Introduced in 2006, the Hyundai Azera replaced the XG350 as the company’s flagship sedan. Throughout its four-year run, it remained essentially unchanged, aside from cosmetics and various minor upgrades.
Power was delivered by a 3.8-litre V-6 with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a variable valve timing feature. In 2008, it developed 263 horsepower and was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission only, with Hyundai’s Shiftronic manual shift feature.
This drivetrain combo wasn’t particularly dramatic, but it was as civilized and as smooth as anything else in this price bracket, and enough to move the Azera along at a decent clip, bearing in mind that it was a luxury car, not a sports sedan. Brakes were four-wheel disc with either 16- or 17-inch wheels and tires, depending upon the model.
Unsurprisingly, standard equipment level was high. Heated front seats, leather interior, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, one-touch-up/down power windows, dual-zone climate control, heated outside mirrors, power sunroof, ABS and eight airbags – front, front-side, rear-side and side curtain –were all included with the base GLS.
The Limited model added power rear window shade, larger 17-inch wheels and tires, upgraded stereo with six-disc CD player, power-adjustable pedals, extra interior wood trim and XM radio with speed-sensing volume control.
No back-seat entertainment monitor was available with the Azera, nor was there a keyless/push-button start ignition system.
In terms of feel, performance and overall ambience, the Azera felt like a bigger, fancier version of the Sonata, which was probably a good thing.
It offered generous peripheral visibility, straightforward entry and exit and roomy front seats. If you were a larger person and needed a bit of extra space, it delivered. Hyundai claimed head room of 1,020 mm in the front seat, and 970 mm in the back. By way of comparison, Toyota’s Avalon boasted 986 mm in front and 953 mm in back.
Indeed, in many ways, the Avalon was one of the Azera’s closest competitors – aside from price, of course.
They were similar in size (2,780-mm wheelbase versus 2,820-mm), power and even appearance. While the Avalon had a trunk capacity of 407 litres, the Azera beat it by more than 60 litres, with 470 litres of cargo room. According to Natural Resources Canada, the 2008 Azera delivered 12.2 litres/100 km in town and 7.8 on the highway; this is where the Avalon beat it, hands-down; it was good for 10.6 city/7.0 highway.
However, unlike the Avalon, which is still in production, 2008 was the last year for the Azera in Canada. There were some leftovers sold in 2009, but it was replaced by the Genesis in that year.
Two safety recalls to report. The first concerns the front seat belts, and covers all years of the Azera – from 2006 right up to 2008. Apparently, after prolonged use, the passenger-side seat belt tension sensor can act up, which could, in turn, affect the airbag and the seat belt itself and, in event of a front-end collision, the airbag could fail. The second is a relatively minor glitch affecting headlight alignment, easily corrected by a dealer.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has 11 technical service bulletins for the 2008 Azera, but none are particularly onerous. As well as some labelling issues, there is the usual array of electrical gremlins and cause warning lights to illuminate without reason. But the most serious of these TSBs appears to involve “fluctuating” engine rpms during cold-weather warmup.
Consumer Reports likes this vehicle. Aside from some concerns about power equipment, body rattles and the audio system, the magazine recommends the Azera and gives it one of its higher overall scores –81 out of 100. To put this in perspective, the highest score recorded is 92, while the lowest is 43.
Some negative comments from owners: “Very good car, poor dealer support,” “sloppy suspension, poor trade-in value,” “gas mileage around town could be better.” A cushy ride seems to be common praise for all years of the Azera, as does value for money.
Over at J.D. Power, the Azera gets a better-than-average rating for predicted reliability, and above-average marks right across the board. Powertrain quality and instrumentation are two standout areas and it receives near the top grades for initial quality and overall performance and design.
From a base price of just less than $36,000 in 2008, the Azera has dropped by about half. The base GLS is now priced in the high teens, while the Limited is going for about $20,000, give or take. Given its various ratings from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, this would make it a pretty good deal on the used-car market.
2008 Hyundai Azera
Original Base Price: $35,995; Black Book Value: $18,425-$19,600; Red Book Value: $20,500-$22,050
Engine: 3.8-litre V-6
Horsepower/Torque: 263 hp/257 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel
Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 12.2 city/7.8 highway; regular gas
Alternatives: Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry XLE, Buick Allure, Acura TL, Nissan Maxima SE, Kia Amanti
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