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2008 Hyundai Azera

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Overview

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2008 Hyundai Azera Review

By KBB.com Editors

Who would have thought the company that brought us the lackluster Excel subcompact two decades ago would now be building a car to rival some of the best near-luxury sedans in America? Hyundai's evolution from an entry-level upstart to a full-line manufacturer of quality automobiles is nothing short of amazing and culminates with its latest achievement, the 2008 Azera. Designed to compete with the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon, the Azera offers an impressive array of features, including a huge rear seat and a choice of two strong V6 engines, and all at an unbeatable price. One of the most powerful Hyundais ever built, the company takes pride in pointing out the Azera Limited equipped with the 3.8-liter V6 offers more standard horsepower than the BMW 528i or Buick LaCrosse.

You'll Like This Car If...

If getting the most bang for your buck is more important than the name affixed to your next car's trunk, the 2008 Hyundai Azera is for you. It offers a spacious ride with high-end amenities at a fair price. It's a family-friendly sedan with performance and style.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you are going to be driving long distances a lot of the time, you may want to shop around. We found the ride quality and cabin noise to be among the lesser of the Azera's many qualities.

What's New for 2008

Along with an enhanced suspension, the GLS has 17-inch alloy wheels and body-colored rocker panels, while the Limited gets a power sunroof, side-mirror turn signals and an Infinity sound system. The SE trim has been discontinued.

Driving the Azera

Driving Impressions The 2008 Hyundai Azera equipped with the 3.8-liter engine has the kind of remarkable acceleration that can get you going quickly and easily. When we found ourselves in a sudden...

traffic jam on a bridge, the brakes were strong, sure and precise. The Azera also handled well in parking situations and was agile to maneuver. We thought the suspension, however, was a little bouncy and a little harsh, and the cabin had a bit too much noise. On the other hand, the visibility is excellent, engine response terrific and we like the manual-shift mode of the automatic.

Favorite Features

Style
The Hyundai Azera has lovely lines and a classy look. We like the performance of this vehicle. We know it's not a sports car, but the engine has a sweet sound that perfectly matches its response.

Power Rear Sunshade
One very interesting and thoughtful feature on the Limited Edition is the rear sunshade that automatically rolls up when the car is in reverse gear, so you can see what's behind you.

2008 Hyundai Azera Details

Interior

The 2008 Hyundai Azera GLS uses a suede-like seat-surface material that could pass for the real deal and is just as soft to the touch. The Limited Edition adds plush leather seating surfaces and just the right aesthetic touches of wood trim. The cabin is comfortably cozy but has a big, open feeling. The beige interior -- beige-on-beige with unexciting vinyl -- is not exactly stimulating, but the soft curved shapes of the dash are easy on the eyes and the controls are simple to understand and operate. The rear seat is roomy enough for three, with a 40/60-split seatback that pulls down easily for additional storage. The trunk is huge, with enough room to accommodate a family's worth of summer vacation luggage or a couple of sets of golf clubs.

Exterior

Drawing on the increasingly sophisticated Hyundai design lines, the Azera's profile wouldn't look out of place in a line-up of more expensive Lexus or Mercedes models. The Azera has look-at-me appeal, with a squared-off rear end and wraparound bank of LED taillights that spell drama and a front that forms into a stylish V with all lines flowing smoothly. The form is classic and looks expensive.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Azera GLS's impressive list of standard features includes a 3.3-liter DOHC V6 engine with 234 horsepower, five-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC manual control, electronic stability control and traction control. Eight airbags, active front head restraints, LED tail and brake lamps and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 capability add to the mix. The Azera Limited receives a 3.8-liter V6, leather-trimmed seating with heated front seats, a power sunroof, 315-watt Infinity sound system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and 10 speakers, wood trim on the steering wheel and a power rear sunshade.

Optional Equipment

The GLS options list includes the Premium Package, which adds leather seating, heated front seats and a power sunroof. The Azera Limited offers navigation (the navigation screen replaces the six-disc CD changer), 605-watt Logic 7 Surround Sound audio, power-adjustable steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers and an integrated memory system for the driver's seat, mirrors and steering wheel.

Under the Hood

The standard 3.3-liter V6 may not be as powerful as the available 3.8-liter, but it does offer acceptable levels of performance and smoothness. If you can swing the extra cost, the all-aluminum 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine, which delivers 263 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque, is the best choice. The engine uses continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and a variable intake system, which helps the cylinders breathe efficiently at low and high rpm. It has an alloy block and cylinder heads for light weight and overall efficiency, and is coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission, with SHIFTRONIC manual control, that includes a fifth gear for highway cruising.

3.3-liter V6
234 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
226 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26

3.8-liter V6
263 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
257 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Hyundai Azera vehicles for sale near you.

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2008 Hyundai Azera Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 219 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.3/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.5/10
Comfort

9.4/10

Styling

9.4/10

Love it, even after 7 years!

By RB (TN) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 110,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Never a problem with it. Comfortable, reliable"

Cons: "Big, but still pretty good milage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I have loved this car since I got it in 2006. I rarely give anything a 10, so it got my highest rating of a 9. Still purrs along, never had a major issue with it, and the comfort has been superb. I would definitely buy another Hyundai."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Great ride poor, convenience options motors

By Denim 20 (NJ) on Tuesday, December 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 92,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun and easy to drive"

Cons: "Internal motors break, expensive to replace"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"This is one of the nicest car I have had. It's very comfortable and drives well. The problem is with options motors. The back shade motor went, then the front passenger stopped working and now the CD player doesn't work. These are all options that I seldom used. I also feel the heater may be getting ready to stop working. It takes much longer to heat and doesn't get as warm. I am the only driver so I have to assume these motors weren't built to last. I hope this is a problem that has been corrected within the past five years."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Comparable to Lincolns!!!!

By NC Man (NC) on Monday, November 19, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 69,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Comfort,Audio System,Sunshade,Engine,Fold mirrors"

Cons: "No Bluetooth or Rear Camera Should of upgraded..."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned quite a few luxury cars and this car is definitely a contender. Hyundai has never been my number one pick but after test driving and buying it is one of the best cars i have owned in a while. I will definitely buy the new version of the azera or even opt for the step above which would be the genesis or the Equus. Hyundai has really brought the game with this new cars."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Comfort and Value

By MAK (MN) on Tuesday, October 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 58,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Powerful v-6, just under 30mpg highway, comfort"

Cons: "Suspension could be a bit softer"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I purchased my Azera after comparing it with the Toyota Avalon and Buick Lucerne. For the money, the other two don't even compare. The features and quality of the Azera are amazing and I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a comfortable, quality full-size sedan."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Great vehicle

By Dean (MO) on Saturday, August 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 27,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great price wonderful driving machine."

Cons: "?"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought it after originally looking at an AVALON for my wife and it became my car a couple of years later when she thought she had to still have the Avalon Limited. Well, the Avalon ended up being traded for a Genesis but I've still got the Azera. No problems, comfortable, and it still runs like it was new. Would recommend it to anyone."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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what a dream to own

By travaler (PA) on Wednesday, April 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "smoothe, comfy,good gas mileage, good pickup,"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I travel 60,000 miles a year and this car has met all of my needs without a single problem other than routine maintenance. I wish they made this car in awd."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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See all 219 reviews