The luxury class segment is highly competitive worldwide and it is difficult to get past the big three German models Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. Mercedes recently presented its new E-Class of the W214 generation and in May the cloth will also be pulled from the next generation BMW 5 Series / i5. Both are also offered with a long wheelbase in China. A model like the new Hyundai Grandeur slips into the second row even in its home country of Korea, because the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series are more popular than ever in the Asian state.
The new Grandeur / Azera wants to draw attention to itself with a design exclamation mark. The new front styling is already familiar from new models such as the Sonata, Kona and Staria. The 5.04 meter premium model also offers a continuous LED light strip and LED main headlights positioned far down. It’s no different at the rear, because here too there is an LED strip that draws everyone’s attention and almost lets you overlook how softly the C/D pillar, which has an additional window, runs out to the rear. If the driver approaches the vehicle, the door handles extend automatically. You can save yourself the car key – the smartphone in your pocket is enough to open and close the four-door car.
The interior is just as puristic as the outside. As with the other most recent new releases from Hyundai, puristic forms and a focus on the essentials dominate here. The driver looks at three large screens. The vehicle displays are shown behind the massive steering wheel, while the central screen next to it controls functions such as navigation, comfort modules and the sound system. Under the continuous ventilation there are direct buttons for quick menu access and, based on the Audi A8, a second touchscreen underneath for the air conditioning. The comfort and safety features of the Grandeur have been significantly improved. There is not only air-conditioned seating in the front and rear, but also a massage function and a special reclining position in the front. At the push of a button, the occupants have an almost unobstructed view of the sky through the standard panoramic roof and can shade the rear side windows electrically.
The Hyundai Grandeur drive surprises not only in view of the powerful competitive environment. The basic variant is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo, which, like the other models from the Hyundai Group, has an output of 169 kW / 230 hp / 350 Nm. Above that is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine (146 kW / 198 hp) and a much more befitting 3.5-litre six-cylinder with 221 kW / 300 hp / 366 Nm. A 240 hp gas-powered version is offered for certain markets, also powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre six-cylinder. A plug-in variant is likely to follow; an electric version is not planned for the time being. This also applies to the market launch in Europe or the USA, where Hyundai primarily wants to focus on smaller models and especially SUVs. Depending on the engine variant, six or eight-speed automatic transmissions and front or all-wheel drive are mandatory.