Does Hyundai's New Azera Have What It Takes To Crack The Near Luxury Segment?

The Hyundai Azera was the first Korean car I ever sat in and said, "Wow, this carmaker is on to something." But six years ago, the Azera was really the only standout in a lineup that focused on saving money before primping luxury. The Azera changed that notion. The original, the 2006 model, was well-appointed, nicely priced, and generally a good car. It was the luxury option to the midsize Sonata. It could change the way you thought about Hyundai.

Since then, though, Hyundai has undergone a product renaissance. It created its Genesis program, rear wheel sports coupe and luxury sedan. It introduced its fluidic design with the new Sonata, and then the compact Elantra.

Larrybel2000 - 3/8/2012 11:07:18 AM

-3 Boost

Hyundai is changing the game.

dumpsty - 3/11/2012 1:33:07 PM

+1 Boost

idk. this hyundai design is fairly clean. looks good. much of the interior content is useful and standard.

PlanB - 3/9/2012 9:47:58 AM

0 Boost

The Hyundai fluid design looks great on this car, easily there best effort. Its like a Sonata but with much better proportions. I don't think the price is all that bad, the competition here is Avalon, Maxima, Taurus, Lacrosse, just look at there base prices.

quizz - 3/11/2012 4:16:17 AM

+1 Boost

Avalon definitely the competition. Maxima is more sporting. I don't see the Azera target audience cross-shopping a Taurus/Lacrosse, regardless of price similarities.

Tarzan - 3/11/2012 11:28:51 AM

+1 Boost

It looks a hellava lot better than the Toyota Avalon/Lexus ES350, and its sharp looks are matched with precise handling. I think Hyundai has scored another homerun.

g2ok - 3/11/2012 7:09:03 PM

+1 Boost

But Lexus has superior quality and service.

g2ok - 3/11/2012 7:08:28 PM

+1 Boost

It looks decent, but Hyundai still doesn't have a good dealer network and their adverts are still targeted for the low down payment, low finance buyers. So at $30k+ it's kind of a hard sell.