Hyundai Azera

Hyundai Azera: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Hyundai Azera in this catalogue spans four generations of Sedan models produced from 2005 through 2020. Choosing among them is primarily a choice between the first generation’s larger V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, the second generation’s broader 2.4 AT and 3.0 AT range, and the third generation’s lighter, more economical, and—in some versions—8-speed alternatives.

The Hyundai Azera in this catalogue spans four generations of Sedan models produced from 2005 through 2020. Choosing among them is primarily a choice between the first generation’s larger V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, the second generation’s broader 2.4 AT and 3.0 AT range, and the third generation’s lighter, more economical, and—in some versions—8-speed alternatives. The strongest listed Azera is the third-generation 3.5 AT with 290 hp, while the quickest is the first-generation 3.8 AT, which reaches 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. For lower measured combined consumption, the third-generation 2.4 AT leads at 8.3 l/100 km.

Hyundai Azera generations: what changed?

The first-generation Hyundai Azera, produced from 2005 through 2011, is a Sedan with two versions: 3.3 AT and 3.8 AT. Both use naturally aspirated, front-mounted transverse V-shaped 6-cylinder Gasoline engines and FWD. The 3.3 AT pairs 237 hp with a 6-speed Automatic, whereas the 3.8 AT has 266 hp and a 5-speed Automatic. This generation is the one to compare first if engine size and acceleration matter more than measured fuel economy.

The second-generation Azera ran from 2011 through 2014 as a Sedan with four versions. Its 2014–2016 restyling also contains four versions and belongs within the same generation. Both periods list two distinct 2.4 AT specifications—180 hp and 201 hp—and two distinct 3.0 AT specifications—250 hp and 270 hp. Every version uses FWD and a 6-speed Automatic. Compared with the first generation, this range introduces smaller Inline 4-cylinder engines and offers direct injection on the higher-output 2.4 AT and 3.0 AT specifications.

The third-generation Hyundai Azera, produced from 2016 through 2020, is a Sedan with four versions: 2.4 AT with 190 hp, 3.0 AT with 250 hp, 3.0 AT with 261 hp, and 3.5 AT with 290 hp. All remain naturally aspirated, front-engined, transverse, and FWD. The 190 hp and 250 hp versions use a 6-speed Automatic; the 261 hp 3.0 AT and 290 hp 3.5 AT use an 8-speed Automatic. Compared with the second-generation specifications, it therefore offers both lighter listed kerb weights and a wider choice of transmission configurations.

Hyundai Azera engine specs and horsepower

The strongest output per litre is delivered by the second-generation 3.0 AT with 270 hp: its 2999 cc engine produces approximately 90.0 hp per litre. The second-generation 2.4 AT with 201 hp follows at approximately 85.2 hp per litre. In the third generation, the 3.0 AT with 261 hp produces approximately 87.0 hp per litre, while the 3.5 AT produces approximately 83.6 hp per litre. The first-generation 3.8 AT makes approximately 70.4 hp per litre, but counters with the greatest listed displacement, 3778 cc, and 345 Nm—the highest torque figure in the catalogue.

Hyundai Azera performance and fuel economy

For economy based on complete measurements, the third-generation 2.4 AT is the clear choice. Its 8.3 l/100 km combined figure is 1.0 l/100 km below the second-generation 2.4 AT with 180 hp and 6.0 l/100 km below the first-generation 3.3 AT. It is also 0.1 second quicker to 100 km/h than the second-generation 180 hp 2.4 AT.

Within the third generation, the 261 hp 3.0 AT provides a useful performance-and-economy middle ground. Compared with the 250 hp 3.0 AT, it adds 11 hp and 20 Nm, reaches 100 km/h 0.5 second sooner, raises top speed by 8 km/h, and reduces measured combined consumption by 0.4 l/100 km. It also changes from a 6-speed Automatic with distributed injection to an 8-speed Automatic with direct injection.

The third-generation 3.5 AT adds 29 hp and 34 Nm over the 261 hp 3.0 AT, but improves the 0–100 km/h time by only 0.5 second and has the same 230 km/h top speed. Its combined consumption is 1.6 l/100 km higher. The extra output therefore comes with a clear economy trade-off.

Hyundai Azera dimensions, weight and size

Overall length and other exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are recorded selectively and should be compared without filling those gaps with estimates.

Weight per horsepower reinforces the performance differences. The second-generation 180 hp 2.4 AT carries approximately 9.23 kg per hp, compared with approximately 8.27 kg per hp for the 201 hp version. Its 250 hp 3.0 AT is at approximately 6.65 kg per hp, and the 270 hp version improves that to approximately 6.16 kg per hp.

The third-generation 2.4 AT records approximately 8.19 kg per hp. The 250 hp and 261 hp 3.0 AT versions record approximately 6.49 and 6.21 kg per hp respectively, while the 3.5 AT leads that generation at approximately 5.57 kg per hp. The first-generation 3.8 AT remains slightly stronger by this measure at approximately 6.22 kg per hp than the first-generation 3.3 AT at approximately 7.09 kg per hp.

Which Hyundai Azera version should you buy?

Choose the third-generation 2.4 AT if measured fuel consumption is the priority. It combines the catalogue’s lowest complete consumption set—11.5 l/100 km city, 6.5 l/100 km highway, and 8.3 l/100 km combined—with the lowest listed kerb weight of 1556 kg. Its 190 hp and 9.7-second acceleration are modest relative to the V-shaped 6-cylinder alternatives, but its numbers make its purpose unambiguous.

Choose the third-generation 3.0 AT with 261 hp for the most balanced set of measured figures. It has 304 Nm, an 8-speed Automatic, a 7.9-second 0–100 km/h time, a 230 km/h top speed, and 9.1 l/100 km combined consumption. Against the third-generation 250 hp 3.0 AT, it is both quicker and more economical in the supplied measurements.

Choose the third-generation 3.5 AT when maximum third-generation output matters most. It provides 290 hp and 338 Nm, the best third-generation weight-to-power result, and 7.4-second acceleration. The trade-off is 10.7 l/100 km combined consumption, which is higher than either third-generation 3.0 AT.

Choose the second-generation 3.0 AT with 270 hp when acceleration and output per litre outweigh the absence of complete economy and top-speed measurements. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds—1.6 seconds sooner than the 250 hp 3.0 AT—and adds 20 hp and 26 Nm without increasing its 2999 cc displacement or 1662 kg kerb weight. The same specification appears in both the 2011–2014 model and the 2014–2016 restyling.

Choose the first-generation 3.8 AT for the fastest measured acceleration and highest listed top speed. Its 266 hp, 345 Nm, and 1655 kg kerb weight produce a 6.5-second 0–100 km/h result and a 235 km/h top speed. Fuel consumption is not measured, however. The first-generation 3.3 AT has complete economy figures, but its 14.3 l/100 km combined consumption is the highest measured combined figure here.

Reliability, engine problems, recalls, engine-oil specifications, and cars or engines for sale cannot be compared from these data because those facts are not measured. On specifications alone, the third-generation 2.4 AT is the economy choice, the third-generation 3.0 AT with 261 hp is the measured all-round choice, the third-generation 3.5 AT is the highest-output choice, and the first-generation 3.8 AT is the acceleration choice.