2007 Hyundai Azera Manchester

Check out our Used Hyundai Azera Inventory in NH!

The 2007 Hyundai Azera is an impressive car, with all the standard creature comfort and safety features.  Like its smaller, less expensive sibling, the Sonata, the Azera could well set a new standard in performance, price and value. The Azera is Hyundai's entry into the full-size, near-luxury segment. Azera is a worthy alternative to the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima. The Azera was first introduced as a 2006 model. It also has received the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's (IIHS) top crash test rating for frontal offset impacts. Overall, in design and styling, in creature comforts, powertrain and in safety features, Azera offers as much or more than anything else in the class, and at a lower price. Furthermore, the Azera is practical; it equals or betters the competition in standard equipment, with special emphasis on safety. Eight airbags are standard, as are electronic stability control, traction control, antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and active front seat head restraints. Rain-sensing windshield wipers, more commonly found only on high-end cars, are available. Changes for 2007 are minimal. Steering wheel audio controls with seek up/down are now standard on all models. Azera Limited models now come with an enhanced electroluminescent instrument cluster. Sideview mirrors with integral turn-signal indicators are now included in the Ultimate Package. And black leather interiors are now accented with light gray stitching.

Driving the '07 Azera

Azera's powertrain is the state of the art. The 3.8-liter V6 engine features variable valve timing for low emissions and a broad power curve, while the five-speed automatic gives the driver the option of shifting semi-manually, competitive features with Lexus, Infiniti and Acura. Response to steering inputs is sure and precise. Handling is nicely balanced. The brake pedal feels solid, and steering assist is nominal, with just about the proper amount of resistance to wheel movements. Driving the Hyundai Azera is more fun and rewarding than driving most of the competition. What differentiates the Azera from others is the way it feels from the driver's seat, and the signals the various mechanicals send to the driver through the car's touch points. Both the SE and the Limited are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 263 horsepower. The Azera is front-wheel drive and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission with a Shiftronic feature.

2007 Hyundai Azera Design

The front styling of the Azera resembles that of the smaller Sonata but with the comfortable filling out that can come with healthy aging; not quite stately, but definitely wiser. The headlights are familiar, as is the shape of the grille, although the latter is textured on the Azera with fine horizontal lines, rather than the Sonata's single bold slash. Similarly, Azera's lower air intake is gently split horizontally, and its bumper subtly detailed with thin, bright-finish bump strips at each corner. The Azera's back end is equally reminiscent of the Sonata, again albeit fuller, more mature. Sonata-like shapes outline the lighting arrangements and license plate. A unique reflector strip reaching across the trunk lid doubles as a background for the only external display of the name, Azera. A bright strip along the top of the bumper finishes the loop started at the front and carried along the side. Widely spaced dual exhaust tips add a sporty touch.

Inside the 2007 Azera

Inside, fit and finish set a new standard for the marque, with quality materials and assembly. There's a quiet elegance in the simplicity of the instruments, usability of the controls and sleekness of design. What isn't readily visible received the same attention as what is, with hardware studiously hidden away and storage bins fully finished. The seats, front and rear, are comfortable and supportive. Front seat bases are fully enclosed so hardware isn't exposed. The driver's seat power lumbar covers an impressive range. Front seats give more and better thigh support than the rears, but the copious rear seat leg room more than compensates, helped by the rear doors' remarkably wide openings. In trunk space, the Hyundai Azera is near the head of this class. The center console is trimmed in natural-looking woodgrain and brushed aluminum. Up front, almost tucked up underneath the dash overhang, is a covered ashtray with lighter. Aft of this is a small cubby, with controls for the seat heaters. Driver and front passenger have access to a pair of cup holders that hide beneath a hinged cover at the forward end of the console. The top of the bi-level console and storage bin is padded.

Hyundai Azera Lineup

The SE comes with cloth upholstery; dual-zone climate control; four-way driver and two-way passenger power front seats; power windows, mirrors and central locking with keyless remote; leather-trimmed, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and shift knob; cruise control; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with steering wheel-mounted controls; bi-level front center console; and 16-inch wheels. The SE Premium Package ($1,800) adds a power tilt-and-slide sunroof; premium stereo with in-dash, 6CD changer; and heated front seats.

The Limited steps up with leather-trimmed seats (heated in front), woodgrain and leather-wrapped steering wheel, powered rear sunshade, 17-inch wheels and Michelin tires. The Limited Premium Package adds the power sunroof and premium stereo. The Ultimate Package includes the sunroof and stereo plus power adjustable pedals and tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; memory for the driver's seat, mirrors, and steering column; rain-sensing wipers; and power folding outside mirrors with new-for-2007 integrated turn signal indicators.

Conclusions

Safety features are comprehensive, including state-of-the-art frontal airbags, full-coverage side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints for the front seats, and LATCH child safety seat anchors. All five seating positions have adjustable head restraints and three-point belts; the front seatbelts have pre-tensioners and height-adjustable shoulder loops. Active safety features for crash avoidance include antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control and traction control. For updates on the latest model, visit the official Hyundai Azera website.