CD Article: 2006 Hyundai Azera

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

A big step up from its predecessor the Hyundai XG350, the new Azera luxury sedan "is an exceptional car for the money," says editor, Greg Wilson. Quiet, powerful, comfortable, and roomy, "everything about it is designed for comfort and ease of use," he says. Criticisms were few.     More...

[ovr50]

Wow, could be another winner for Hyundai - sounds like a VERY competitive car for Toyota and Nissan to deal with, to say nothing of the offerings by Ford, GM and DC in this class. Once again, lots of value there. Hyundai is certainly on a roll these days, and are doing many things right IMO.

I'm also glad to see Vancouver Island is keeping it's title as "Pot Capital of BC" - see the last picture.  The Kootenays were challanging for the role, but don't have big signs announcing pot sale. 

[a4_tom]

This is the exact same press car that a Hyundai Canada showed me in Spanish Banks parking lot!!

[JD]

I can't say I like the colour, but as for the rest of the car...   

Good on ya', Mr. Korea!

[si]

Looks like a hybrid between a Lexus ES and a Buick. 

but SUPRISE, yes.  This vehicle seemed to come to market without much warning.

[mdxtasy]

Very nice indeed.  The exterior isn't all that exciting but it's pleasing.  A bit of a Camry up front and typical Japanese styling....subtle and not offensive.  The interior looks very good.  The centre stack reminds me of Nissan/Infiniti.  At the starting $35K pricetag...this thing looks very competitive and offers more interior space at an Accord price. 

Hyundai has not taken one wrong step recently...Mazda and Nissan better watch out...they are in the crosshairs of Hyundai.  Toyota and Honda are next.  Can't wait for the next Tiburon to arrive.....

[mark]

This is the second article I've read that says basically the same thing.  It's a winner, with few faults.

I know this is not the car's intended purpose, but I wonder if it could be made into a very good handler with some minor suspension tweaks.  It's got a double wishbone front, and multilink rear setup.  A good recipe with the right springs, shocks & anti-roll bar no?  Turn it into a real Q-ship.

[Shnak]

A big step up from its predecessor the Hyundai XG350, the new Azera luxury sedan "is an exceptional car for the money,"...

It makes me laugh everytime I see "...for the money" when someone talks about a car. What about if you don't take "the money" into account, is it still an "exceptional car"?

[Bullet Blue]

It's still a bit questionable to me. You'd think Hyundai would've learned its lesson with the Amanti. But I'm not discounting it completely. It's still an impressive car. We'll see how it does. Glad that Hyundai isn't afraid to venture into other segments.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Both the Kia Amanti and the Hyundai XG both individually sold more units than Toyota's Avalon, but I doubt you'd say Toyota should have learned something. Or you say it has learned, just as Hyundai has.

I'm more taken with the lines than in photos I've seen in the past. More flowing and less truncated than what I've seen in the past, although the front is still rather plain and rectangular to me. The Avalon's exterior is quite good looking now for such a large car (grille is a tad toothy tho), but the interior I'm not so keen on. All the large font, hidden compartments that are finnicky to open, etc. I like the Azera's interior, minus the fake silver guages. It's certainly a more complete car than it's predecessor.

[Bullet Blue]

Oops, guess I spoke too soon. Didn't know about those numbers SAM. I was just going by personal experience. I have only seen 1 Amanti since it's intro and that was ages ago. I take it back if they'vee sold more than the avalon. Got some numbers?

[Giant Dwarf]

  Kudos to Hyundai for another winner.  While I'm certainly not in their target market for what this car is designed to do, it looks like a fine option for anyone considering an Avalon.  Big, quiet, smooth, refined (?) -- I expect are all terms that could be adhered to the Azera.

Shnak, the way I interperet that statement, I'm sure when compared directly to the likes of an Avalon or Maxima SL, the Azera is every bit as good overall (with a few pluses and minuses versus each)... however when you throw price into the mix (as most people would in this snack bracket), the Hyundai all of a sudden becomes a stand out exception.  

I've sent the link to my father as a reasonable replacement for his aging Saab next year.

[random006]

A big step up from its predecessor the Hyundai XG350, the new Azera luxury sedan "is an exceptional car for the money,"...

It makes me laugh everytime I see "...for the money" when someone talks about a car. What about if you don't take "the money" into account, is it still an "exceptional car"?

Actually, Shnak, I suspect you are seeing a car writer's reflex in action here.  It might very well be that such people are so used to writing "for the money" and "Hyundai/Kia/...(fill in the blank)" in the same sentence that it comes almost automatically.  I say this because there have been one or two journalists - writing about the Sonata I believe - who not only did not use that phrase but actually commented on the fact.  They were quite adamant that their opinion was that the car was a great car that stood on its own merits.  The price was mentioned only as a bonus factor.  Icing on the cake if you will.

[genetik_freak]

The design has been lifted from an Acura (front), and Honda (rear), and Lexus (inside).  Why Hyundai, why?  The Sonata was great but now this?  Disappointing indeed.

[ovr50]

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery...

[safristi]

OH YEAH!!!!.....


 

[picard]

The article failed to mentioned how well did the car perform on emergency braking test. Does the car have floaty suspension like early version of buick?

[JD]

The article failed to mentioned how well did the car perform on emergency braking test. Does the car have floaty suspension like early version of buick?

Yes, a 2006 Azura, based on the fine-handling Sonata platform, handles like 1900-era McLaughlin Buicks...

[Shnak]

The article failed to mentioned how well did the car perform on emergency braking test. Does the car have floaty suspension like early version of buick?

Yes, a 2006 Azura, based on the fine-handling Sonata platform, handles like 1900-era McLaughlin Buicks...

Well from the reviews I've read, the 4-cylinder Sonata's suspension is setup to very floaty... only the V6-version of the new Sonata gets a more sporty suspension setup... who knows about the Azera's suspension... it could easily be set as floaty for all the older people that will buy this car... it is trying to compete with Buicks for the older buyers market afterall...

[a4_tom]

If you have driven new Avalon, you know its no longer as floaty as before. Japanese engineers started to learn how to put suppleness into their soft setting. I guess if Hyundai wants to challenge Avalon, Azure shouldn't be that floaty after all.