This is the largest and most expensive Hyundai sedan money can buy, and its equipment is equally impressive

by Thanos Pappas

1 hour ago

by Thanos Pappas

The seventh generation of the Grandeur, which is the domestic name of the Azera that was sold in North America up until 2016, was introduced in October 2022 as the flagship sedan of Hyundai. It is currently available in certain markets, including Korea.

Now, several months after its introduction, Hyundai is highlighting several aspects of the sedan in a series of videos that showcase the technology, safety, comfort, and luxurious features of the new model, which boasts impressive levels of luxury and refinement, rivaling even those of the Genesis brand.

The generous equipment of the Hyundai Grandeur includes some features that we were used to seeing only in premium sedans like the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-Series. One of those is the Remote Smart Parking Assist which allows the vehicle to enter and exit parking spaces by itself, without the need for the driver to be inside. As suggested by its name, the system can be remotely operated through the key, moving the model back and forth in tight spaces.

Read: 2024 Hyundai Sonata Revealed With A Bold Design That’s More Than Just A Simple Facelift

The exterior design of the new Grandeur is characterized by the futuristic full-width LED bars on both the front and the rear, an element that is widely used in Hyundai’s model range. The front light bar integrates the turn signals and the DRLs, while the actual headlight beams are mounted lower on the front bumper. Hyundai utilizes the entirety of the car’s exterior lighting for the “Dynamic Welcome Light” function.

The experience continues inside the cabin with the multi-color ambient lighting which is linked with the digital cockpit and several of the vehicle’s functions. The driver’s seat offers massage functions on the pelvis and back area, while the rear seat can recline for more comfortable trips.

Other luxurious features include the panoramic sunroof and the flush door handles. Those extend automatically when the driver and passengers approach the vehicle, although if this is not your thing you always can opt for a manual operation through the infotainment settings. The Grandeur is also compatible with a digital key, meaning that you can use your smartphone to enter and start the car in case you forget the actual key. All you need to do is to use your phone’s NFC sensor to unlock the vehicle and place it on the wireless charging pad in order to start the engine.

The Grandeur slots above the recently updated Sonata, Elantra, and Accent/Verna sedans in the Hyundai range. Measuring 5,035 mm (198.2 inches) long, the model is slightly larger than the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes E-Class, and has a very similar footprint to the mechanically-related Kia K8 / Cadenza. In Korea, the Hyundai Grandeur is available with a hybrid turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and a 3.5-liter V6 in petrol and LPG flavors which produces as much as 295 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) in the most powerful trim.

Unfortunately, the Hyundai Grandeur / Azera won’t reach US shores, as the automaker doesn’t want it to cannibalize sales of the Genesis lineup. Still, if you live in South Korea, you can already order the Hyundai which is neatly priced between ₩37,850,000 ($29,175) and ₩52,640,000 ($40,576) depending on the trim and powertrain options.