Hyundai Azera: A Forgotten Luxury Sedan That’s a Smart Buy in 2025
When you think of Hyundai, luxury might not be the first thing that comes to mind. While the brand has significantly improved its reputation over the years, it’s still primarily recognized for its accessible and affordable vehicles.
But there was a time when Hyundai offered a car that provided a refined, premium driving experience with ample space and luxury features that unfortunately flew under the radar: the Hyundai Azera. This car, designed to compete with models like the Toyota Avalon and Buick LaCrosse, never achieved the same level of recognition. However, its impressive features and remarkably affordable used prices make it worth a second look.
This article takes a look at the Hyundai Azera, exploring its features, depreciation, and overall value in 2025.
Hyundai’s Forgotten Luxury Sedan
Before Hyundai launched the Genesis as a separate luxury brand, the Azera was the company’s first noteworthy effort to compete with premium sedans. Introduced in the U.S. in 2006, it replaced the XG350. While the early models were solid, the generation that is most interesting for our purposes is the second-generation Azera, which arrived in 2012.
This generation featured significant styling changes, including Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language, and was powered by a more robust version of the brand’s Lambda V6 engine. This engine delivered 293 horsepower to the front wheels while achieving a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg. The Azera was intended to bridge the gap between Hyundai’s mainstream and luxury offerings.
This means there’s a good supply of these great cars on the market right now, and its feature set makes it a worthwhile purchase.
A Premium Experience Without the Premium Price
While the Azera might not be considered a full-fledged luxury vehicle, it comfortably sits in the premium segment, offering features and performance that were notable for its time. One of its main strengths was its smooth and powerful V6 engine. As mentioned, the engine produced 293 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed transmission and front-wheel drive.
The Azera wasn’t the quickest car on the road, but it could reach 60 mph in the mid-6 second range, and it was comfortable at highway speeds with enough power for passing. Reviewers praised its effortless power and impressive fuel economy. The engine contributed to the car’s smooth feel, a core element of its comfortable, premium focus, which was also evident in its interior.
A leather interior came standard, along with a 10-way power driver’s seat, an eight-way front passenger seat with driver memory function, heated front and rear seats, Bluetooth audio, dual automatic climate control, second-row air vents, and even a cooled glove box. It also came with a 6-inch screen with navigation and a backup camera. The Azera had the best front legroom and headroom in its class, with later models adding blind-spot monitoring.
If you went with the Limited model, you got extras like larger wheels, a 14-speaker sound system, an electroluminescent gauge cluster with a color LCD trip computer, a larger screen, and power-folding side mirrors. There was even an optional Premium package that included window shades, a sunroof, different wheels, and parking sensors. The bottom line is that the Azera was a car that offered nearly everything most people need in today’s world.
Used Prices Will Be Shockingly Low In 2025
When the Azera was new, the base model started around $32,000, with the top-of-the-line Limited trim priced around $35,000. Both models received some price cuts midway through their production runs making them very attractive. However, if the Azera was a good deal when new, it’s an absolute steal today and used models can readily be found at the prices shown below.
- 2015: 78,849 mi – $10,977 – Bethlehem, PA (Cars.com)
- 2017: 70,776 mi – $10,995 – Mooresville, IN (Cars.com)
- 2013: 70,439 mi – $10,500 – Quakertown, PA (Cars.com)
- 2012: 63,827 mi – $10,944 – Sturtevant, WI (Cars.com)
- 2013: 61,482 mi – $11,990 – St. Island, NY (Cars.com)
- 2016: 65,956 mi – $16,998 – Jersey City, NJ (Cars.com)
- 2016: 59,033 mi – $13,724 – Mason, OH (TrurCar)
- 2012: 52,318 mi – $9,955 – Uniontown, PA (AutoByTel)
- 2014: 50,900 mi – $16,998 – Norwood, MA (TrueCar)
- 2014: 42,605 mi – $12,499 – West Chester, OH (Cars.com)
The Azera is cheap, really cheap. You can likely buy a car with fewer than 100,000 miles on the odometer for around $10,000, and even the best examples won’t cost you over $18,000. If you’re willing to consider higher mileage options, you can frequently find models for as little as $6,000. As always, be sure to do your routine maintenance checks.
For comparison, a used Toyota Avalon from the same era costs at least $5,000 more, and even a Hyundai Sonata or Honda Accord from the same years often sell for a comparable price. Many potential buyers simply don’t remember these cars, and that’s a factor that savvy buyers can use to their advantage.
Why The Azera Is A Smart Buy Today
While the Azera might not have the same name recognition or prestige as other vehicles in its class at the time, don’t let that deter you from considering this quality product, especially with its current price point. Here’s why the Azera remains a smart buy in 2025:
- Depreciation Makes it a Bargain: Originally priced in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, it can now be purchased for less than half that amount.
- Hyundai’s Reliable V6 Engines: The 3.3-liter engine is notably one of the best engines Hyundai ever offered.
- Lower Maintenance Costs Than Many Luxury Brands: Unlike German luxury sedans, the Azera avoids the high cost of repairs and parts.
- It Still Feels Premium: The interior, at the very least, looks amazing. The exterior design is obviously a question of personal preference, but its many luxury appointments make it a great buy.
- Underrated and Overlooked: While many drivers flock to Camrys and Accords, the Azera lets savvy buyers get more features at the same price.
It’s a refined sedan that readily accommodates whatever your lifestyle is, because it offers the extra room that makes both road trips and carrying extra passengers a breeze. Overall, in a time when used car prices have skyrocketed for many models, the Azera remains one of the few genuine bargains and should be at the very top of your shortlist if you are looking for a used sedan in 2025.
Sources: Hyundai, AutoWeek, AutoTempest
