What are they going to do with the Hyundai Azera?

[Poopsicle]

Does anyone know? Everyone is turning to either a fully loaded Sonata or a bare-bones V6 Genesis Sedan. Seems like no one wants the Azera.

I wonder what they are going to do with it? Anyone know if any news coming from the Azera category?

 

[ctrcbob]

2009 is the last year for the Azera.

 

[Poopsicle]

No replacement? Pity. They need to make something inbetween the Sonata and Genesis.

 

[jwaters943]

2009 is the last year for the Azera.

Source? People have been saying the Azera was to be killed off due to slow sales since 2007!

The Kia Optima replacement, dubbed the VG, will share it's platform w/ the next-gen Azera/Grandeur so at the very least the Azera will live on in other parts of the globe. I think they should keep it or at the very least offer a lower-level Genesis w/ the 3.3l V6 for around $30k. There is simply too much of a price gap between the Sonata and Genesis IMO. The Azera is a good competitor to the Avalon, Impala, Taurus, LaCrosse, etc. All it really needs is a more stylish interior/exterior and better marketing.

On a side note, has anyone driven a 2009 Azera? I'm curious about the shifting behavior of the new Hyundai-built 6-speed transmission. The old 5-speed was sometimes slow to downshift.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Could the Sonata being moving up-market? If so, than maybe the Azera IS gone. Otherwise, I think there's still a good market for inexpensive FWD luxury cars...

 

[YEH]

Rumors of the demise of the Azera have been floating around for the last couple of years.

The Azera will continue to live on due to (1) the Kia VG being built on the next-gen Azera platform and (2) the Azera still being a big seller in SKorea.

While it's quite possible that Hyundai will halt the sale of the Azera in the US, I don't see why they would since it doesn't cost them much to continue to offer it in the States (however, they may skip a year or so like what they did w/ the Tib until the replacement is available).

 

[MattG]

When I first saw this thread, I was thinking to myself that the Genesis line needs a smaller four door entry, so I was wondering if that might be in the future for the Azera. When I looked at the cars side by side, though, it seems that the Azera would not be a good fit there (they are too close in many ways, and too far in others). I'm not an expert on Hyundai platforms, but I do personally know people that would be interested in the Genesis Sedan, except that it is too big for them, and they don't want a coupe.

Bottom line, as Hyundai rounds out the Genesis offering, there should be a smaller sedan in the mix, and I am looking forward to seeing what they do in that area.

 

[dataguy]

Hasn't the Sonata (and in fact, all other mid-sized cars) gotten bigger over recent years? Is there really a need for something in the middle, size-wise?

I agree that the Genesis may be too big for some, but the Sonata isn't the mid-size that it once was.

Also, when I was looking at buying the Genesis, I looked at the Azera and Sonata and had real heartburn. The V6 Limited Sonata was something like $22-23K and the Azera was closer to $30K. At that price point, why wouldn't you go with the base Genesis?

 

[YEH]

When I first saw this thread, I was thinking to myself that the Genesis line needs a smaller four door entry, so I was wondering if that might be in the future for the Azera.

I'm not an expert on Hyundai platforms, but I do personally know people that would be interested in the Genesis Sedan, except that it is too big for them, and they don't want a coupe.

Bottom line, as Hyundai rounds out the Genesis offering, there should be a smaller sedan in the mix, and I am looking forward to seeing what they do in that area.

Actually, the long-rumored Genesis BMW 3 Series "fighter" is going to be the new Kia Amanti (built on a shortened Genesis platform).

While I don't necessarily agree w/ this move/strategy, if it looks anything like the larger Kia VG sedan, I'm not really going to complain.

Also, when I was looking at buying the Genesis, I looked at the Azera and Sonata and had real heartburn. The V6 Limited Sonata was something like $22-23K and the Azera was closer to $30K. At that price point, why wouldn't you go with the base Genesis?

Some people prefer FWD and a soft, floaty ride.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

If the Amanti information is accurate, than Kia is REALLY going into performance mode.. I never thought I'd see an Amanti going head to head with a 335i. That's something I'll have to see to believe.. In any event, it's VERY true that there is and always will be a large market for FWD soft, floaty vehicles...

Actually, the long-rumored Genesis BMW 3 Series "fighter" is going to be the new Kia Amanti (built on a shortened Genesis platform).

While I don't necessarily agree w/ this move/strategy, if it looks anything like the larger Kia VG sedan, I'm not really going to complain.



Some people prefer FWD and a soft, floaty ride.

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