2009 Hyundai Azera

Before building a genuine luxury car in the Genesis, Hyundai tried marketing the Azera as a luxury sedan. Many reviewers evaluated it on those terms, and found it comfortable -- a real testament to the interior quality of the car when measured against the affordable large car class.

• "Opulent inside, fitted with easy-to-understand controls and a handsome wood-or metal-trimmed dash that sweeps back neatly into the door panels."-- Road and Track
• "Attractive cabin materials are not quite to Lexus level, but there are enough padded surfaces and carefully executed details present to belie Azera's price." -- Consumer Guide
• "Hyundai infuses the Azera's cabin with plenty of luxury and features. With convincing faux wood and metallic piping, materials quality is very good, and those who opt for the Limited will find themselves swaddled in soft double-stitched leather seats." -- Edmunds

Seating

The Azera's cabin is large and spacious, and the seats are comfortable on long drives. One complaint, however, seems to appear in many reviews -- the car doesn't offer sufficient headroom for taller drivers.

• "The driving position is easily tailored with a standard power seat, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and Limited's optional power-adjustable pedals. The seats are nicely contoured for good overall support." -- Consumer Guide
• "Plush leather seating surfaces and just the right aesthetic touches of wood trim" -- Kelley Blue Book
• Leather upholstery includes "not-quite-terry-cloth-but-definitely-not-Alcantara seats." -- Car and Driver
• "Over the course of Edmunds.com's yearlong test of the Azera, the driver seat's light beige leather proved inordinately susceptible to wear and discoloration. Attempts to clean the leather were unsuccessful, so we'd suggest sticking with the black or new brown interior color options." -- Edmunds

Interior Features

The Azera's interior features simple-to-use and elegantly-styled instruments and technologies. A few upscale touches include a power rear sunshade. Limited models also get a premium Infiniti Logic7 surround sound audio system. A few of the materials are below the class standard for quality, however.

• The dashboard "sweeps gracefully across the car, with intuitive proportions gauges. -- New Car Test Drive
• "Logical and stylish dashboard puts large, clearly marked gauges and controls within easy view and reach. The steering wheel masks the dashboard-mounted ignition switch, but it includes buttons for audio and climate systems." -- Consumer Guide
• "Elegant and ergonomically sensible, a nice mixture of luxury and practicality highlighted by faux-wood accents and satin-finish metal pieces. The car has high eye appeal." -- Washington Post
• "Comes with a boatload of standard equipment." -- Forbes
• The power rear sunshade "demonstrates Azera's attempt at luxury status. It is a luxury we've previously seen only in cars approaching the $100,000 mark." -- CNET

Cargo

The Azera offers ample storage space, with 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks and a large trunk with a fully finished inside, enclosed gooseneck hinges and a hydraulic lift lid. 

• Trunk is "spacious, with a wide opening," -- MSN
• "The trunk is equally expansive, with 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space and a gigantic opening." -- Edmunds