After a busy 24 months, Hyundai is ready to show off seven new or significantly redesigned cars. Its latest addition is the 2012 hyundai azera.
The Fluidic Sculpture design language is all over the Azera, beginning with a sweeping chrome grille and wrapped headlights similar to those found on the company's Sonata. There's also a dramatic crease that runs through the C-pillar, a rear three-quarter character hump reminiscent of the Equus, and available 19-inch wheels.
This model comes with a 3.3-liter direct-injected V-6, producing 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. It mates to a six-speed automatic transmission, and it achieves EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined fuel economy figure of 23 mpg.
Its Active Eco feature smoothes the throttle response, power-train mapping and transmission profile to maximize fuel economy. It's best used in situations when cruising or accelerating lightly, such as passing another vehicle or when you're not trying to go fast but want to get a little extra mileage out of the engine, though it does lead to slightly more lead-footedness.
The 2012 hyundai azera is a well-appointed and spacious sedan with plenty of features for the money. It offers a full array of digital audio sources, a telematics system with a great app, and a huge panoramic sunroof.
The interior is also pretty impressive, with a Y-shaped center stack/dash layout that's a good fit for a car of this size. There's a lot of soft-touch materials and glove-soft leather. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with a 10-way driver's seat and an 8-way front passenger seat that includes a height adjustment. The steering wheel is a good size for a large car, too.
