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PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
handling is on the soft side
Edmunds
It falls well short of all-around composure
ConsumerGuide
remarkable acceleration
Kelley Blue Book
The 2008 Hyundai Azera is available in two different varieties: the GLS and the Limited--both with V-6 power.
As Cars.com indicates, "The Azera GLS has a 3.3-liter V-6 that produces 234 hp and 226 pounds-feet of torque. The Azera Limited has a 3.8-liter V-6 that makes 263 hp and 257 pounds-feet of torque. With either engine, the standard five-speed automatic transmission incorporates Shiftronic for manually selectable gear changes."
TheCarConnection.com finds the consensus appears to be that "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," as stated by Kelley Blue Book. However, the consensus also seems to be that, for buyers who can afford it, the 3.8-liter is well worth the $4,000 or so it will cost to buy a Limited (MSRP around $29,000) rather than a GLS (MSRP around $25,000).
Automedia finds much to like about the union of the larger V-6 engine and the automatic: “They make a nice couple. The V-6 flagship sails easily down the highway, with plenty of power on tap for passing and on-ramp merges. The transmission gets from gear to gear smoothly, with a manumatic mode for do-it-yourselfers.” Edmunds adds, “We've timed an Azera Limited at 7.1 seconds for the 0-60-mph run." However, Edmunds also notes, “Although this Hyundai never feels as athletic as cars like the Nissan Maxima and Chrysler 300, acceleration is brisk, and there's always ample power on tap from the V6.”
The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Azera with the smaller V-6 at 18/26 mpg, while the 3.8-liter gets 17/26 mpg.
Handling in the 2008 Hyundai Azera is cushy and isolated, according to the majority of reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com. Cars.com describes the suspension’s “double wishbones at the front and a multilink configuration at the rear. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard on both the Limited and GLS, the latter an upgrade from the 16-inchers last year.”
“The Azera's handling is on the soft side,” Edmunds reports. “However, the car feels predictable and secure around turns and the steering has a slick, accurate feel.” Automobile observes, “the Azera also mimics the [Toyota] Avalon's soft chassis tuning and overassisted steering.” Oddly, Kelley Blue Book finds the suspension to be "a little bouncy and a little harsh."
Conclusion
The 2008 Hyundai Azera is a soft-handling sedan, but it’s surprisingly powerful with the larger V-6 engine.
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