2013 Hyundai Azera
2013 Hyundai Azera
By Harold Osmer
Hyundai’s team of
designers and engineers deserve the accolades coming their way via the second
generation Azera. Released in 2012 and further refined for 2013, Azera sets a very
high standard for mid-sized sedans.
Sleek, modern exterior appointments offer your eye a treat at every glance while not screaming to be seen. Gone are the days of soften corners, blended forms, and rounded everything in a hurry to look like a jelly bean. Good thing that.
Also gone are the
days of picking and choosing from a laundry list of trim packages that could
boost the teaser base price into unaffordability. Hyundai has wisely gone the
route of providing complete vehicles fully loaded with the only optional upgrade,
as with Azera, being an enhanced technology package. Call it truth in
advertising if you will, as the base price of $32,230 represents the actual
price of the car.
On the list of included items are such niceties as supple leather seats (heated & cooled both front and rear), navigation system, alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, and a host of other features we used to pay separately for.
Azera’s interior is
very comfortable, practical, with all controls in logical locations and easy to
use. Without prior knowledge, you could easily guess Azera’s price to be
several thousand dollars higher than it is. From the leather wrapped steering
wheel to the base materials in the door panels and seats, Azera welcomes you
with that ‘touch of luxury’ we keep hearing about.
Hyundai’s now-venerable Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology delivers smooth, effortless power in all conditions. Azera is a front wheel drive car, but you have to push your driving pretty hard to realize it. With 293 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque, the 3.3 liter V6 responds quite predictably, moving the 3,700 pound Azera with ease.
Our twisty
Mulholland Highway test route proved no challenge to Azera’s handling. The
typical companion to good road manners is a rough freeway ride. Not so with
Azera. Both types of road are taken in full stride.
You want a hot rod? Go buy a hot rod. You want mini-van capacity? Go buy a mini-van. You want a premium, great looking mid-sized luxury sedan that delivers more comfort, quality, and value per dollar than just about anything else out there? Go buy an Azera.
Harold O.
2013 Hyundai Azera
Price:
Base $32,250 as tested $37,225
Standard Features Include:
Leather seating surfaces, heated front and rear; Navigation System; Vehicle Stability Management System; 5yr/60,000 mile warranty
Engine type:
3.3L V6, DOHC 24-valve, Gasoline Direct Injection
Horsepower:
293 @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
255 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm
Performance:
0-60 mph 6.1 seconds
top speed NA
Drive configuration:
Front wheel drive
Transmission type:
6-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC®
Suspension:
Front: Unibody; MacPherson Strut
Rear: Multi-link
Wheels and tires:
19-inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels
245/40R19 tires
Brakes:
ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution; Vehicle Stability Management; Traction Control; Electronic Stability Control
Overall length/wheelbase:
193.3 inches/112 inches
Overall width:
73.2 inches
Overall height:
57.9 inches
EPA mileage estimates City/Highway/Combined:
20/29/23
5 Year/60,000 mile Bumper to Bumper
10 Year/100,000 mile Powertrain
5 year/unlimited mile Roadside Assitance