Hyundai Grandeur

Hyundai Grandeur at a glance

The Grandeur has been Hyundai's executive saloon for almost four decades, positioned above the Sonata and, until the Genesis brand arrived, at the top of the range. Every generation is a four-door saloon. In North America it was sold as the XG and later the Azera until 2017, while Europe received the XG30 and the Grandeur TG; today the model is mainly sold in South Korea and the Middle East.

Hyundai's rise from a construction company to a global carmaker is told in the history of Hyundai, and its current range, from the Hyundai Tucson to the Hyundai Palisade, is in the Hyundai catalogue.

Hyundai Grandeur generations

First and second generations (1986–1998)

The first Grandeur was a rebadged Mitsubishi Debonair, sold in Japan as the Debonair V, with 2.0 and 2.4-litre four-cylinders and, from 1991, a 3.0 V6. Hyundai presented it at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and about 122,000 were built, making it Korea's best-selling large car. The second generation was a joint project in which Mitsubishi supplied the V6 powertrains (2.0 to 3.5 litres) and Hyundai the body; it was not exported and became a status symbol in Korea.

Third generation XG (1998–2005)

The XG was the first Grandeur developed entirely by Hyundai and shared its platform with the Kia Opirus. Export versions were named after their engines: the XG250 with a 2.5 V6 of 123 kW (165 bhp), the XG30 with a 3.0 V6 of 135 kW (181 bhp), sold in Europe, and the XG350 with a 3.5 V6 of 145 kW (194 hp) for North America. It was built in Korea, Turkey and Taiwan.

Fourth generation TG (2005–2011)

The TG shared its platform with the Sonata and was sold as the Grandeur in most of Europe (as the Azera in France and, from 2006, Belgium), Australia and Japan. The 3.8 Lambda V6 produced 198 kW (265 hp), and Europe also offered the 2.2 CRDi diesel from the Santa Fe. Until the Genesis saloon of 2008 it was the most expensive Hyundai in most export markets.

Fifth generation HG (2011–2017)

Unveiled for export at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show as the 2012 Azera, the HG offered a 2.4 Theta II with 133 kW (178 hp), a 3.0 V6 with up to 198 kW and a 3.3 GDi V6 with 218 kW (293 hp), plus a 2.2 diesel. A hybrid joined the range in 2013. The Azera left North America after 2017.

Sixth generation IG (2016–2022)

The IG was not sold in North America. It offered 2.4 and 2.5-litre four-cylinders with 139–145 kW, 3.0 and 3.3 V6 engines with up to 213 kW (286 hp), and a hybrid from March 2017. Hyundai sold about 132,000 in 2017 and 110,000 in 2018, making it the best-selling car in its Korean segment, and facelifted it in 2019.

Seventh generation GN7 (2022 to today)

Launched in South Korea in November 2022, the GN7 shares the N3 platform with the Kia K8 and is longer than before. Engines are the 2.5 Smartstream GDi with 145 kW (195 hp), the 3.5 GDi V6 with 221 kW (296 hp), a 3.5 LPG V6 with 177 kW (237 hp) and a 1.6 turbo hybrid with 169 kW (227 hp); all-wheel drive is available. A facelift followed in April 2026.

Grandeur V6, four-cylinder and hybrid engines

Grandeurs are front-wheel drive with automatic gearboxes, and most generations centre on V6 engines from 2.5 to 3.8 litres. The 3.8 Lambda V6 of the TG and the 3.3 GDi of the HG and IG are the strongest older engines, while the GN7's 3.5 GDi V6 is the most powerful Grandeur so far. Korean buyers also have LPG versions, and hybrids have been offered since 2013.

Grandeur cabin and comfort features

The Grandeur has always been sold on comfort and equipment. Top IG versions offered wireless phone charging, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, leather seats, a heated steering wheel, electric steering-column adjustment, dual-zone climate control, an electric parking brake, keyless entry, full LED headlights, an around-view monitor and an electric rear blind. The boot is practical rather than large.

Grandeur weak points to check

The Grandeur shares engines and electronics with other Hyundai and Kia models, so parts are widely available in markets where it was sold. On older TG and HG cars, check the automatic gearbox fluid history, the condition of the V6 timing components and the electrics of heavily equipped versions. In Europe, the TG is now rare, so specific parts may need to be ordered.

Rivals: how the Grandeur compares

In Korea the Grandeur competes with the Kia K8 (and earlier the Kia Opirus and Cadenza). In export markets it faced the Toyota Avalon and Toyota Camry, the Nissan Maxima and, in Europe, large front-wheel-drive saloons such as the Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia. It usually offered more equipment for the money. More Korean models are listed among Korean cars.