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2013 Kia D-class
With a 2013 Kia Forte sedan and 5-door hatch on the horizon too? There will be 2 new models pulling U.S. consumers into Kia dealerships this summer.
We'll see.
"I thought the new Azera was supposed to compete well with the Lexus ES."
osaka75, sorry to spoil your feelings, but Azera doesn't compete with Lexus (ES).
Azera competes with Avalon, Maxima, and Lacross.
http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/27/10489177-finally-hyundai-azera-- is-ready-for-prime-time
"Among front-wheel-drive mainstream brands it matches up against the Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon and in the near-luxury segment it contends with the Acura TL, Buick LaCrosse, and Lexus ES350. Judged in isolation, these are all impressive cars, and the rear-drive Chrysler 300 is another member of this otherwise front-drive group."
Based on the price points and equipment on the base models, I still believe that Azera is meant to compete with the ES350. And I think it will steal at least a few Lexus customers.
Anyway, great article! Look forward to many more positive reviews.
Hyundai had one of the larger display areas at the show and the Azera was well positioned and seemed to be drawing the majority of the over forty crowd, while the Veloster was the hit of the younger set.
The display model was the top of the line with all options and I especially liked the interior design and layout including the upgraded leather seating and other appointments as compared to my '07 Limited. The seats seemed comfortable with good overall visibility.
Not quite sure if I am a huge fan yet of the look of the panoramic sunroof and wind deflector and as others have already noted it seems strange that this option is only available with the $4000 Tech package, while navigation is standard equipment.
Overall I really liked the new exterior design with the exception of the fact that the front end is almost identical to the Sonata.
According the the Hyundai reps at the show, we can expect a major launch in April (pushed back from February). Let's hope that they do it right this time and not ignore it as they have in the past!
Good review for what I'm sure is a very good car. Came in at 3,600 pounds too, a bit lower than preliminary estimates.
One thing's is certain, if you buy one you won't be seeing your car at every stoplight. The $33k to $37k price will ensure that.
Now for the big new 2013 Kia sedan rumored to come in with the 200HP 2.4 GDI mill, 3,500 pounds at the curb, and $27k on the window. That one we might be seeing a lot of......
IMO, you can talk platforms all you want, but two vehicles from the same platform can be very different. The Lincoln MKT is on the same platform as the Ford Flex, but the vehicles are worlds apart...or the Pontiac G8 and the Camaro...or the Saab 9-3 and the Chevy Malibu...
As an '06 Azera owner, I was initially put off by the price increase for the '13 Azera, but when I saw the pics and read the specs with increased content, I must say the car looks to be very sweet. I believe the increased content and price were necessary to perfectly split the gap between the Sonata and Genesis.
Now the Hyundai/Kia marketing gurus are smarter than I am. I believe they are upping the ante on the Azera to make more room for the Cadenza (or whatever name they use for the Kia model) and better differentiate their two makes. Kia also has a quasi-Genesis flagship model coming to the U.S. Dubbed the K9 elsewhere, it will get a new model name when it arrives here within a year.
Regardless of price, though, if you live where it snows regularly, the Azera would be a pretty easy pick over the RWD 3.8 Genesis.
I never use my sunroof, so the base model would be fine for me. :confuse:
Does this mean the Azera has the truck-like ride of the Genesis or the comfortable ride of the Equus with air springs?
Their pricing is off.......
BD
Very descriptive and true!
Supposed to be FWD and RWD Kia models in the works a la Azera and Genesis. Early photos are promising with more formal yet athletic profiles.
I believe the Kia price points will be a notch under Hyundai levels and more in my ballpark.
Some time when you are going down the freeway, look at the cars. They are all Black, white or Grey. I have a white Azera and was tired of the color about 1 year after I bought it. Next time I want a nice color, probably blue but I would love to be able to actually look at the red and brown. I fear no dealer will order these colors, which would be too bad.I'm afraid I still yearn for my Lime green 1972 240Z!
My guess is when the 2012 azeras come in, they will all be black. Maybe when I am in my own funeral...
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There is little question that Hyundai has set their sights high with the pricing on the new Azera. People used to buy Hyundai for price/warranty. Price is less of factor now since they are comparable to the competition, not below it (in most cases).
I wonder if dealers will have mostly base models or the loaded ones.Myself, I could do without the sun roof.
Here is the link. Buick should drop the row for Bluetooth phone because they have a seperate row for Bluetooth Phone and Radio that now covers it. I can stream wireless audio from my cell phone, the car's phone, or the AM/FM/XM radio.
Lacrosse Bluetooth After this link loads, click on "Interior" tab at that top and scroll down. You'll see it is standard.
Out in the real world, the Azera is proof positive that Hyundai has made strides -- albeit small ones -- to improve chassis dynamics. The ride, while not as coddling as that of an ES, comes across about as firm as a TL's and strikes a nice balance between luxury and sport, though over coarse pavement it's still a bit busy. Surprisingly, under aggressive cornering, the Azera exhibits sharp turn-in and moderate body roll, both of which are rather uncommon for the segment. (Credit the SACHS continuously variable dampers.)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1202_2012_hyundai_azera_first_test/
In regards to the two posts above, the MT writer made this salient point: "Out in the real world, the Azera is proof positive that Hyundai has made strides -- albeit small ones -- to improve chassis dynamics".
Powertrains, ergonomics, style, comfort, and safety have all been addressed to make Hyundai/Kia vehicles as good as, or better than, the competition. The lone area where they are perceived to be a touch behind is chassis development. This is being addressed as noted above.
There's no reason to believe this area will lag for long, nothing else has with these guys. What they've done over the last 10 years in nothing short of astounding.
As to its competition I believe it is closer to the Impala and Taurus than the LaCrosse, TL, Avalon or MKS. It may have luxury pretentions but it is not in the class of the afore mentioned.
The Boston Globe this morning is reporting that the Azera is for the buyer coming out of a vehicle like the Sonata or the Accord who still wants front-wheel-drive without making the move to a rear-wheel-drive sedan like the Genesis. The article went on to say that persons of bulk will find ample seating in the Azera.
I'm waiting for the dealer to call me when it arrives so I can test drive the Azera.
I'll give myself another year, but this is looking like my next car.
The exterior, though, is all Hyundai - and absolutely gorgeous. IMO, if they market these cars properly, they'll have trouble meeting demand.