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Hyundai Azera – Driving Impressions:
Hyundai nudged Toyota to rank third behind Porsche and Lexus in a recent initial quality study performed by J.D. Power and Associates. Many industry insiders were surprised by this news, and the majority of consumers were stunned. After all, Hyundai has been synonymous with cheap wheels since the Excel debuted in 1986 only to begin malfunctioning and rusting before Ronald Reagan left the Oval Office. That was then, this is now. Today, a scant 20 years later and little more than half a decade after Hyundai introduced a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that instilled confidence in consumers willing to overlook the automaker’s tarnished brand for an unbeatable value, the Koreans have surpassed most of the domestic brands and are breathing down the necks of Honda, Nissan and Toyota. For proof, one need look no further than the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon, the 2005 Hyundai Tucson, the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, and now, the new Hyundai Azera.
Serving as the Hyundai flagship, the Azera is the most luxurious car that the Korean automaker has ever sold in the U.S. Aiming to offer the roominess and luxury of cars that cost much more while delivering excellent value and segment leading safety, Hyundai’s press release on the new sedan says: “We designed Azera to defy the conventional laws of luxury.” Based on a week-long test drive, we’d say they’re revising the laws, if not rewriting them altogether. Hyundai offers the Azera in two trim levels: SE and Limited. Both models are equipped with an aluminum 3.8-liter V6 with continuously variable valve timing and which makes 263 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. Hyundai is quick to point out that the engine’s timing chain requires no maintenance, and that the Azera receives a ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) emissions rating. A five-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control delivers power to the front wheels, which measure 16 inches in diameter on the SE and 17 inches on the Limited. SE models ride on 225/60 tires, while the Limited gets slightly wider and lower profile rubber sized 235/55. Guided by an engine speed-sensing power rack-and-pinion steering system, the wheels are suspended with sophisticated double-wishbones in front and a conventional multi-link arrangement in back. Gas-charged shocks and stabilizer bars are tuned to deliver what Hyundai calls “precise steering and handling, and a well-controlled yet comfortable ride.” The four-wheel-disc antilock braking system includes electronic brake-force distribution.
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