Acceleration
"Refined V6 furnishes snappy takeoffs, works with silky, responsive automatic transmission for quick passing sprints. Manual shift gate useful for hill-and-dale driving."

Value
"Azera delivers an eye-opening array of standard safety features while offering impressive room, refinement, ride comfort, luxury features, and build quality. It stacks up well against target rivals Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Buick LaCrosse, and Ford Five Hundred, especially as Hyundai says it will cost less comparably equipped."

Ride
"Limited model with its 17-inch tires mirrors Best Buy Toyota Avalon with plush feel, fine small-bump absorption. More float than Avalon over high-speed moguls. No opportunity yet to test SE model, which has 16-inch tires."

Economy
No opportunity to measure. Hyundai recommends premium-grade fuel.

Noise
"Coarse-surface tire thrum noticed, but never annoying. Wind rush rises with speed, but doesn't intrude much either. V6 emits classy growl at full throttle, is otherwise hushed."

Comfort - Front
"Plentiful leg room. Head room ample despite relatively high-set seats, which combine with lowish dashtop and large windows for fine all-around visibility. Driving position easily tailored with standard power seat, tilt/telescope steering wheel, Limited's optional power-adjustable pedals. Seats nicely contoured for good overall support."

Comfort - Rear
"Adult-worthy leg and head room, plus good foot space. Legs aren't crowded with front seats pushed well back, but cabin width may slightly squeeze three grown-ups. No-sweat entry/exit."

Controls
"Logical, stylish dashboard puts large, clearly marked gauges and switchgear within easy view and reach. Steering wheel masks dashboard ignition switch, but includes buttons for audio and climate systems. Attractive cabin materials not quite Lexus level, but belie Azera's price. Some buyers may miss optional navigation system, but Hyundai says it will offer one in the future."

Cargo Room
"Trunk volume unexceptional but usable, easily accessed, expandable via standard fold-down rear seatbacks. Covered sickle-shaped trunklid hinges sit well outboard, steal little cargo space. Good cabin storage, with large bi-level console bin and front-seatback pockets offsetting tiny door map pockets."