Hyundai Grandeur/Azera GN7

Once the icon of the late 80s, the Hyundai Grandeur is now on its seventh generation and this all-new model is all about honoring the past while embracing the future in the age of a new normal where sedans are becoming endangered species thanks to the rise of the crossovers.

2023 Hyundai Grandeur

2023 Hyundai Grandeur

Priced at 37,160,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the all-new, seventh-generation, Hyundai Grandeur is all about the past, present, and future colliding together in this bold new take of Hyundai's flagship saloon that became the status symbol for every Korean businessman when the first model was launched in 1986.

Beginning with the design, the front view of the all-new Grandeur features a Staria-styled nose because the people who designed it were enamored by the Staria's futuristic looks so they decided to copy it on the new Grandeur. Apart from the Staria-styled nose, the rear view draws inspiration from the IONIQ 6 while the side view is heavily inspired by the first-generation Grandeur. They're right about celebrating the Grandeur lineage with this design, though.

2023 Hyundai Grandeur interior

On the inside, the all-new Grandeur is all about futuristic in every detail as the dashboard features two touch screens; above for the connected car Navigation Cockpit (making its debut on this car) and below for climate control, which adds complexity for those who got their hands cleaned with their hand sanitizer. There are two knobs that can adjust the volume or change radio stations, a set of buttons for easy use, HUD, and a steering wheel reminiscent of the one from the first-generation Grandeur. What's complexing is that the gear lever is now positioned below the steering wheel, an ode to the first-generation Grandeur as well.

While the driver's side is all business, the passenger space is the real standout for the all-new Grandeur because of its slightly longer wheelbase compared to the previous IG model, meaning it's got more space for the VIPs to relax in their sweet spot. As for boot space, it's not so bad for carrying even the most sensitive stuff bosses can only understand.

2023 Hyundai Grandeur

Because it now runs on the same bits and bobs from the Kia K8, the all-new Grandeur is subtler and more enjoyable to drive than the previous model, making it the most sophisticated Grandeur to drive. Coupled with the electronically controlled suspension with road preview and HTRAC all-wheel-drive, the Grandeur delivers the impression of driving an outrageously-priced European import, which is rather surprising for a Korean-made luxury sedan. Although not in a Mercedes level of luxuriousness, it's a bit Audi-ish to drive, to be honest.

Like the Kia K8, the Grandeur GN7 features four powertrains such as the Smartstream 2.5L petrol engine producing 198PS of power, the Smartstream LPG 3.5L engine produces 240PS of power, and 7.8km/L of combined fuel economy, the hybrid variant with the Smartstream 1.6L turbo hybrid engine on it produces 180PS of power and 18km/L of combined fuel economy, and the flagship Smartstream G 3.5L petrol engine producing 300PS of power and 10.4km/L of combined fuel economy. All variants are mated to an 8-speed AT while the hybrid variant is mated to a six-speed AT.

In the interest of safety, the Grandeur GN7 features the latest version of Hyundai Smart Sense, which features numerous active safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blindspot View Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and many more.

The Hyundai Grandeur GN7 is all about honoring the past while embracing the future in the age of a new normal. Having been around for 36 years, this latest generation is proof that the Grandeur is here to stay, whatever it takes, and looks like the Koreans are not kidding with it. The sedan that redefined South Korea is now reborn.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company