Hyundai is on a mission. Together with its sister concern, Kia, it's been churning out automobile after automobile that has only one aim; change the long-held perception that they're sluggish, unreliable pieces of unsightly metal. And the Azera had a big role in the scheme of things when it was launched back in 2005. Although it was around from as early as 1986 in the form of the Grandeur — which was basically a rebadged Mitsubishi Debonair — in Korea and elsewhere, it was never a significant sales success.
After years of trying to take on the Civics, the Corollas and the Camrys with run-of-the-mill offerings like the Accent, the Elantra and the Sonata, the 2005 Azera was the first step-up for the Korean carmaker, even before the game-changing Genesis was launched. And it was a reasonably well put together car too, with space and features to match the Toyota Avalon or the Nissan Maxima, but priced in the range of a Camry or an Accord.
However, the Genesis saloon was such a resounding success, especially in the US, that it didn't give the Azera enough time to impress. The truth is, although the model continued to sell like hot cakes in Grandeur guise in its domestic market, Hyundai didn't bother pushing the car in overseas markets where they projected the Centennial and the Genesis as their luxury car models. As a consequence, while lesser models in the line-up like the Elantra and the Sonata benefited from the company's radical fluidic sculpture design language, the Azera remained unchanged for more than six years.
Things have changed, drastically, for the 2012 model year. The new Azera in fact takes the fluidic sculpture design language to its next level with what Hyundai calls the ‘Grand Glide' theme. It looks like a blend of many cars in the Hyundai line-up like the swooping roofline of the Sonata and the rear shoulder swoosh of the Centennial, but they are brought together well to make a striking impression. Although overall length remains the same as its predecessor's at 4,910mm, the new model is 10mm wider and 20mm lower at 1,860mm and 1,470mm respectively. And the 2,845mm-long wheelbase means considerably more head-, leg- and shoulder room have been freed up inside the car.
Indeed it is a seriously spacious car inside, which can seat five full-sized adults in comfort. Talking of the interior, it seems Koreans have now come a long, long way from the days of cheap, hard plastics and fake leather. Everything inside the Azera exudes quality and sophistication, with the driver and passenger seats that are up to 10-way adjustable, getting a massage function as well.
Press the start button and you immediately realise that Hyundai's pursuit of excellence is not just limited to design and features. The Lambda-II 3.0-litre V6 unit is as silent and refined as any offering from leading Japanese players and it continues to impress as you put foot to the pedal. The 250bhp and 283Nm output is more than sufficient to lug the car effortlessly. Mated to a six-speed auto box, the six-pot's progression is smooth and seamless with a level of refinement that you still wouldn't expect in a Hyundai.
Engine noise is kept to a minimum thanks to the new low maintenance roller chain drive system. Hyundai claims the car's drag coefficient of 0.28Cd is superior to the segment average of 0.31Cd, and the way the car glides along doesn't give you any reason not to believe it. Equally impressive is the fuel efficiency of the V6 powerplant, which returned an average of 9.8 litres-per-100km while I had the test car. Apart from the 3.0-litre lump, our market will also get an entry level inline four 2.4-litre engine that's good for 178bhp and 232Nm of torque.
Hyundais won't be Hyundais if there isn't an overload of features. The new Azera is no different. Perforated leather seats, sat-nav, a sharp and clear rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, dual climate control, 18in aluminium wheels, a panorama sunroof, rear window sun shades and an Infinity hi-fi sound system are just a few worth mentioning.
Then there are safety features such as electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, nine airbags, and advanced smart cruise control, which keeps a safe distance from vehicles ahead, which works just as well as Merc's Distronic system.
Verdict
The most attractive part is that Hyundai has managed to pack all these into a car that cost just Dh112,000 and tops out at Dh118,000. Compare it to the top-end Honda Accord that sells for Dh124,000 with less features, and you'll see why the Azera is a compelling proposition for anyone looking for a family car that's feature-rich but doesn't burn a big hole in your pocket.
Specs
Model Azera
Engine 3.0-litre V6
Transmission Six-speed auto, FWD
Max power 250bhp @ 6,400rpm
Max torque 283Nm @ 5,000rpm
Top speed NA
0-100kph NA
Price Starts Dh112,000
Plus Great looks, smooth, refined engine
Minus Steering a bit too light, annoying sensors
