The Azera made its debut as Hyundai's flagship in 2006. For its second year of production, the Azera adds steering wheel audio controls, improved electroluminescent gauges for the Limited model, and side-view mirrors with integrated turn signals, the latter as part of the Ultimate Package.

The Azera debuted in 2006 to a host of raised eyebrows. A successor to the XG350, the Azera was a major step beyond that car thanks to more mainstream styling, more power, and a host of features normally found on high-end luxury models. Hyundai intended the Azera to compete with top-of-the-line midsize cars like the Toyota Camry XLE and Honda Accord EX as well as large cars like the Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne, and Nissan Maxima. The Azera aimed to offer more space, a bigger engine, and comfort and convenience accessories that Japanese and German automakers usually reserved for their premium luxury marques.

Okay, let's be honest, there was a time when the name Hyundai bolted to the back of a new car was likely to ensure it low priority in a press fleet. If there were three vehicles in my own driveway, it was certain to be the last I'd take out for a test drive. That changed, a few years back, when I took delivery of an earlySanta Fe .