2012 Hyundai Azera

Hyundai's aspirational sedan fills a showroom void. 

It’s hard to believe Hyundai has been selling cars in this country for more than 25 years. Wasn’t it just yesterday that the first Excel—remembered more for its low price than its Giugiaro-penned exterior—hit our shores with a thud? Since then, the brand has grown dramatically, in both the scope and quality of its offerings.

Intent on competing hard in all segments, Hyundai felt underrepresented in the gap between the new Sonata and the Genesis sedan, Hyundai’s rear-drive offering for aspirational types who aren’t quite making Equus-level money yet. To wit: The base prices of the Elantra and Sonata sedans are separated by about $4500. The gap between the Sonata and the Genesis, however, is more than $14,000—financial territory the previous Azera had difficulty defending. Enter the all-new-for-2012, $32,875 Azera—a reasonably priced front-drive automotive statement that says of its owner to the world, “I needed a car, and Hyundai sells cars.”

The Azera’s exterior measures 193.3 inches long and 73.2 inches wide, neatly splitting the difference between the Sonata (189.8/72.2) and the Genesis (196.3/74.4). The exterior follows Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design ethos and, lingo aside, is undeniably handsome. A chrome grille initiates the winged “in flight” theme that continues throughout the car, and a wraparound LED taillight treatment is—for the time being—unique to the Azera. Eighteen-inch wheels with 245/45 tires are standard.

Power-adjustable leather-upholstered front seats (standard), a well-located shifter, and the optional power tilting and telescoping wheel make short work of zeroing in on an optimal driving position. The dash pad spreads outward, wing-like from the center console, a continuation of the all-encompassing design theme. Driver and passenger have more room than they’ll ever need; our fully grown rear-seat occupant rode in complete comfort, even after we jacked the driver’s seat all the way back in a thinly veiled attempt to shatter his ankles. Heated front and rear seats, a backup camera, a navigation system, integrated Bluetooth, and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system all come standard; pony up an additional $4000 for the Technology package, and you’ll get 19-inch wheels, a tilt-and-slide sunroof, an Infinity audio system, ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-hyundai-azera-first-drive-review


Chicago Hyundai Dealers

Hyundai Prices 2013 Genesis Coupe From $25,125; 2012 Azera From $32,875; Increases For Both Cars

Hyundai has released pricing info for both the refreshed 2013 Genesis coupe and 2012 Azera sedan. The Genesis coupe’s base price rises by $2000 to $25,125, and the Azera’s increases by a healthy $6605 to $32,875. Furthermore, prices for every 2013 Genesis trim level are between $2000 and $2250 higher than 2012. (For a full rundown of the cars’ changes, check out our stories on the 2013 Genesis coupe and 2012 Azera.) The details:


2013 Genesis Coupe

• 2.0T: $25,125 + $1250 for optional eight-speed automatic ($2000 increase over 2012)
• 2.0T R-Spec: $27,375 ($2000 increase over 2012)
• 2.0T Premium: $29,625 ($2000 increase over 2012)
• 3.8 R-Spec: $29,625 ($2000 increase over 2012)
• 3.8 Grand Touring: $32,875 ($2250 increase over 2012)
• 3.8 Track: $33,875 + $1250 for optional eight-speed automatic ($2250 increase over 2012)

2012 Hyundai Azera

• Single trim level: $32,875 + $4000 for optional Technology Package
• Standard equipment includes: keyless entry and push-button start, heated leather front and rear seats, touch-screen navigation system, backup camera, premium audio with subwoofer, dual-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch wheels
• Technology package adds: panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, power rear sunshade, manual rear side sunshades, ventilated front seats, rear parking sensors, Infinity audio system, power-adjustable steering column, driver’s seat memory, mirror and steering column memory

The Genesis and Azera’s price increases make sense, after all, both cars are thoroughly reworked and, in the case of the Azera, there’s a lot more standard equipment than before. However, the Genesis coupe’s figures give us pause. First, a six-cylinder 2012 Ford Mustang starts at $23,105, more than $2000 less than the four-cylinder Genesis 2.0T while bringing 31 more hp to the party. Second, the Genesis 3.8, which is powered by a 348-hp V-6, is playing in the 412-hp 2012 Mustang GT’s sandbox when it comes to price if not performance. (And the 2013 Mustangs get even more power.) We will be driving both the new Genesis and Azera soon, when we’ll find out whether they are worthy of their premiums over last year’s models.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/hyundai-prices-2013-genesis-coupe-from-25125-2012-azera-from

Chicago Hyundai

2012 Chicago Auto Show: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT brings hatchback versatility

At the Chicago Auto Show this week, Hyundai unveiled a stylish Elantra coupe and this five-door Elantra GT. Based on the i30 model in Europe, the GT will be powered by the 148-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine common to the range, and teamed with a choice of six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

The GT gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway for the manual transmission—down one mpg from the sedan. In our tests, the high-scoring sedan returned 29 mpg overall.

Hyundai is touting the GT as lighter, roomier, and more aerodynamic than its competitors. The GT is 175 pounds lighter than a comparable Ford Focus, 151 pounds lighter than Mazda3, and 222 pounds lighter than Volkswagen Golf. The GT is also about 60 pounds heavier than the lightest Elantra sedan.
Inside, the Elantra GT has seating for five and can carry long items by folding down two seats. The cargo area also has a 12-volt outlet for plugging in portable electronic devices.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/02/2012-chicago-auto-show-2013-hyundai-elantra-gt-brings-hatchback-versatility.html