by Forbes.com, along with AutoPacific recently awarding Azera the Vehicle Satisfaction Award for a large car and the naming by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) of the Azera as Canada's "Best New Family Car Over $35,000", clearly

(Photo: Hyundai)

demonstrates that we have successfully raised the value bar for customers in all vehicle segments."

Starting at under $35,000, the Azera offers the most standard safety technologies in its class, including eight airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System. The vehicle features a powerful 263-horsepower, 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine, and other luxurious appointments such as dual-zone climate control, leather interior and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 capabilities. Azera buyers also receive one of the finest warranties in the industry - a 5-year/100,000km Comprehensive Limited Warranty, 5-year/100,000km Powertrain Warranty and a 3-year/Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Program.

In compiling this year's list of the best deals, the editors at Forbes.com evaluated vehicles based on sticker price and the level of power, comfort, safety and accident-avoidance technology, reliability and build quality.

The Toyota Avalon and Buick Lucerne CXL were also ranked second and third respectively as Best Luxurious Car for a Non-luxury Price.

Hyundai Auto Canada, headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a division of Hyundai Motor America whose parent company is the Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea. Hyundai automobiles and sports utility vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced by over 600 retailers nationwide.