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A throwback in Hyundai's increasingly modern fleet
- Budget price
- Roomy, comfortable interior
- Good acceleration
- Good visibility
- Feature-laden
- Long warranty
- Newer models offer a lot more style
- Lower crash-test scores than rivals
- Lackluster fuel economy
- Fast depreciation
Experts applaud the 2011 Hyundai Azera's quality and value, but they still pass it over in favor of more stylish full-size family sedans like the top-rated 2011 Buick LaCrosse (Base MSRP: $27,130 to $33,205). The Azera gets a few changes for 2011, including freshened styling, a new six-speed automatic transmission and engines tweaked for more efficiency and power, but the basic car remains the same. For more information, see our page on the 2009 Hyundai Azera (*Est. $24,970 to $28,920).
Fuel economy okay, but not great
Fuel economy for the Azera's base 3.3-liter V6 engine stands at an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. An optional 3.8-liter V6 drops fuel economy by 1 mpg all around.
Safety rundown
The 2011 Hyundai Azera had not yet been fully crash-tested by the federal government when we checked, although it does post a 4-star (out of 5) rollover resistance rating. In crash tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2011 Azera earns the highest rating of "good" for frontal crash protection, with "acceptable" ratings for side and rear crash protection. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control as well as front airbags and side and curtain airbags for both the front and rear.
The 2011 Hyundai Azera comes in two trim levels: the Azera GLS (Base MSRP $25,495) with the 3.3-liter V6 engine, and the Azera Limited (Base MSRP $30,095) with the 3.8-liter V6.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com – like most other top sources – leaves the 2011 Hyundai Azera off its "recommended" list. Still, editors are perennially impressed with the Azera's quality and value. They list the Azera's changes for 2011, including the new transmission.
Review: 2011 Hyundai Azera, Editors of Edmunds.com
2. SaferCar.gov
The 2011 Hyundai Azera had not yet been fully tested under the federal government's new, stricter crash ratings when we checked. The only rating available is the Azera's 4-star (out of 5) rollover resistance score.
Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
3. IIHS.org
The 2011 Hyundai Azera earns the highest rating of "good" in frontal crash tests here, but its rating falls to "acceptable" for side and rear crash protection. The Azera's rollover roof strength has not been tested.
Review: Hyundai Azera, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
This government website lists official fuel economy ratings for most cars. The 2011 Hyundai Azera delivers 22 or 23 mpg overall, depending on which engine you select.
Review: 2011 Hyundai Azera, U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency
The Hyundai Azera has seen very few changes in the past couple of years. Our full report on the 2009 model links to a variety of relevant expert reviews of this car.
Review: 2009 Hyundai Azera, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, April 2009
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