Hyundai Azera

When it comes to the interior, Hyundai has something special awaiting you inside the Azera. First, the incredible amount of space, followed by classic, opulent design, are two standout aspects of the cabin. Then comes the combination of luxury that blends luxurious and comfortable. The interior gets soft-touch surfaces, real leather seats, and plush chrome trim, making it quite premium and way above its segment. The dashboard looks simple yet handsomely stylish, with easy-to-reach controls. The panoramic sunroof is large and provides a lot of natural light into the cabin, keeping the cabin open and airy. After spending some time inside the Azera, you will complement Hyundai's attention to detail and quality with an exciting space that is functional for daily use and long road trips.

Front Seats

The Azera's front is not just soft and welcoming but also promises you utmost comfort and support for your body, so the long driver won’t feel fatigued. Covered with high-quality soft leather, provided with several power adjustments, including lumbar support, so the driver and passenger can set them up to their personal choice. The Azira has heated and cooled seats, and they will serve you, given the weather conditions in KSA. The driver's seat has a memory option to remember your favourite settings (much to your relief, if any other family member uses the car!). Considering the time you’re spending in the driver's seat, they are full of luxury and make the interior of the car feel even more comfortable.

Back Seats

The rear seat is where you would love to be in the Azera, as there is a lot that makes them cool, comfortable and luxurious, considering the long wheelbase, with enough room and comfort. The leather-trimmed rear seat is cosy enough for three adults with plenty of legroom and headroom, you won’t feel cramped at any stretch of the imagination. The heated rear seats come as an option, which is great on cold days, if you opt for them. Then comes the fold-down armrest with cup holders to provide extra convenience. What you would admire is the sizable windows and the panoramic sunroof, which keep the cabin well-lit, airy and fresh, most of the time. The rear seats also fold down to provide extra cargo room, so you can haul larger objects and still carry passengers in comfort.

Practicality 

To our mind, as we get under the Azera to review, we find it scores considerably well when it comes to practicality, along with luxury. This is what Hyundai is always known for in KSA, and customers really love the brand. This sedan is full of storage areas such as a large glove box, door pockets, and a large centre console for your belongings. The trunk is spacious enough for luggage or groceries, and the back seats fold flat to provide you with more room when you need it. The power trunk opens and closes automatically without your hands, undoubtedly making life a lot easier when you are up for loading and unloading heavy stuff. There are also numerous cup holders and charging stations, making the car convenient for all the people inside. This balance of space and intelligent features makes the Azera a convenient option for professionals and families.

Charging Options

Today’s car won’t be useful if our digital devices aren’t working, and to keep them running is charging. And, car owners want a charger across the cabin for quick and effortless charging. In Azera, there are two USB ports for both front and rear passengers, including fast-charging USB-C ports to quickly power up phones and tablets. You also get a wireless charging option to place your compatible device on the pad without having to deal with cables. Notably, the charging points are well placed around the cabin, making it easy to keep devices powered without confusion and keep the place free without a cable. This thoughtful setup helps everyone stay connected on the go.

Boot space 

One advantage of a sedan over an SUV is the boot space, and this is quite visible in the Azera. It has a sizable boot space, and so if you’re on a family trip for a weekend getaway or for a week, fitting those bags and suitcases won’t be really that big a deal, as the boot can take several of them, with ease. If that is not enough, fold the rear seats, and a whole new space is opened up to carry larger items. The smart power trunk lets you open and close the boot hands-free, which is very handy when your hands are full.

Another key aspect of the sedan is the safety, with plenty of the latest features that ensure you feel confident on the road, and taken care of by Hyundai in this luxury sedan. There are these standard multiple airbags placed around the cabin, including front, side, curtain, and even one for the driver's knees, offering full coverage in case of an accident. Then comes the front and rear sensors plus a 360-degree camera for parking and tight spots.

Then, some advanced features for safety are Electronic Stability Control and Vehicle Stability Assist to assist in keeping the car steady during sudden turns or slippery road conditions. The braking system comprises ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Forward Collision Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist alert you to any potential crashes, and automatically apply brakes if needed. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System keeps an eye on your tires and dicates of any pressure drop, a good safety warning on the road. You also get an electronic parking brake, traction control, and a night vision system. There is hardly anything that is missing from the list, and so, the Azera comes fully equipped to take on busy city roads or long, speedy highway drives with ease, fully protected.

Safety Feature

• Night Vision System
• High Beam Assist (HBA)

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)

• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)

• Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA)

• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)

• Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM)

• Lane Departure Mitigation / Lane Departure Warning (RDM/LDW)

• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)

• Safety Power Window System

• Center Side Airbags
• Rollover Response Curtain Airbags

Front

The Hyundai Azera immediately grabs attention owing to its distinctive and sleek design, which has enough curves to make it look highly desirable. The front portion gets a sizable, wide grille with a unique dark chrome pattern that blends modernness with boldness. The glossy, horizontal LED lamp spreads across the front, which has now become Hyundai’s special design USP, giving the car a futuristic look, which stays with you forever. Which is paired with sharp full LED headlights, and it is quite clear, the front end appears subtle, high-tech, and refined without feeling too splashy.

Side

From the side, the Azera looks gleaning, just a coupe-inspired body language thanks to its frameless windows and auto-flush door handles, automatic, distance sensitive as they pop out when you come closer to the car, or perhaps you need them to. that sit flush with the body but pop out when needed. These small but meaningful details give the car a sporty yet sophisticated touch to its overall profile. Similarly, the attractive and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels look quite fashionable and give an imposing road presence, highlighting the car’s premium presence on the road.

Rear

At the rear, there is a lot that is new, stylish and attention-grabbing as well. Starting from the connected LED tail lights, which stretch across the tailgate, along the way gives you a nice impression of a wide, smart appearance.. The rear bumper may look substantial but nicely well-balanced, and helps complement the front design uniquely, with a bulk and sizable truck door.

Hyundai is offering the Azera in multiple exterior colours that should appeal to a wide range of customers in KSA. This includes classic shades like Serenity White Pearl or Abyss Black Pearl, Transmission Blue Pearl or Yugi Bronze Metallic. Customers looking for a modern and edgy style, matte finishes like Nocturne Gray Matte and Yugi Bronze Matte add a unique vibe.

So, to summarise this premium sedan from Hyundai, we think Azera has a unique design, and certainly sets the segment abuzz with its stylish exterior, which is not just futuristic but also way ahead of time. Whether you’re navigating city streets or cruising down the highway, this sedan makes a confident statement.

3.5-Litre GDi Petrol Engine

This petrol engine has a high 300hp of power and a solid 366 Nm of torque, mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission, an excellent dual play for maximum performance. Along the way promise you a great choice for those who want a strong and responsive sedan, across all kinds of driving conditions and terrains. 

City Performance

The V6 engine is definitely a breeze, quiet, smooth and effortless while navigating city traffic or otherwise, handles stop-and-go traffic with ease. A special mention is of the automatic gearbox, which is very smooth, shifts seamlessly, and helps keep the ride comfortable, importantly, fuel-efficient. Buyers in KSA will appreciate it, and despite its power, the engine stays composed in city driving conditions, mostly, is what we experienced in our drive, and gives enough punch for quick overtakes and merging without much effort.

Highway Performance

On the highway, the story is much different, where we noticed the engine really stands out. By ensuring strong and steady acceleration, superb for confident overtaking and cruising at high speeds. We never felt any jerk or noise, for the most part, the engine runs quietly and smoothly, while the 8-speed automatic transmission helps optimise fuel use during long drives. The Azera is an example of a stable and planted journey that makes it relaxed and enjoyable.

1.6-Litre Turbo Petrol Hybrid Engine

As one might expect, the hybrid engine is a combination of an electric motor to produce a combined 180 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque. It gets a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and features Hyundai's advanced E-Motion Drive system, providing two modes: E-Comfort Drive for smooth, relaxed driving and E-Dynamic Drive, and you’re pretty much assured of a more responsive acceleration and handling.

City Performance

Now, on our drive inside the city, the hybrid impressed us a lot with the way it uses electric power to lower fuel consumption and emissions. The acceleration is smooth and startstops any jerk or excess vibrations, and for the most part,  delivers a quiet, comfortable ride. The E-Comfort mode emphasises smoothness, while the hybrid's swift response aids with acceleration from traffic lights or when overtaking.

Highway Performance

On the highway, the E-Dynamic mode kicks in to offer that extra power and stability you need during acceleration and cornering. The combined petrol-electric powertrain means a steady performance and superior fuel efficiency, which is perfect for your longer trips. The hybrid system also helps keep the ride smooth and stable, improving overall fuel economy compared to a regular petrol engine.

Ride Quality

Now, here is our impression of the Azera’s ride quality, and here we have quite positive feedback based on our experience. For the most part, this sedan promises you a smooth and comfortable ride. Several elements make it that way, and right at the top is the suspension system, which does its job of absorbing bumps and uneven roads very well, so no matter whether you’re on city streets with potholes or cruising on the highway, the ride stays calm and steady. You won’t feel anything inside the cabin, which also implies that it is quiet and relaxed, with very little vibration or harshness reaching the passengers. Hyundai has done a great job here. The car’s size and weight are handled carefully, which means passengers get a soft and plush ride without feeling unsettled by rough patches on the road, which qualifies the Azera as a great choice for daily commuting and highway driving, too.

Handling

On the handling, Azera performs better than we had anticipated, given its size as a full-size sedan and road presence. We feel the steering is well-balanced, and so we always felt in control and confident, almost every drive, no matter the type/terrain. The Sedan comes with a front-wheel-drive setup, and the chassis responds well whether you are taking tight corners in the city or driving fast on the highway. The Azeza feels stable and nimble, and offers multiple driving modes. We choose between a more relaxed, comfort-focused setting and a sportier mode that sharpens throttle response and steering feel. In short, the Azera tries a good balance of smoothness and agility, making it enjoyable to drive without losing the luxury and comfort you expect.

Like we see in almost every Hyundai car, always loaded with the most practical and segment-best features, Azera, being the premium sedan, is no different, and you get some of the most fascinating ones that are modern and futuristic. The first attraction is the large touchscreen infotainment that is superbly integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster shows clear and customizable driving info, nicely designed and placed on the dashboard.

• Keyless Entry
• Push Button Start
• Smart Key with Remote Start
• Wireless Phone Charging

• Power Adjustable Steering Wheel

• Multi-Zone Climate Control

• Heads Up Display (HUD)

• Surround View Monitor

• Rear Ventilation Seats

• Column-Type Shift by Wire

• Power Rear Side Window Sunshade

• BOSE Premium Sound System

• UVC Sterilization Lighting

• Rear Seat Center Console Armrest

Classic (SAR 155,985)

• A variant gets the familiar, powerful 3.5L engine. Buyers who don’t want to spend a lot but want performance will find a perfect choice..
• Has all the necessary comfort and safety features, hence a practical choice for everyday driving.
• A cost-effective variant for those who want a premium sedan without premium features but a good driving experience, comfort and spacious cabin.

Exclusive (SAR 169,900)

• Offered with extra convenience and style features over the Classic, and appeals to buyers who want enhanced comfort and a stylish look.
• Some key upgrades improve the driving experience without a high price tag, but there is a premium to the basic variant.
• If you don’t mind paying a little extra for a balance between affordability and added luxury, this is for you.

Premium (SAR 182,550)

• This variant has a clear focus on luxury and advanced technology features such as leather seats, enhanced infotainment, and additional safety systems equipment. 
• The most differentiator is a refined cabin experience with a dual-zone climate control and premium sound system.

Calligraphy (SAR 204,400)

• As the price of this variant gets a significant bump, and so gets loaded with all premium features that include ventilated and heated seats, advanced driver assistance systems, and a sunroof.
• Here, what is offered is luxury, technology, and safety for a greater driving and passenger experience.
• Anyone who doesn’t mind paying all the premiums but expects the most comprehensive and sophisticated model available will find everything they wish in a premium sedan. 

Recommendation: Our recommendation is the Exclusive variant based on several factors, like considering everyday drive, the comfort at the right price. Here you are getting a suitable balance between reasonable price and a combination of features, a far upgraded cabin for comfort, quality material, and improved convenience without paying the extra premium. On the performance, you mostly get the blends of quality ride, for city and highway, along with advanced technology, one would expect in such a premium sedan. Even the Classic is practical, and the Premium and Calligraphy offer more luxury, the Exclusive is right in the middle with an optimised mix of everything, and so it comes as the most sensible pick for owners in KSA.

Now, the final take in the form of a verdict of  Hyundai Azera comes across as an elegant, spacious and luxurious sedan in its segment. Several characteristics define this sedan, which certainly is a trend setter among its peers. Hyundai promises quite a lot, including a premium interior, and a refined and well-tuned powertrain that consists of a powerful 3.5L V6 engine. And, when it comes to features, there is nothing short, like the large touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, for entertainment, comfort for a relaxing drive, with comprehensive safety inbuilt with top-class features. comfortable and connected ride. We love the cabin with high-quality material, comfort, and families will love to take the long car drive with the best ride quality and not a shortage of space. There are some areas where we felt Hyundai could have done better, like improving ride quality or enhancing mileage a little, but they aren’t the deal breaker, as buyers of this segment would focus more on the comfort and luxury, and in these areas, the Azera is perfect. And so, overall, we find this premium sedan quite fulfilling with the price and what is on offer.

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