Hyundai was the fastest-growing carmaker in modern history and its flagship model, the Sonata, gained high scores in satisfaction surveys.
The Korean carmaker introduced the Azera/Grandeur lineup on the market in 2006 as an upper version of the Sonata. Even though both vehicles were built on the same platform, the Azera received more luxurious items and was treated with more attention to detail by Hyundai.

Hyundai’s design department burned the midnight oil to make the car looks like a premium vehicle, with sleek lines and a sloped rear window. At the front, the chromed details around the grille and the rectangular headlights featured a timeless design. Its long red strip over the trunk lid and wide taillights offered a European-inspired look that attracted more customers in the back.

Inside, Hyundai offered the Azera a luxurious-looking interior, but it lacked in the technology department. It offered a simple audio system, and there was no navigation unit on the options list. But that didn’t stop its buyers from getting their hands on the Azera since it offered more than enough room for five adult passengers.

Under the hood, Hyundai installed a choice of two gasoline and one turbo-diesel engine, depending on the market. In Europe, it offered the car with a five-speed manual, and an option for a five-speed automatic, while in the U.S., it included the latter as a standard feature.