For the 2010 model year, Hyundai continues to show why the Azera is one of the best values in the premium sedan segment by offering customers more for their money in convenient package options.
As of the 2010 model year, the Limited Azera will be increasingly well-appointed and further differentiated from the GLS, giving consumers more distinct options within the Azera lineup. Many of the premium features that were once exclusive to the Ultimate Package are now standard on the Limited Trim. For 2010, the Azera Limited adds a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, an integrated memory system, premium door sill scuff plates and a woodgrain steering wheel and door pulls to its long list of standard equipment.
For drivers looking for the ultimate luxury options, Azera will offer the Limited Trim with Navigation Package which receives a powerful Infinity 605-watt Logic 7 audio system as standard equipment in addition to its LG DVD navigation system.
All of these upgrades help to illustrate why more and more customers are discovering how well Azera stacks up against the competition. Overall, the 2010 Azera is a strong competitor to vehicles like the Lexus ES350, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Buick LaCrosse and Ford Taurus. Spacious and luxurious, the Azera even features more interior volume than expensive luxury sedans such as the Mercedes Benz E-Class, BMW 750i and Lexus LS 460. There's no question that Azera is one of the smartest premium large-sedan choices available in the American market today.
STRIKING FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Azera's proportions are elegant, purposeful and aerodynamically efficient, reducing wind noise while adding maximum stability on the highway. Inside, its spacious cabin provides not only roomy comfort, but a luxurious look and attention to detail that makes both driver and passengers alike feel that they are riding in a luxury sedan.
SAFETY FEATURES
Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on class-leading safety technology, the 2010 Azera boasts impressive active and passive safety features to protect its occupants in the event of a collision, earning the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) top crash test ratings for frontal offset impacts. The Azera continues to set standards by making key life-saving active safety technology standard, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with a Traction Control System (TCS).
Also standard are independent double-wishbone front- and multi-link rear suspension, large four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), which automatically adjusts the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes for optimal performance under poor road conditions, speeding, loading and other potentially hazardous situations.
Additionally, Azera offers impressive passive safety features including eight standard airbags, active front head restraints to help prevent whiplash, a Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for children's seats and three-point seatbelts for all positions while shingle-style rear-seat head restraints provide drivers with improved visibility. Security is further advanced with an anti-theft engine immobilizer and remote keyless entry with alarm.
ACCOMMODATING INTERIOR
The 2010 Azera offers luxurious appointments and spaciousness that rivals the finest premium competitor brands. It offers a roomy cabin with nearly 44 inches of legroom up front and more than 38 inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers. Hyundai engineers have created efficient packaging to maximize interior volume with the 2010 Azera offering more interior volume (123.5 cu.-ft.) than the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima.
Special attention has been paid to other interior details, such as the enhanced electroluminescent cluster display and steering wheel audio control functions. The blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons along with ion-plated accents highlight the vehicle's modern appearance. Other unexpected luxury appointments include power rear sunshade, integrated memory system and power-folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators on the Limited version.
The Azera comes standard with dual front automatic climate controls, electrochromic auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink®, power seats for driver and front passenger, as well as woodgrain and metalgrain interior accents.
An AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system that includes a four-channel, 172-watt internal amplifier and six speakers comes standard in the Azera GLS. Audiophiles with even more demanding tastes will be impressed by the available Infinity audio system that includes a seven-channel, 315-watt amplifier with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers, standard in Limited trim levels.
Music lovers will also welcome the 2010 Azera's inclusion of standard iPod®/USB and auxiliary input jacks to accommodate and charge audio devices such as iPods®. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the USB port[1], which is located in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through the vehicle's speakers, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver to access tracks with the steering wheel audio controls. This system also allows both driver and passengers to easily view song/artist/title information and control the music from the audio head unit rather than just the iPod itself.
LG DVD NAVIGATION
LG, the South Korean-based international manufacturer of consumer electronics has developed an exclusive navigation system for the Hyundai Azera and Veracruz models. Using touch screen functions, the DVD navigation system comes equipped with a premium 605-watt Infinity Logic 7® surround sound system with 12 speakers, 11-channel digital amplifier and AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 reception capability which replaces the six-disc CD changer and iPod/USB and auxiliary input jacks. It also includes mapping software for the continental United States and has available POIs (Points of Interest) for entertainment, shopping and dining. Route guidance is provided by audio and visual prompts.
POWER AND PERFORMANCE
The Azera GLS is equipped with a 3.3-liter, DOHC V6 engine that produces 234 horsepower and 226 lbs.-ft. of torque. As the first member of Hyundai's "Lambda" engine family, this engine has all-aluminum construction, four valves per cylinder and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), all for a broad power spread. It also features a Variable Intake System (VIS) that further broadens its power curve to improve the vehicle's off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Azera GLS are 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.
The Azera Limited delivers powerful performance due to its clean and efficient all-aluminum 3.8-liter, DOHC V6 engine, which delivers 263 horsepower and 257 lbs.-ft. of torque. To maximize the power spread, this engine also uses CVVT and a Variable Intake System (VIS) to help cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high rpms. The Azera offers more standard horsepower than the BMW 528i. EPA mileage figures for the Azera Limited are 17 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.
Both V6 engines are mated to Hyundai's five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. This transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that ideally suits the engine's characteristics.
COMFORTABLE AND CONTROLLED SUSPENSION
Hyundai engineers benchmarked the best cars in the category before designing the Azera's double-wishbone front and multi-link rear four-wheel independent suspension system. By using high-tensile steel in critical unibody areas, the Azera features increased stiffness and rigidity, which ensures formidable resistance to flexing and enhanced ride and handling, while lowering interior noise levels. Attached to the Azera's rigid structure is improved suspension and steering hardware to keep the vehicle even flatter through turns and more compliant over bumps. The suspension features four revalved twin-tube, gas-charged dampers, softer bushings and a quicker steering rack. The Azera also has front and rear stabilizer bars and rides on 17-inch wheels and 235/55VR17 tires.
TWO WELL-EQUIPPED MODELS
From the well-equipped GLS, to the downright luxurious Limited, the 2010 Azera lineup addresses the needs and desires of premium sedan customers with a highly competitive mix of features and benefits. Each model delivers a level of standard equipment that is a cut above competing models.
AZERA GLS
The GLS includes an impressive range of standard features that give it a competitive edge, including a powerful and efficient 3.3-liter, DOHC V6 engine with 234 horsepower, a smooth-shifting, five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control, standard ESC with TCS, eight airbags, active front head restraints, electroluminescent gauge cluster and a six-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD audio system with iPod®/USB and auxiliary inputs. The vehicle achieves 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway fuel economy ratings.
Further enhancing the GLS's first-class appearance are 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels and 235/55VR17 tires. Upscale features include LED tail and brake lights, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with HomeLink®, power seats for both driver and front passenger, dual front automatic climate controls and automatic headlight control.
AZERA GLS with PREMIUM PACKAGE
The Azera with Premium Package adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a power sunroof to an already-loaded standard equipment package.
AZERA LIMITEDA truly impressive array of standard features and amenities define the prestigious Azera Limited. New for 2010 are a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, premium door sill scuff plates, a woodgrain steering wheel and door pulls, and an integrated memory system. This memory system governs the power driver's seat, mirrors and the power tilt and telescopic steering column.
Additional standard features on the Limited include leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, power glass sunroof with tilt and slide, power folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators, power rear sunshade and a powerful 315-watt Infinity AM/FM/XM/MP3 audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer, hyper-silver alloy wheels and iPod® /USB and auxiliary inputs.
AZERA LIMTED with ULTIMATE NAVIGATION PACKAGE
The Ultimate Navigation Package includes all of the standard Limited items plus the LG navigation system, which is paired with an Infinity 605-watt Logic 7 audio system.
Source: Hyundai
