Vehicle: 2007 Hyundai Azera Premium
Price as tested: CDN$37495

Performance: There is only one powertrain available for this upscale Hyundai sedan. Its the impressive 3.8 liter DOHC V6 24-valve engine that matched the refinement, smoothness and quietness of the standards set by Toyota and Nissan’s famous V6s. Other than being a smooth operator, this engine is also a powerful one. With 263 horses available on tap, power is never an issue. The throttle response is quick and linear, with a sense of luxury car’s sublime control over the throttle input. The most impressive aspect is the available torque 255 lb/ft arrives at 4500 rpm, which is the most usable range of most daily driving. This engine not only provides wonderful low-end grunt, its equally happy revving at the high end of the rev range thanks to Hyundai’s advanced variable valve timing technology called CVVT. Along with a great powerplant, it has to have a good transmission to match. The 5-speed manumatic gives out decent gear ratios, with high enough for cruising at highway speed for maximum economy and low enough for peppy acceleration off-the-line. The addition of a manumatic side encourages enthuisastic driving despite it doesn’t allow drivers to rev pass redline before upshifting. That’s understandable consider Azera’s status as a luxury cruiser.

Handling: When it comes to surprises, Azera’s dynamic quality is a huge one. One would expect Azera handles like a landyatch due to its full-size sedan status. While some of Azera’s competitors handle like a landyatch, its actually the most nimble of all its peers. Although steering doesn’t provide lots of feedback, however, its steering reponse and precision are up to notch. When compares to most of its rivals, Azera has the sharpest steering input when pushing through corners. The standard stability control is a somewhat instrusive type, which is perfect for Azera’s target audience, works decently when it reached its envalope. The ride quality, however, is very impressive indeed. When both the Avalon and Allure have a rather floaty suspension setting due to their softness, Hyundai engineers are able to engineered some European firmness and tautness through its softness. Its very obvious when going over 150 km/h on freeway speed. The level of competence and suppleness Hyundai engineered into the stiff chassis and soft suspension are simply world-class. If Hyundai is able to continue their effort of chassis and suspension engineering, while putting more feedback into the steering, their upcoming luxury flagship will put many Japanese premium brands in fear mode.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, long with brake-force distribution. Azera’s braking prowess is as impressive as its powertrain and dynamics. The stopping distance is short. The ABS only steps in when driver absolutely needed it.

Interior: Hyundai has put together Azera’s interior very nicely. It all begins with ergonomically placed stereo and superb auto dual-zone climate control. The leather seats are comfortable with excellent thigh support. The most impressive of the whole interior has to be the use of materials. Everything else from grab handles to trunk release to dashboard all covered in soft plastic. All the plastic materials are coated in very classy and elegant coating. In terms of interior coziness, it rivals luxury cars costing twice as much.

The back seat has tons of leg and headrooms. The middle seat is comfortable enough without being punished for having unreasonably high central tunnel.

In terms of cargo space, its low liftover is a good beginning. However, the lack of fold-down rear seats and instrusive hinges have killed some of the versatile aspect of the whole vehicle.

Conclusion: The Azera is, indeed, a world-class luxury car. It got power, poise, class and performance all in an affordable package. In short, Hyundai has resetted the standard of what others should be judged on building a proper full-size luxury sedan with this Azera. It is really that good!

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 HYUNDAI AZERA
==================================
Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.25/5