Nuts and Bolts

At the heart of the 3,629-lb. Azera is an aluminum, dual overhead cam, 24-valve, 3.8-liter V6. This engine features continuously variable valve timing, a horsepower rating of 263 that peaks at 6,000 rpm, and 255 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. According to the EPA, the Azera should achieve 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Azera’s front wheels are driven by a five-speed automatic transmission that offers a Shiftronic manual shifting feature to make the driving experience a bit more engaging, while front ventilated discs and rear solid discs address the issue of braking.

Stretch and lengthen a Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan, and you’ve got the foundation for the new 2006 Hyundai Azera. Like the Sonata, the 2006 Hyundai Azera is suspended up front by double wishbones with coil springs, with a multi-link independent setup out back. – Both ends of the Azera get stabilizer bars. Connecting it all to the road are 225/60R16 tires on the SE, with the Limited getting larger 235/55R17 rubber. Steering is courtesy of an engine rpm-sensitive rack-and-pinion system.