2008 Hyundai Azera

The Azera is a full-size luxury sedan offering from Hyundai. Now in its fourth generation, the car is designed as a low-priced alternative to the Lexus ES, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Buick LaCrosse, and so on.

The car's interior delivers nearly 44 inches of legroom up front and more than 38 inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers. Ny maximizing interior volume, the car offers more space than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 7-Series.

The Azera GLS is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 engine that produces 234 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. As the first member of Hyundai's 'Lambda' engine family, this engine has all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for a broad power band. It also features a Variable Intake System (VIS) that further broadens its power curve to improve off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New EPA fuel economy estimates for the Azera GLS are 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

The Azera Limited delivers more performance due to its 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine, which delivers 263 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. To maximize the power band, this engine also utilizes CVVT and a VIS to help cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high rpms. New EPA mileage figures for the Azera Limited are 17 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

Both V6 engines are matched with Hyundai's five-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control.

Safety features include eight standard airbags, active front head restraints to help prevent whiplash, a child seat Lower Anchors, Tethers for Children (LATCH) system and three-point seatbelts for all positions, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake performance even with differing vehicle loading.

Standard interior features include 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. The Azera interior is also now available in beige or gray premium cloth (GLS only) and beige, gray and black leather (standard on Limited and optional on GLS).

An AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system that includes a four-channel, 172-watt internal amplifier and six speakers comes standard in the Azera GLS. An available Infinity audio system includes a 7-channel, 315-watt amplifier with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers (standard in Limited trim levels).

The Azera with "Premium Package" adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a power sunroof to an already loaded standard equipment package.

The "Navigation Package" includes the LG navigation system and premium 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 surround sound audio system. The six-disc CD changer is replaced by the navigation system.

The "Ultimate Package" delivers a 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 Surround Sound AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with 12 speakers (including subwoofer) and external amplifier. It also offers a power tilt and slide sunroof, power adjustable tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, integrated memory system (power driver seat, exterior mirrors, and power tilt and telescopic steering wheel), woodgrain steering wheel and door pulls, and rain-sensing wipers.