Fast Take: 2013 Hyundai Azera Is All About Style, Inside And Out

2013 Hyundai Azera

The 2013 Hyundai Azera is a good-looking car, inside and out, with a high-end aesthetic that does not match its much more conservative price tag. It was my first thought as I slid behind the wheel, and it was confirmed at the McDonald’s drive-thru a few minutes later.

I know, the life of an automotive journalist is pure excitement, but I was thirsty, it was pouring rain, and those golden arches beckoned in the night. As I drove up to the window, the guy waiting to take my money said, “Wow! That is a good-looking car. What is that?”

It’s not every car that elicits praise at the drive-thru, especially not on a dark and rainy night but this guy was impressed. He liked the look of it as I drove up and his eyes sort of bugged out of his head when he leaned out the tiny little window to get a better look at the interior.

The 2013 Hyundai Azera has some serious style.

Outside, it’s all sculpted lines that flow from front to back and set your eye travelling down the length of the car. A contoured hood with low, rounded airdams lend it a sense of power in a refined way that says elegance not muscle.

The interior continues the theme with a cockpit-like wraparound dashboard that’s still pushed out enough to make it roomy even for larger occupants. Passenger and driver surfaces are all soft to the touch and muted with matte finishes rather than glaring high-gloss.

It also stands up to luxury cars in the tech department with an available Technology Package that includes features like HID headlamps, 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a rear sunshade with manual rear side sunshades, and ventilated front seats. The Technology also kicks up the sound with a 550-watt Infinity premium Logic 7 sound system with subwoofer.

Equipped with a 3.3-litre V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2013 Hyundai Azera has 293 horsepower. It’s powerful but not aggressive, ever mindful of its luxury trappings. You’ll find acceleration is smooth and controlled at all times.

The 2013 Hyundai Azera offers great value starting at just $32,250 with the styling and performance of a much pricier luxury car.

Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.