2017 Hyundai Azera Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2017?
There are no new changes to report. Everything from the 2016 Hyundai Azera has been carried over into the 2017 Hyundai Azera.
Top Ten Reasons to Buy a 2017 Hyundai Azera - The Pros
1. The Well-equipped Base Trim
The 2017 Hyundai Azera comes with a decked-out base trim, which comes standard with a 3.3-L V6 engine, heated mirrors, blindspot monitoring, leather upholstery, dual zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, and a hands-free opening trunk, just to name a few features. Many of these features are not standard on other vehicles' base trims and have to be bought as options.
2. Affordable Pricing
Compared to the price of some of its competitors, the 2017 Hyundai Azera is affordably priced, making it a great option for anyone on a budget. With the Azera, you get more for your money, even on the base trim. There actually is not much of a need to spend more on an upgrade to a Limited trim.
3. A Solid Standard Powertrain
The standard V6 engine performs particularly well, getting 293 hp and 255 pounds-feet of torque. While the 6-speed transmission does not make this the zippiest car around, it gives the Azera some smooth transitions. The Azera's drive feels controlled and authoritative with the power it gets from the V6.
4. Good Acceleration
In addition to its effortless transitions and a good amount of horsepower, the Azera can get from 0 to 60 in about 6.8 seconds. This is about average for a full-size sedan, but it does so much more fluidly than some of its competitors.
5. It's a Quiet Ride
For the most part, the Azera gives a quiet and relaxed ride. You will not hear much engine noise until you really push it on the highway, and road and wind noise are not too overwhelming despite a need for slightly better insulation throughout the cabin.
6. Upscale Interior Design
How many cars have leather upholstery in their base trims? Not many, but the Azera does. The entire interior seems upscale, minus some poor stitching on the leather steering wheel. Controls are all well-arranged and seem intuitive. There is nothing that appears to be very distracting for most drivers.
7. Easy to Get In and Out
The moderately bolstered seats and wipe-opening doors make it easy for most people to get in and out of the vehicle. The roof doesn't have a slope that would cause anyone to hit their head getting in or out of the Azera.
8. Spaciousness
There is plenty of leg room and shoulder room throughout the cabin, and if you do not get the panoramic sunroof, there is also sufficient head room. Back seat headroom can feel a bit cramped though.
9. Sufficient Cargo Space
There is a class-average 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space available. The gooseneck hinges located in the trunk are tucked away so that they will not snag on anything you put into the trunk.
10. A Decent Infotainment System
The infotainment system is surprisingly decent. Hyundai's Blue Link connection is easy to use and, despite having some lag issues, is not as glitchy as some connection apps in other vehicles. The Azera also has Bluetooth connectivity and an impressive 14-speaker Infinity audio system that comes with a satellite radio.
Reasons you may not want to buy a 2017 Hyundai Azera - The Cons
1. Jumpy Throttle Calibration
When the vehicle goes from being at a standstill to moving (like in stop-and-go traffic jams), the throttle calibration seems a little shaky. This can make in-town driving somewhat irritating during rush hour or construction back-up.
2. Uncomfortable Seat Positions
Although the front driver's seat is 12-way power adjustable, it is incredibly difficult for many drivers to find a comfortable position. The front headrests provide an additional level of discomfort for some drivers since they project forward. Larger individuals might struggle with finding a comfortable position the most.
3. Limited Visibility
The tall deck, high cowl, and massive rear roof pillars reduce panoramic visibility, so drivers will have to rely more on their blind spot monitoring system and rearview camera than their own line of vision for rear panoramic visibility.
4. No AWD Availability
The biggest drawback to the 2017 Hyundai Azera is that there is no all-wheel drive availability. It is generally at least optional on some trims from other auto manufacturers, so it is a little surprising that Hyundai has not made it available on the Azera, especially since AWD availability is a major factor in deciding which vehicle to buy.
How it stacks up to the competition:
2017 Hyundai Azera vs. 2017 Buick LaCrosse
The 2017 Buick LaCrosse offers up a relaxed and comfortable ride on any road surface, and it gets a very generous fuel economy on its powerful V6 engine. However, like the Azera, it is difficult to find a comfortable seat position for the driver's seat. Also, the engine stop-start function cannot be turned off, and lane keeping assist will pull the car between lane markers. You'll also be paying a lot more for the higher-end trims.
2017 Hyundai Azera vs. 2017 Toyota Avalon
The 2017 Toyota Avalon provides a smooth and quiet ride that slightly edges out the Azera, and the Avalon also has a more spacious trunk. It also gets above-average fuel economy for its class. On the flip side, like the Azera, the Avalon does not have AWD available on any trim. Also, it gives a ride that might feel too firm for some drivers.
Conclusion
Overall, despite a few setbacks (especially the lack of AWD availability on any trim), the 2017 Hyundai Azera has a lot going for it. Even if you stick with buying the base trim, you will get a lot for your money. The interior really looks classy in spite of some plastic materials and stitching issues, and the car will certainly get you fluidly up to speed on the highway. It competes pretty well with many top contenders in its class and is proving to be a fun full-size sedan to drive.
