Grandeur Hybrid proves highly fuel efficient in test driveBy Choi Kyong - ae SEOUL / PAJU , South Korea , April 5 ( Yonhap ) -- A 80 - kilometer , 90 - minute drive is not long enough to get to really know Hyundai Motor Co . ' s latest Grandeur Hybrid . But the test drive did prove the most important aspect pf the car -- its fuel economy . In a mix of urban and expressway driving taking place west and north of Seoul , the new Grandeur , called the Azera , showed very good mileage numbers , which should especially appeal to markets like the United States . After 15 minutes of driving at cruise " eco " mode with the speed set at 90 kph , the big car ' s dashboard showed an average fuel economy of 18 . 8 km on a liter of petrol , which is higher than the official 16 . 2 km per liter rated by the government . The gauge in the dash in stop - and - go city driving averaged 9 - 10 km per liter . When placed in the " sport " setting on the motorway , the gauge averaged 12 km at speeds of 100 kph . Hyundai Motor ' s Grandeur Hybrid ( Courtesy of Hyundai Motor ) These photos , taken on April 5 , 2017 , show the 17 - inch spoked tires ( above ) and the dashboard setup of the Grandeur hybrid . ( Yonhap ) For Hyundai , these results can be a strong selling point for its full - size sedan , with the other being its " very competitive " sticker price . The price for a decently optioned hybrid starts at 36 million won ( US $ 32 , 000 ) and rises to around 40 million ( $ 36 , 000 ) depending on options selected . Hyundai stressed that the basic trim level car carries a price tag that is 17 million won cheaper than its rival Lexus ' ES hybrid sedan . " The Grandeur Hybrid comes at a more compelling price point , better fuel economy , bigger space and refined driving characteristics compared to our competitor Lexus ' hybrid model , " Park Sang - hyeon , a product manager at Hyundai , told reporters during the test - drive event Wednesday . In actual driving , the ride was composed and quiet in the city , and the steering wheel felt weighty . The car ' s characteristics changed with driving mode , with more power on tap in sport mode , while the car responded more sluggishly when placed in eco . Backseat legroom and headroom were also ample even for a relatively tall person , with the trunk being big enough to haul four golf bags . Safety and convenience features such as a lane departure warning and heads - up display can be had with the car that could bolster it to appeal to drivers who want safer cars . These photos , taken on April 5 , 2017 , show a competitively sized trunk ( above ) and a 2 . 4 - liter engine mated to a six - speed automatic transmission . ( Yonhap ) The Grandeur Hybrid cruised easily on the motorway at speeds of up to 130 kph without a problem , although on the downside some wind noise started creeping into the cabin at the higher speeds . Moreover , the vehicle leaned into curves at speed and the shocks seemed to struggle under adverse road conditions . Currently , Japanese carmakers are leading players in gasoline - hybrid and plug - in hybrid vehicles . They have strengthened their presence in the U . S . and other major markets helped by fuel - saving models . Hyundai is still less known in the hybrid market , although it has the Sonata Hybrid and the latest Ioniq Hybrid models sold worldwide . The company has yet to decide on the time frame for exporting the Grandeur Hybrid to markets outside of South Korea . Hyundai , South Korea ' s largest carmaker , meanwhile , said it aims to sell 5 . 08 million vehicles in 2017 , up 4 . 5 percent from the 4 . 86 million sold a year earlier . kyongae . choi @ yna . co . kr ( END )