Interior
Inside the Azera, you'll find a spacious and well-furnished area, with attractive cloth and good-textured plastic. I'm not crazy about the beige and brown colour mix in this test car, but they're split by a strip of convincing fake wood. The fit and finish seems impeccable. I have to divert my eyes from the road while I fiddle with the ventilation controls, and that
bugs me; these buttons are almost all the same dimension. The sound system is adequate without being breathtaking, but I would've liked to have buttons mounted on the steering wheel to switch songs or radio stations, as well as volume control.
A good driving position is easy to find. The power driver's seat includes an adjustable lumbar support. There is a little shortage of lateral support, but the seats will perfectly fit most people interested in this type of sedan. Space in front is generous.
As for the rear bench seat, there is also a large quantity of space. Legroom is impressive, and headroom is ample. The bench is comfortable for two, but a third person sitting in the middle will probably hope that ride won't last too long; the fold-down armrest is to blame since it spoils the comfort of the seatback.
And how about that trunk... it's huge! In addition, the opening is large and high, which makes loading big objects easy.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Azera is a serious warning to the competition. At $34,495, it's very well equipped, and this car shows us just how the Koreans can now go head-to-head with Japanese and American brands. The Chrysler 300, the Ford Five Hundred, the Lexus ES 350, the Lincoln Zephyr and the Toyota Avalon will have to be cautious of this big Korean sedan. As for Buick and its Lucerne, GM's division should rapidly realize that its very existence is threatened... by a Hyundai. Ouch!
What I like:
Great powertrain
Spacious interior
Trunk space
What I don't like:
Heavy fuel consumption
Center seat in back lacks comfort
Minor radio and ventilation control issues
CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Hyundai Azera's specifications.
Inside the Azera, you'll find a spacious and well-furnished area, with attractive cloth and good-textured plastic. I'm not crazy about the beige and brown colour mix in this test car, but they're split by a strip of convincing fake wood. The fit and finish seems impeccable. I have to divert my eyes from the road while I fiddle with the ventilation controls, and that
 |
| 2006 Hyundai Azera (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
A good driving position is easy to find. The power driver's seat includes an adjustable lumbar support. There is a little shortage of lateral support, but the seats will perfectly fit most people interested in this type of sedan. Space in front is generous.
As for the rear bench seat, there is also a large quantity of space. Legroom is impressive, and headroom is ample. The bench is comfortable for two, but a third person sitting in the middle will probably hope that ride won't last too long; the fold-down armrest is to blame since it spoils the comfort of the seatback.
And how about that trunk... it's huge! In addition, the opening is large and high, which makes loading big objects easy.
Conclusion
 |
| 2006 Hyundai Azera (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
What I like:
Great powertrain
Spacious interior
Trunk space
What I don't like:
Heavy fuel consumption
Center seat in back lacks comfort
Minor radio and ventilation control issues
CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Hyundai Azera's specifications.
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