}} The
Grandeur TG is a
mid-size sedan introduced for the 2006 model year. A redesigned XG350, it shares a platform with the
Sonata. It is sold as the
Hyundai Azera in
North America,
China,
France,
Taiwan,
Philippines,
Iran,
Malaysia, The
GCC (
Persian Gulf states),
South Africa, Singapore,
Peru,
Chile and
Brazil. In Europe (except in France), Australia, New Zealand and Japan it was sold as the Grandeur. A few (approx 27) 3.3l Grandeurs were imported into the UK in around 2008/9 for use by Hyundai UK executives. These then later entered the used car market. In
Belgium, it was launched as the Grandeur, and renamed Azera in 2006. The Grandeur/Azera had been the most expensive Hyundai model outside of Korea, China, and the Middle East—until the 2008 introduction of the
Genesis. The Azera has a four-wheel
independent suspension (
multi-link in the rear) and uses the company's new 3.8 L
Lambda V6, which produces . The power is sent to the front wheels through a five or six-speed
automatic transmission with a "Shiftronic" manual gear selection. Hyundai claims 6.0 s to accelerate to and a top speed of .
Fuel economy of in the city and on the highway is expected. The 2.2 VGT CRDI
diesel engine from the
Santa Fe is also available, with the addition of the 2.4 Theta and 2.7 Mu petrol engines in South Korea. The Limited trim level adds 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, leather seat-upholstery, and a power sun shade in the rear window. The Ultimate Package includes an enhanced audio system with 10
Infinity speakers and a 6-disc
CD changer, a power
sunroof, powered tilt-telescopic steering wheel, and rain-sensing
windshield wipers. The 2007 model featured a revised gauge pattern and steering wheel controls. The 2008 model introduced the optional LG Navigation system. It was the first automobile to provide a dual display monitor. The SE models are removed in favor of a GLS model that shares the same 17-inch wheels as the Limited models, and the Aubergine colour is no longer available. A wood-trimmed steering wheel is now only available with the Ultimate Package. The 2009 model featured revised grille, 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, blue back lit gauges and dashboard lighting (vs. the previous green), dark brown wood grain accents and available hands free
Bluetooth phone capability. The audio player display takes the same design as the 2009
Hyundai Sonata, and the controls for the audio player have been redesigned. An auxiliary input jack and
iPod integration system became standard, though these were deleted with the navigation system on the Limited trim level. The Limited trim level received a wood-trimmed steering wheel and "hyper-silver" alloy wheels. The Korean
Grandeur offers features not available in North American version, including as
Proximity Key with Push Button Start and
Bluetooth hands-free capability. A refreshed 2010 model was released on 16 December 2009 that incorporated new 7 split-spoke alloy wheels,
LED taillights, rectangular exhaust pipe designs, new side mirrors, redesigned headlights, and new front fascia and grille. New interior amenities include Alcantara leather seats and rear passenger audio and climate controls. For the 2010 model year the Hyundai Azera was dropped in Canada due to slow sales. For model year 2011, Hyundai restyled the Azera with new front and rear fascias, new alloy wheels, and new fog lamps. The engines were updated with dual variable valve timing and the transmission received one more forward speed for a total of six. The 3.3L V6 was now rated at 260 hp, while the 3.8L V6 now made 283 hp. The fuel economy was also improved with 20/28 for 3.3 and 19/27 for 3.8 (EPA rating pending). In November 2010, Hyundai sued Avera Motors, a start-up automaker based in
Rockledge, Florida, over the use of the name "Avera," claiming it was too close to the Azera name.
Safety The Azera comes standard with front airbags for driver and passenger, front and rear head curtain airbags and front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags. According to the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the Azera received a
Good overall score in the frontal crash test and an
Acceptable overall score in the side impact test. The driver's pelvis/leg in the side impact category was given a
Poor score and the structure/safety category rated
Marginal.
NHTSA Azera Frontal Driver: Frontal Passenger: Side Driver: Side Rear Passenger (earlier models): Side Rear Passenger (later models): Rollover:
Awards • 2006
Canadian Car of the Year awards: named "Best New Family Car (over
CAN$35,000)" • Strategic Vision, 2007, named the "Winner Strategic Vision's 2007 Total Quality Index (TQI) for the large car segment" • Kiplinger's Personal Finance "Best in Class" in the $25,000 to $30,000 category, 2007 Azera: • Kiplinger's Personal Finance 2007 Car Buyer's "Best of 2007 Cars" March 2007. • Edmunds.com Editors Most Wanted – 2007 • Edmunds.com Editor's Most Wanted Sedan Under $30,000 • ''Consumer's Digest'', 2007, named "A Consumer's Digest Best Buy" • J.D. Power and Associates – 2006: named "Most Appealing Large Car" •
IIHS, 2006, earned an overall "good" rating in the crash test, frontal offset impacts. • AutoPacific, 2006, named "Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction, Large Luxury Car • Strategic Vision, 2006, named the "Winner Strategic Vision's 2006 Total Value Award for Best Large Car Ownership Experience" == Fifth generation (HG; 2011) ==