10/10/2016, Superior Township, MI
The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Segment Winner Continues to Bring Elegance to the Masses
SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich., Oct. 10, 2016 – The Azera enters the 2017 model year with an IQS segment win under its belt. J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study found the 2016 Azera the highest in initial quality of any in the large car segment. The craftsmanship and precision that brought top honors to the 2016 model carries on to 2017, along with a new color palette.
REFINED POWERTRAIN
A 3.3-liter, direct-injected V6 engine pumps like a healthy, athletic heart in the Azera. The engine uses a high-pressure direct-injection system, spraying fuel at more than 2200 psi, and a compression ratio of 11.5:1. Constructed from aluminum, the power-plant has four valves-per-cylinder, piston cooling jets, a roller timing chain, Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), and a variable length intake manifold. This marriage of advanced technology allows horsepower to peak at an impressive 293 at 6,400 rpm and 255 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm, yet maintain a broad power curve for strong mid-range grunt. Despite lofty outputs, fuel is sipped not gulped as the Azera achieves 20 city, 28 highway, 23 combined miles-per-gallon (19/28/22 for Limited model).
The engine mates with a Hyundai developed six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. This smooth shifting box uses gear ratios ideally suited to manage engine torque delivery characteristics for both swift acceleration and miserly fuel consumption. The Azera powertrain also has an Active Eco mode, which modifies engine and transmission control for improved real world fuel economy.
DEFT DYNAMICS
A fully independent suspension keeps the Azera on track. MacPherson struts, coil springs, and a 24mm front stabilizer-bar place the front wheels, multi-links do the job in back. Advanced Sachs shock absorbers maintain precise control of the wheels. Called Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD), even the smallest damper motions are kept under control.
SAVVY SAFETY
Hyundai stuffed the Azera to the gills with advanced safety equipment. It starts with a long list of standard features, like Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), and nine airbags: two front airbags, a knee bag on the driver side, as well as driver and passenger side, rear side, and curtain airbags, protecting both front and rear passengers. Further augmenting safety, available Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Automatic High Beam Assist.
INFORMING and ENTERTAINING
An eight-inch touch-screen navigation system with integrated backup camera is standard, as is a 14-speaker, 550-watt Infinity Logic 7® Surround Sound premium audio system. This system also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Users may choose between using the touchscreen and controlling several functions with voice-activation. The system includes 8GB of flash memory and can play compact discs and digital music files either from Bluetooth streaming audio or devices connected to the iPod/USB/auxiliary inputs. This advanced head unit also supports Pandora®.
COLOR PALETTE
The Azera comes in several vivid and vibrant colors:
- Eclipse Black → Nocturne Black (late availability)
- Diamond White Pearl → Hyper White (late availability)
- Starlight Silver → Ion Silver (late availability)
- Pewter Gray Metallic
- Venetian Red Pearl
- Moroccan Pearl