Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I'll bet Hyundai is most closely targetting the Avalon. Similar size, performance, features, styling... but 20% lower in price.
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/10/30/automotive/d01102905_01.txt
-P
By the way, I can't believe the navigation is not going to be available on the Azera. Even the lowly (but nice) Honda Civic has it available for Pete's sake! And how about a convertible of some sort? I know Hyundai & Kia have been very busy with new models and such, but a nice inexpensive convertible from Korea would be really cool!
-P
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2005_03_25.html
The people shopping for Avalons would do well to consider the Azera. They will like the Azera for many of the same reasons they like the Avalon. My guess is many will end up with the Azera if they give it a chance.
Very similar cars. Similar missions.
Why would Koreans be insulted? When the Avalon came out it was a much better car than anything Hyundai had produced. Probably still will be better than the Azera overall too for 2006. But at a much higher price.
You pays your money and you takes your chances.
Agreed. Given the fact that these vehicles will be the primary competition. An excellent showing by the Azera against the Avalon, 300 and Lucerne and to a lesser degree the 500 would certainly give notice to the established brands that Hyundai is for real. I'm looking forward to the review of a full press workout of the Azera. Edmunds I hope you're listening
Go test drive one, but first ask the dealer to put at least 38 or 39 lbs into each tire (they'll safely hold 50).
Inside, the XGs look a lot like a 10 year old Infinity Q45 or a 15 year old Jaguar XJ sedan. Some of us still admire that style.
Outside, from the front you may see the Infinity I 35. From the back, a little like a Bentley. Overall it is at least unique.
Price-wise, a new XG should cost no more than a 4 cylinder Sonata GLS with the premium package. Compare those 2 if you are thinking of a new Hyundai sedan around $18,000.
There are dramatic differences. Find out which suits you best.
(But I am really anxious to try an Azera.)
January.
That's a realistic target date if you want an Azera.
I'm pretty sure Hyundai has a huge backup due to the strike
during early fall.
As far as the nav. goes, Hyundai will definitely need
a partner in the US to develop their own system. They
probably don't have enough customer base yet to make things
feasible. (although I think European imports have had nav.
systems for a while now, they sell more expensive cars and
that's gotta help the bottom line.) I wouldn't be
surprised if Nav systems are still missing around this
time next year.
(BTW, new Santa Fe is being launched in Korea on 23rd.)
103 for XG350?
104 for Sonata?
110 for Azera?
What about the latest Lexus ES330 ?
In January you could get a new '05 XG350 for less than $18,000 out here. That was over 10 months ago. Surely someone will sell you a new one now for no more and probably less. Make an offer. If they say no, walk. Or just go in and pay whatever they ask.
I did get a copy of the information that Paul spoke of, not much more than what is available at the official website, but they do have a listing of colors; however, no color panel. The colors are: Powder White Pearl, Ebony Black, Venetian Blue, Sage Green, Steel Gray, Bright Silver, Aubergine, and Golden Beige. (From my research Aubergine is cross between amythest and burgundy). The sales manager wouldn't let me pin him down on an MSRP, but it should not be much higher than the XG350. The information was also nicely arranged comparing the Axera to the Toyota Avalon, Mercedes S350, and the BMW 760i, The Azera supposedly exceeds the total interior volume of each of the aforementioned models. On paper the Azera is quite a package but of course the real proof will be in the seeing and driving. Still excited.
A short time ago I made a comment that the Azera should not be compared to Avalon, and I was right. The Azera looks very much like the Infiniti M-35 and closely resembles the new Ford Fusion. What was so ironic is that the Toyota display was next to Hyundai’s and not one person gave a cursory look at the Avalon. Next to the Azera the Avalon looks dowdy and passé.
Everything about the Azera is upscale, but I was cautioned that what I was seeing and experiencing was a pre-production car that was essentially made-by-hand so the final assembled car may not have these same exacting tolerances.
Starting with the styling, the car looks much better in person than in pictures. The Bangled butt is a rip-off of the BMW series but somehow it looks nicer on the Azera as it is not as pronounced and exaggerated.
The interior is first class and modern, with soft plastics and supple leather. I was told the leather is rated at grade #3, from the under-belly of the cow, which is what is often used in high end automobiles. Absent, however, is a navigation system and XM radio. Again, I was told that dealers are upset that these features are not available. By the way, the Hyundai staff said that was the most asked question.
The whisper rumors from the attendants suggest that: the car will probably average 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway and will be priced at $28,000 for the Limited.
And one more thing the exterior colors are those posted earlier by zyvox201, but no details on interior colors. The Aubergine is a rich and nice Merlot-like color available on the new Sonata. I predict this will be the most popular color.
Finally, the car has not yet been shipped from Korea and the earliest possible available date is December 1 on the West Coast with the East Coast receiving their allotments much later.
But who knows, maybe they will in spite or your order to the contrary.
The auto industry is way behind the technology which is available. I want Nav, backup camera and smart keys in my next car. If it were true that the Nav system would be added to the Azera by a third party I would be more interested in the Azera, I could get a better Nav system and radio along with TV, Sirius and DVD for half the price of OEM installations! I had all of these in a V70 T5 Volvo and still miss it even though I have had OEM nav systems in all of my cars since then. When I worked I always got a Nav in my rental. When we rent cars for a vacation we almost always get a Nav. I also don't agree that information or a movie playing in the front seat distracts the driver. It's up to the driver to pay attention to the road! I never watched TV or movies in my Volvo when I was driving but it was great for my passenger or for me when I was parked. Wouldn't you like to have video cameras placed around your car so you could ask (speech recognition) if there was a car on your left rear? Everybody is different!
18-25miles/gallon?
I really disappointed with this poor gasmileage. :sick:
I hope to see ratings matching the Avalon's 22/31. And even then the Azera will be making less than the Avalon's 280 horsepower.
As you can see, they're pretty evenly matched.
I own an avalon and I am sure that the Azera will be a very nice car. The toyota are renowed for their quality and fit, finish and perfection. Hyundai is fast catching up on the quality but it is far behind in the other three.
They are definitely better than Ford or GM but still behind the Japanese.
There are few bargains in this world and you get what you pay for when you buy a hyundai.
If you take into consideration the fact that the Avalon Limited is almost $7,000.00 more than the Azera Limited, it would take over 15 years of Avalon ownership to start benefiting from its higher mileage. (@ 15,000 miles per year).
Some other facts--All other features being practically equal, the Avalon does not have available (as standard or optional):
1) Adjustable Power Pedals & Tilt & Telescoping Steering on Memory Recall.
2) More engine torque. (255 ft.-lbs.)
3) Power Folding Mirrors.
4) Dual Front Active Head Restraints.
5) Folding Rear Seat (60/40).
6) Air Quality System that senses outside air pollution and temporarily closes the vents.
7) Adjustable center console.
And last but not least---
8) 10-year/100,000 mile power train and 5-year/60,000 mile bumper to bumper warrantee.
The Azera Limited has the above as standard or as an option.
Also, from the various auto magazines: The 0-60 times quoted are 6.5 for the Azera and 6.9 for the Avalon.
If on my test drive, the Azera performs and handles as good as the current reviewers exclaim...I'm buying one!
Just as a point of information for dct336, where did you find data on the Azera's mileage? That has also been a hard to find answer. Also dct336 is right about the gasoline issue--the combined MPG, an average gasoline cost of $2.50/gallon, and an average of 15,000 miles yearly--I figured the differential between the cars to be $285 yearly in favor of the Avalon, which does not offset the cost differential of $7000.00. It would take roughly 24.5 years to do that. Also note that I did not factor in that Toyota recommends premium fuel for the Avalon versus regular fuel for the Azera. With a price differential of 20 cents between to the fuel grades that cuts the cost difference to right about $165 between the two. What would be interesting would be to find out how much the Azera's mileage would improve if premium fuel were used.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/bymakemodelNF.shtml
I didn't know that the Avalon uses Premium gasoline.
For sure, the Avalon is out of the running in my field of choices.
Also, using premium fuel will not increase your horsepower or mileage. Premium is required for those engine manufacturers that achieve more horsepower out of a given amount of displacement (cubic inches) by increasing compression. The higher the octane rating the higher the allowable compression without pre-detonation (engine ping).