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2011 Hyundai Azera

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Overview

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2011 Hyundai Azera Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.5

Hyundai's evolution from an entry-level upstart to a full-line manufacturer of quality automobiles is nothing short of amazing, as evidenced by the 2011 Azera. Designed to compete with the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon, the Azera offers a desirable array of features, including a huge rear seat and a choice of two strong V6 engines, all at an unbeatable price. One of the most powerful V6 Hyundai has ever built, the company takes pride in pointing out the Azera Limited equipped with the 3.8-liter engine offers more standard horsepower than the BMW 528i.

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 2011 Hyundai Azera may be your next vehicle. It offers a spacious interior, supple ride and high-end amenities at a value price.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you believe status symbols are worth the extra cash, the Azera's Hyundai logo won't impress like one from BMW, Mercedes or Cadillac.

What's New for 2011

For 2011, improvements to both V6 engines provide more power and better fuel economy, while a new six-speed automatic replaces last year's five-speed unit. Other minor enhancements include revised front and rear fascias, new alloy wheels and the addition of Hyundai's EZ Lane Change Assist one-touch triple turn signal stalk.

Driving the Azera

Driving Impressions The 2011 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, 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 somewhat harsh on broken pavement; we also feel that for a near-luxury model the cabin had a bit too much road noise. On the other hand, the visibility is excellent, engine response terrific and we like the manual-shift mode of the automatic.

Favorite Features

Value
The Hyundai Azera offers a lot of features and power for not a lot out-of-pocket expense.

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.

2011 Hyundai Azera Details

Interior

The 2011 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 Azera's attention to detail can be seen in its smaller design elements, such as the LED accent lighting surrounding the front headlamps, clear lens integrated side mirror turn signals, and the tastefully restrained chrome trim on the grille and rear trunk lid. 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 260 horsepower, six-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 283-horsepower 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, USB/auxiliary audio inputs, power folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, wood trim on the steering wheel, a power rear sunshade and memory for the driver's seat, mirrors and steering wheel.

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 the Navigation Package, which adds an Infinity 605-watt Logic 7 Surround Sound audio system combined with an LG navigation unit.

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 283 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, is the best choice. Both engines use Hyundai's new Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) and a variable intake system, which helps each cylinder to breathe more efficiently at low and high rpm. They have an alloy block and cylinder heads for light weight and overall efficiency, and is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, with SHIFTRONIC manual control, that includes a sixth gear for highway cruising.

3.3-liter V6
260 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
233 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28

3.8-liter V6
283 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
263 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27

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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2011 Hyundai Azera Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 218 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."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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See all 218 reviews