This week we drive the 2012 Hyundai Azera.
If you can get over the engine (and I can), then the Azera is an excellent big sedan. Its ride balances being smooth and quiet without feeling completely detached from the road like a Toyota Avalon or Buick Lacrosse. Wind and road noise are well controlled, as well.
Hyundai has done with the Azera what it did with the Sonata, Genesis, and Equus. It’s built a car that is exceptionally styled, packed with technology and standard features, and bestowed with a comfortable, quality driving character. Considering the last-generation Azera’s anonymity, this new car represents a significant leap forward for Korea’s largest car manufacturer.
While part of our team is off driving the new Azera (keep an eye out for our review, coming later this month), Hyundai has announced pricing for this second-generation sedan.
Hyundai is expected to reveal the 2013 Santa Fe crossover at the upcoming New York Auto Show this April, but until then, take a look at these leaked photos spotted on Hyundai-Blog of what is claimed to be the refreshed Santa Fe.
Hyundai has unveiled the 2012 Azera sedan at the LA Auto Show today. It features a new 3.3-liter engine with direct injection, producing 293 horspower. It also achieves a combined 23 miles per gallon.
No, the Hyundai Azera isn’t the sexiest or most important car at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, but we don’t mind. It still looks like a very competent entry-level luxury sedan, and if it drives anything like the current Azera, it’ll be relatively uninspired, but still rather good.
With all of the hype surrounding the Hyundai Genesis and the all-new 2011 Sonata, it’s easy to forget that the relatively well-received Azera is still sitting on dealer lots. And while we’re still waiting for an all-new model to come forth, the Toyota Avalon of Hyundais does get a few improvements for the 2011 model year.
The next-generation Hyundai Azera is in winter testing, giving our spy shooter an opportunity to catch the new prototype in action.