The biggest news from the Azera’s configurator confirms the old port-injected 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V-6s have been replaced by a new direct-injected 3.3-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The overseas model, sold as the Grandeur in some markets,comes with a 270-horspeower 3.0-liter GDI V-6, so it’s not inconceivable the larger 3.3-liter could make between 290-300 horsepower, if not more.
The base Azera comes well-equipped with a navigation system and backup camera standard. Hyundai also includes lots of safety equipment standard such as: nine airbags; VSM; ESC with traction control; ABS with brake assist and daytime running lights. Other standard features include:
- 18-inch wheels
- Dual exhaust
- Heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators
- Proximity sensor with push-button start
- Heated front and rear leather seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and front passenger
- Seven-speaker audio system
- Dual climate control
- BlueTooth
- Hyundai’s Blue Link telemetric system
The $4000 Premium Package added:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 VR tires
- Panoramic sunroof
- HID xenon headlights
- Power rear sunshade
- Manual side window shades
- Infinity speakers with subwoofer and external amplifier
- Power adjustable tilt and telescopic steering column
- Memory seat, mirror and steering column
- Driver’s seat cushion extension
- Ventilated front seats
- Parking assistance sensors
- Interior ambient lighting
No sooner had we configured our car up to a theoretical $35,000, sans destination charge, than the Korean automaker pulled the plug on the survey. A base rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan with the 333-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission starts at $35,050 including the $850 destination charge. To get the same amount of equipment in the Genesis sedan, one would have to add two option packages totaling $8800, bringing the total for a comparably-equipped Genesis V-6 Sedan to $43,850.
Is the base rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan more appealing than a fully-loaded front-wheel drive Azera for roughly the same price? Share your thoughts below.
