The Hyundai Azera, also known as the Hyundai Grandeur in some markets, is a large sedan that was produced and marketed by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai from 1986 to 2020. The Azera was Hyundai’s flagship sedan in the US and Canada until the arrival of the Genesis brand in 2015. After the 2017 model year, the Azera was discontinued in North America, but continued to be sold in South Korea, the Middle East, and some other regions. The Azera was replaced by the Hyundai Sonata and the Genesis G80 in the US and Canada.
The Azera was a well-finished, comfortable, and refined sedan that offered a relaxed ride quality, sound handling, and a quiet interior. The Azera also featured a generous back seat, a spacious trunk, and a sleek exterior design. The Azera was powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine that produced 290 horsepower and 338 Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Azera came with multiple driving modes, a smart cruise control system, and various safety and convenience features.
In this article, we will discuss why the Azera was discontinued, but still desirable for many car buyers. We will cover the following topics:
- The history and evolution of the Azera
- The strengths and weaknesses of the Azera
- The competitors and alternatives of the Azera
- The reasons and impacts of the Azera’s discontinuation
- The tips and advice for buying a used Azera
We will also provide relevant examples, case studies, and statistics to support our points. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the Hyundai Azera, a discontinued but still desirable large sedan.
The history and evolution of the Azera
The Azera was the successor of the Hyundai Grandeur, which was a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Debonair. The Grandeur was launched in 1986 as Hyundai’s first near-luxury car, and was popular in South Korea. The Grandeur was also exported to some markets, such as Australia and New Zealand, under the name Hyundai XG. The Grandeur underwent several facelifts and generations, and was renamed as the Azera in 2005 for the North American market.
The first generation Azera (codenamed TG) was introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model year. The Azera was based on the Hyundai Sonata platform, but was larger and more upscale. The Azera was equipped with a 3.3-liter or a 3.8-liter V6 engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission. The Azera offered a smooth and quiet ride, a spacious and luxurious cabin, and a competitive price. The Azera received positive reviews from critics and consumers, and won several awards, such as the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year and the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study.
The second generation Azera (codenamed HG) was introduced in 2011 as a 2012 model year. The Azera was redesigned with a more stylish and aerodynamic exterior, and a more refined and sophisticated interior. The Azera was powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine with direct injection, and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Azera also featured a new suspension system, a more advanced infotainment system, and more safety and convenience features. The Azera continued to receive praise from critics and consumers, and won several awards, such as the 2012 Good Design Award and the 2013 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors.
The third generation Azera (codenamed IG) was introduced in 2016 as a 2017 model year. The Azera was further improved with a more elegant and dynamic exterior, and a more spacious and comfortable interior. The Azera was powered by a 3.0-liter or a 3.3-liter V6 engine with direct injection, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Azera also featured a new grille design, a new headlight and taillight design, a new instrument cluster, and a new steering wheel. The Azera also offered more advanced safety and convenience features, such as a blind spot detection system, a lane keep assist system, and a wireless charging system.
However, the third generation Azera was not sold in the US and Canada, as Hyundai decided to discontinue the Azera in these markets due to low sales and high competition. The Azera was also discontinued in some other markets, such as Europe and Australia, where the demand for large sedans was declining. The Azera was still sold in South Korea, the Middle East, and some other regions, where it remained popular. The Azera was also sold in China under the name Hyundai Celesta.
The strengths and weaknesses of the Azera
The Azera was a well-rounded and well-received large sedan that had many strengths and few weaknesses. Here are some of the main strengths and weaknesses of the Azera:
- Strengths:
- Value. The Azera offered a lot of value for its price, as it provided a high level of quality, performance, comfort, and features. The Azera was cheaper than most of its rivals, such as the Toyota Avalon, the Nissan Maxima, and the Buick LaCrosse. The Azera also had a lower cost of ownership, as it had a long warranty, a low depreciation rate, and a high reliability rating.
- Space. The Azera offered a lot of space for its passengers and cargo, as it had a large and roomy cabin, a generous and comfortable back seat, and a spacious and practical trunk. The Azera had more interior volume and trunk space than most of its competitors, such as the Ford Taurus, the Chevrolet Impala, and the Kia Cadenza. The Azera also had a wide and flat floor, a high roofline, and a large door opening, which made it easy to enter and exit the car.
- Style. The Azera offered a lot of style for its segment, as it had a sleek and elegant exterior design, and a refined and sophisticated interior design. The Azera had a distinctive and dynamic front fascia, a graceful and aerodynamic side profile, and a harmonious and balanced rear end. The Azera also had a luxurious and modern dashboard, a stylish and ergonomic center console, and a classy and cozy cabin. The Azera also had a variety of colors, materials, and finishes to choose from, which enhanced its appeal and personality.
- Weaknesses:
- Visibility. The Azera had some visibility issues, as it had a high beltline, a low roofline, a small rear window, and thick pillars. The Azera also had a large front overhang, a long hood, and a wide body, which made it hard to judge the distance and position of the car. The Azera also had a low seating position, which reduced the driver’s view of the road. The Azera tried to compensate for these issues with some features, such as a rearview camera, a blind spot detection system, and a rear cross-traffic alert system, but they were not enough to eliminate them completely.
- Handling. The Azera had some handling issues, as it had a soft and floaty suspension, a light and vague steering, and a heavy and sluggish body. The Azera was not very agile or responsive, especially in tight corners and quick maneuvers. The Azera also had a lot of body roll, understeer, and brake dive, which reduced its stability and confidence. The Azera tried to improve its handling with some features, such as a sport mode, a stability control system, and a brake assist system, but they were not enough to make it fun or engaging to drive.
- Awareness. The Azera had some awareness issues, as it was not very well-known or popular among the car buyers and the car critics. The Azera was overshadowed by its rivals, such as the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Genesis G80, which had more brand recognition, market share, and media attention. The Azera also suffered from a lack of marketing and promotion, as Hyundai focused more on its other models, such as the Elantra, the Santa Fe, and the Tucson. The Azera also had a confusing and inconsistent name, as it was called the Grandeur in some markets, and the Celesta in others.