Hyundai Azera 2006

bigelm

I went to the NY Autoshow and was so impressed with this vehicle that I'm considering it as a second vehicle (very nice second vehicle). Anyway, some things to take with a grain of salt based on my conversation with their tech rep:
1)3.8L V6 producing 265HP/258TQ
2)Fully loaded less than $30k
3)Power everything, power lumber, power telescopic steering, everything...
4)More room and better overall vehicle than the XG (but you knew that already)
5)Appearing this fall (September) in showrooms.

Oh.. and it's definitely called Azera.

delta4

you saw this at NY auto show. good for you. Wished we in S. Fla had that same opportunity. Just curious why do say makes good 2nd car? I'm liking it more and more though. I'm really looking forward to test driving this. Maybe it will be better than most of us think. Hmmmm....Hyundai keeps surprising. Nice.

bigelm

... because the first is a SUV that we are getting in June

cingnokia

does this car not remind you just a little of the last Mazda 929 1992-1995

delta4

Mabye. But it has more of a bimmer 7 series look from the rear and Audi/Acura look from the side, the front is more infinit M like, thats what I see from this car. I thought that the new '06 Sonata had more of likeness towards Honda Accord from the rear except that when I saw it in person at the Ft Laud Auto Show it looked nothing at all like that car. The front reminded me of the '03 Camry but just slightly.

I think this design was clever in a way because it reminds of so many other designs that were/are popular but when you actually see this car in person I'll bet you won't really notice this as much. Nice.

bigelm

but this car is well noticed and will definitely fill the gap that the XG failed to do.

delta4

bigelm very true. It most definitely will make a brand statement positioning Hyundai as a serious mover and shaker in the competivtive space that Honda and Toyota has consistently dominated. The changing tides are coming and Hyundai is riding a wave of success!

bikerpa

...how the body accent line over the rear wheels curves to become the trunk seam and then flows into the taillights? I think in person that will be very pronounced, and I think I will really dig it. Subtle, Hyundai, nice and subtle.

bobgwtw

I agree. Think it will be one of the styling features that makes the Azera styling stand out.
while we're talking about styling, I think the grill will be the weakest style point. I looks a little too heavy in the pictures

chris65amg

The grille looks like a 97-01 Toyota Camry in my opinion. Overall, I think that the Azera looks very classy though.

jchan2

I do have to agree that it looks very classy and upscale. Now only if Hyundai will launch an upscale brand... But the Azera would do great as Hyundai's flagship. Are they offering a Navigation System?

navigator89

The taillights look like they were lifted off the Honda Accord. The overall shape and design is very similar, if not identical.

Otherwise, this seems to be a very attractive car. I hear it will have around 260 hp, which is good for a large car. That kind of engine really puts Ford to shame for putting a 203hp engine in the fullsize Five Hundred.

I don't think it will come with a nav system, since no Hyundai vehicle has ever had one. But I wouldn't be surprised if a nav system came out in a year or two after release. Didn't Hyundai recently announce that all it's vehicles would come with XM radio standard? That's bound to be a good thing.

chris65amg

With gas prices surging again, I'm worrying that the 3.8L that they will use in the Azera will have the same gas mileage as the 3.5L in the XG350 (like 18mpg city, ouch) I mean, the Avalon is supposed to get about 22-29, which is very good IMO. I'm glad that Hyundai has dropped the alphanumeric baloney, because it didn't fit iwht the rest of the lineup

z9z9z9z9

> The taillights look like they were lifted off the Honda Accord.

It's funny, but three years ago when the new Accord came out, the thing going around on car forums was "the taillights look like they were lifted off a Buick." Apparently horizontal taillights make a strong first impression on people. Perhaps someday Buick (if they're still around) will lift the taillights of a Hyundai...

z9z9z9z9

> With gas prices surging again, I'm worrying that the 3.8L that they will use in the Azera will have the same gas mileage as the 3.5L in the XG350...

My crystal ball says 19/28. The other one says 19/29...

jchan2

My I35 is rated at 19/26, and I'm fine with it. The ES330, however, has a 20/29 rating, but its only got 225 horsepower vs. the I35's 255.

wigan4

I'll be amazed if the Limited is less than $30K fully loaded, but if it is, everybody better watch out!

jchan2

Wouldn't that be great though? Fully loaded for under $30K...

bigelm

So far... that's the target price. Fully loaded under $30k.

beer4799

Do you think it will be an option this fall? I have read conflicting reports......

bobgwtw

I share your concern about engine size. The car looks like a winner; & I'm ready to replace my trusty 97 Millenia as soon as I see the car. But, since I drive over 100 miles a day, mileage is extremely important and XG 350 mileage would force me to rule it out.

danf1

All of Hyundai's new engines are supposed to get about 20 - 25% better milabe than what they are replacing, so I would expect to see near 20 in the city and 28 on the highway. Just a guess.

chris65amg

Good. Because the engine in the XG350 got about 200 hp and 18/25. I was a little scared for a moment.

Also, although I love big cars (my dream car is an Arnage) I'm afraid that the Azera may be hard to park. Just a little, because my wife wants a big sedan and we're putting it on hold until the Azera comes out.

mleahy

Take a look at the new 2006 BMW M6, it is not due out until early next year, and the rear end looks very much like the new Azera. Who is copying who?

xg350

you purchase the xg350 l i love my car but it looks like everytime i get a new car i see something new mind you i owe a lot on my xg but i have had every car/suv by hyundai good cars i think this ones awinner what are the wheel sizes.

newbluewinds

http://grandeur.hyundai-motor.com/

bwia

Car and driver has a short piece on the Azera in the June issue. Considering Hyundai's recent continuous quality improvements as reported by J.D. Power & Associates, the Azera should be reasonable competition for the Avalon and all other cars in the mid-luxury category.

One question though, will the Azera be manufactured in the U.S.? If so, where? And could the Americanization of the car compromise its quality.

bumpy

The Azera will be a low-volume car, so it will come from Korea. Hyundai's Alabama plant will build V6 Sonatas, and the new Santa Fe when that begins production next year.

eljefe1

Looks a lot like my 2002 Acura 3.5 rl both inside and out

corvette

Window on the C-pillar is reminiscent of the Elantra GT hatchback. Rear end looks like the Accord, but not as much as the new Sonata's rear end does. Roofline reminds me of the Ford 500. Grille looks bad. Where are the headlight washers? Wheels look really nice, although I would like them to be an inch larger (but keep the same design).

schuck1

I was just wondering if the headlamps were Xenon or not and if they are dusk sensitive (auto matic).

beer4799

I have read different things on the web.......It is a deal breaker for me. My other choices are the Avalon or Pilot w/Navi. I guess I will have to wait to find out!

danf1

No navi at least for the first year.

danf1

No HIDs, though the lights are automatic.

schuck1

Will the radio be bluetooth compatible for the phone? I read in a post somthing about "smart key". Does this mean the perameter key or the no need for physical key for locks and ignition? I have seen the pictures of the interior and I see an ignition key but no ignition button. This makes me wonder what the "smart key" refers. With the new "reclining" rear seats in sedans, will this be an available option on the Azera as well?

thanks

chankaishi

Hello,

1. Anybody has information what type of gasoline this car will requre?
2. CD supports MP3 or WMV?

danf1

All Hyundais are designed to run on 87 octane. I can't see that changing with their new engines. The cd will support MP3. What is WMV?

chankaishi

Thanks,

WMV is Windows media file format (more advanced then MP3 in some aspects). MP3 support is good enough for me.

lensky3

Will the new Azera have either XM or Siri radio?

danf1

All Hyundais will have XM standard within the next year.

herotakesafall

you mean wma. wmv is video. either way, .wma is a crappy format. i wish more car stereos would play .oggs, though...

larry1135

WMV stands for Windows Media Video
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio

larry1135

The Azera looks great, but the name stinks!

By the way, anyone hear anything about Hyundai doing a Minivan?

danf1

They will have a minivan coming in 2007.

jeen

Click thumbnail and ...wait~~wait~~~ ......you can see them.

http://motor.auto.naver.com/contents/view.php?menu_id=97&menu_left=N521&id=29336&cur_page=- 1&navertc=6

bwia

Very nice pics, but this is not the Azera as it has a hood ornament that the Azera does not. Also, the interior dimensions appear to be compact rather than midsize. Still, it is a fine looking automobile.

bigelm

Um... it is the Azera but for overseas... also known as the Grandeur. Go a few pages back and you'll see a link to the website full of pics that have high resolutions to appreciate Hyundai's work.

bobgwtw

Thanks for the posts jeen. Best pics I've seen.

schuck1

I saw a picture of an Azera from Korea that had controls of some kind in the rear seat arm rest. Will these be provided in the US model? They appear to be rear seat heater switches, but I am not sure.

schuck1

Since Hyundai does not have "On Star" or any other type of hands free phone, will the radio be a "blue tooth compatible" which will allow for hand free phone usage?