2011 Hyundai Azera: Up Close
The 2011 Azera's updates were deemed light enough that Hyundai didn't feel the need to hold a press conference at this year's Chicago Auto Show. Still, it has some light styling revisions, plus more power and better gas mileage — all good things in our book. The 2011 Azera hits dealerships this spring.
Up front, the headlights look more well-defined than the 2010 model's, although their frames remain similar. The lower bumper adopts an air dam reminiscent of Hyundai's Genesis Coupe. New LED taillights and reshaped tailpipes gussy up the tail, but we're guessing few people will tell the 2011 apart from the 2010 by glancing at the rear. Car geeks, in contrast, will be able to tell the two apart up front. Changes to the cabin are minimal. There's a new faux-metal trim across several areas, and the turn signals add a three-blink lane change feature. The gauges have a new "Eco" indicator that illuminates green during fuel-efficient driving. (Eco indicators may very well be the gas tank arrow of our times, given how many automakers are throwing them in.) The Azera continues to offer a number of upscale features — among them a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rear sunshade and power-folding mirrors. Like before, the stereo has a standard USB/iPod jack.
The sedan comes in GLS and Limited trims, available respectively with a 3.3- or 3.8-liter V-6. Valvetrain tweaks and enhanced airflow bring power up to 260 horsepower and 283 hp, up from 234 hp and 263 hp with last year's 3.3- and 3.8-liter V-6s. Both engines drop last year's five-speed automatic for a six-speed auto. Gas mileage is up to 20/28 mpg with the 3.3-liter V-6 and 19/27 mpg with the 3.8-liter V-6; both figures represent roughly a 2 mpg improvement over last year's, and the 3.3-liter nearly ties the 2011 Toyota Avalon's impressive 20/29 mpg.
(source: cars.com)
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