Hyundai Azera

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Hyundai sets price for 2013 Azera, joins siblings with slight increase

The success of Hyundai continues, but in 2013 the Hyundai Azera will join siblings Elantra, Equus, Geneis 5.0 R-Spec, Santa Fe and Tucson with a slight price increase. The 2013 Azera will have a sticker price of $33,125 (including an $825 destination charge), a $250 increase from 2012. The new Azera is a carryover model from 2012, and with the 2013 model it’s priced less than 2013 Nissan Maxima but higher than the 2013 Chrysler 300 and 2013 Ford Taurus.The new prices for the Elantra, Equus, Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, Santa Fe and Tucson have already been announced. As a new model in 2012, the Hyundai Azera featured a Lambda II 3.3-liter GDI engine, six-speed transmission, 293 horsepower, nine standard airbags;

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Redesigned sedan enchances carmaker's stellar lineup

The old Hyundai Azera sedan was solid, although bland. But with swoopy new styling, more power and lots of features, the redone 2012 model that arrived this spring makes the car stand out. The new front-wheel-drive Azera comes in only one spacious trim level and slots between Hyundai’s Sonata and Genesis models. It looks more expensive, inside and out, than its $32,000 list price might suggest. Its nicely shaped and bumper-integrated tailpipes look as if they came from a top custom-car operation. The only option is a $4,000 package that contains such items as wider tires on 19-inch (vs. 18-inch) wheels, ventilated front seats and a huge panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade. The Azera’s long list of standard items

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Hyundai popularity continues with all-time record sales month

Hyundai achieved its all-time best sales month in March 2012, with the South Korean manufacturer selling 69,728 vehicles. The record was a 13 percent improvement from March 2011, the company's previous best sales month. For the first quarter 2012, Hyundai sales have increased 15 percent over 2011 and overall retail sales through dealerships have risen 33 percent over last March. “As Hyundai continues to offer more fuel-efficient vehicles, we are seeing more and more consumers in our showrooms, resulting in greater 40-mpg highway vehicle sales than ever before,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “Our 40-mpg vehicle sales are up an astonishing 67.5 percent over last March.” Here are Hyundai's comparative sales numbers from 2011 to

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Academy Awards: Mercedes-Benz joins Hyundai, debuts new hybrid commercial

Mercedes-Benz will join Hyundai during the 82nd annual Academy Awards as carmakers debuting commercials for new 2012 models. In the instance of Mercedes-Benz, the debut will be showcased in a 30-second spot call "Tree of Innovation" and it will be for the S400 HYBRID. The commercial also showcases the company's expanding repertoire of environmentally oriented vehicles. The ad is the first to feature the new "voice" for Mercedes-Benz advertising, Jon Hamm, the Golden Globe winning star of the TV series Mad Men. Hyundai is debuting two 30-second spots for the 2012 Azera. Jeff Bridges, the Academy Award winning actor, is the voice of Hyundai. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Modern family showcases car's comfort in Academy Awards spot

In the second of the new 2012 Hyundai Azera commercials set for broadcast Feb. 26 during the Academy, the comforts of the car's interior are "examined" — from the owner's driveway. It's called Modern Life, and shows the husband of the family working in a frantic pace in the kitchen while his wife is relaxing in their new Azera in the driveway. The husband doesn't know his wife is the driveway, however. According to the carmaker, " the Hyundai Azera's interior surrounds you with an array of sumptuous amenities such as front and rear heated seats, ventilated power front seats with an adjustable driver seat cushion extension, ambient lighting system, available premium Infinity or Dimension audio systems and HD Radio

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Academy Awards: Hyundai takes starring role again at Oscars (video)

Hyundai, the automotive car sponsor for the Academy Awards for the fourth straight year, will have nine commercials broadcast during the Feb. 26 coverage of the Oscars on ABC. The Hyundai spots will include two pre-show ads and seven commercials during the telecast. Two of the commercials, directed by filmmaker Wes Anderson, will feature the new 2012 Hyundai Azera. The new Azera is expected to arrive at dealerships soon. The spots, “Modern Life” and “Talk to My Car,” focus on the car’s high-end features and connectivity system called Blue Link. Both commercials are reminiscent of Anderson’s movies including “Rushmore” and ”The Royal Tenenbaums.” The rest of Hyundai’s 30-second spots feature its Sonata Hybrid, Elantra, Equus, Genesis Coupe and Genesis R-Spec,

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2013 and Azera 2012 pricing announced

Prices for the refreshed 2013 Genesis Coupe have been announced, starting at $24,250 for the 2.0T model paired with a six-speed manual transmission and extending to $34,250 for the 3.8 Grand Touring model with a V6 and 8-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission. The facelifted Genesis Coupe features more aggressive exterior styling. The 2013 Genesis Coupe interiro has been enhanced with distinctive, upscale features. The 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine adds direct-injection technology for improved horsepower, better fuel economy and lower emissions. Peak horsepower rises to 348, a gain of 42, and peak torque increases to 295 lb.-ft. on premium fuel. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine now generates 274 horsepower, a 64 hp improvement, and 275 lb.-ft. of torque on premium fuel. Automatic transmissions

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Hyundai shines in 2011 with Sonata, Elantra driving 20 percent sales increase

Hyundai Motor America had a record year sales year in 2011. In addition to the Hyundai Elantra selling more than one million units worldwide, the South Korean manufacturer had its largest-selling in the United States with a sales increase of 20 percent over 2010 totals. The Alabama-built Sonata and North American Car of the Year finalist Elantra both set full-year records with sales of 225,961 units (up 15 percent) and 186,361 (up 41 percent), respectively. Seven of the 10 vehicle styles Hyundai sold in the United States in 2011 had increased sales, with the Azera and Santa Fe the only styles that sold few units in 2011 than in 2010. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster joined the Hyundai lineup in 2011.

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Bigger engine, best-of-class mpg

The 2012 Hyundai Azera, which features a more powerful Lambda II 3.3-liter GDI engine, six-speed transmission, best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon and a wide range of advanced safety equipment, is making its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

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World debuts for Mazda, Ford, Honda at LA Auto Show

World debuts of 20 cars from Chevrolet to Honda and more than 30 North American auto unveilings will comprise a chunky dose of the anticipated start November 16 of the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the 1,000 new vehicles on display at the Los Angeles Convention Center, several manufacturers have upgraded exhibit spaces and added enhanced features with more interactive content and experiences. There will also be more than a half-dozen test drives that put consumers in the seats and on the streets in some new vehicles on select days. Notable this year will be a significant increase in fuel efficiency across the board in all categories. Nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40-mpg-plus vehicles, using internal combustion engines-such as the

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Hyundai Azera 2012: Redesigned sedan set for LA debut

The redesigned 2012 Hyundai Azera, the poorest-selling of the hot-selling manufacturer’s models which will be available early next year, will be unveiled in November at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. “We’re in the final stages of ride/handling tuning for the 2012 Azera, and it’s dialing in nicely,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, on the company’s Twitter account. Hyundai Azera Specs Not Available Hyundai has not released details of the new design, but a company spokesperson to the automotive site Inside Line that the Azera will get get the “fluidic design language of the Hyundai Sonata, Elantra and Accent.” Some automotive websites have reported the Azera may get a new 3.3-liter direct-injection V6 producing around 300 horsepower.

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Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, Ford get best used cars honors

Hyundai keeps reaping praise. Edmunds.com, the respected California-based automotive web site, has selected two Hyundai models on its list of the top-15 recommended used cars since 2004. Hyundai, Ford, Honda and Toyota all had two models on the list, with the Hyundai Elantra selected as the best used sub-compact and the Hyundai Azera chosen as the best used large sedan. “With used car prices still soaring, it’s important for consumers to have expert guidance to get the best value,” said Scott Oldham, editor in chief of Edmunds.com. “By taking into consideration a range of factors from consumer ratings to NHTSA crash safety tests, to True Cost to Own metrics, these cars are the most attractive options in the used car

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Hyundai surpasses 500,000 yearly U.S. sales for first time

For the first since it debuted in the United States in 1986, Hyundai Motor Co. has sold 500,000 vehicles during a year in the United States. The South Korean automaker previous U.S. sales record was 467,009, in 2007, and, surpassed the half-million sales point in early December. It expects to sell 530,000 vehicles in the country by the end December. Hyundai sold about 160,000 Excel compacts in 1986 when it launched exports to the U.S. The following year, sales improved to more that 260,000. Quality issues prompted a sales decrease and Hyundai sold only cars 91,217 in 1998, its lowest sales year. Hyundai launched a concerted effort to improve its vehicles in 1999. It began offering a quality assurance program

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Consumer Reports Selects Most Overlooked Cars For 2008

But the Consumer Report list that impressed me recently is Consumer Reports list of Most Overlooked Cars. It’s a short list for 2008 — four vehicles. Tthe foursome includes a car and a manufacturer I’ve been touting for several years, Hyundai. Consumer Reports has a lot of nice things to says about Hyundai’s top-of-the-line sedan, the Azera. And it’s hard to disagree. Here’s the list of Consumer Reports’ most overlooked cars for 2008 and a brief comment on each vehicle: According the publication’s online site: “These models prove that a car doesn’t have to be a top seller or a top scorer to be a sensible choice and a good value. “All have performed well in our testing, and all

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Hyundai Azera, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

As the replacement for the XG350, Hyundai introduced the Azera earlier this year as the Korean manufacturer’s most luxurious and most expensive offering to date. Luxurious and expensive have never been synonymous with Hyundai. And with the Azera only luxurious applies. It’s a vehicle that may finally allow Hyundai to infringe on sales of the popular Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. Even with the name change alone, the high-end Hyundai has a chance. The now-gone XG350 had its upside, but its name seemed more conducive to a robot or a vacuum cleaner, rather than a car. Although it’s hardly a household word, at least Hyundai Azera has a catchy sound. The car’s name, in fact, is based on

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