Hyundai Azera spotted out testing, likely China bound

Hyundai’s upgraded all of its popular sedans – the Accent, Elantra and Sonata have gone through a sea of change in the recent past. Joining the bandwagon is the Hyundai Azera, which is based on the Sonata’s platform and is marginally wider and longer. The 2012 Azera will have Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design language that has sheet metal dripping and flowing from bumper to bumper.

The older Azera, though sold in China in not many numbers, could catch up with this design update. The Chinese market welcomes big sedans with generous rear seat comfort. We see no reason why the new Azera could turn the tables for Hyundai in the large sedan market in China, although it will be in a strong market that is shared by Nissan’s Teana, Toyota’s Camry and Honda’s Accord.

Engine options are likely to be a V6 and 4 cylinder models for the Chinese market.