The dash sweeps gracefully across the car, beginning and ending in sectioned caps molded into the front door panels, and beneath an odd, table edge-like, flat rim that circles the entire interior from the outboard edges of the rear seats. Vent registers are symmetrically positioned near the doors and on each side of the audio and climate control panels centered above a large storage bin. Intuitively proportioned tachometer, speedometer, fuel level and engine coolant gauges peer out from a hooded pod through the top half of the steering wheel. Large, friendly knobs, buttons and switches return a pleasant tactile feel.
The center console is trimmed in natural-looking woodgrain and brushed aluminum. Up front, almost tucked up underneath the dash overhang, is a covered ashtray with lighter. Aft of this is a small cubby, with controls for the seat heaters standard in the Limited and optional in the SE. Driver and front passenger have access to a pair of cup holders beneath a hinged cover forward of the padded cover over the bi-level center console storage bin.
The shift lever travels through a gated slot that puts the secondary, Sportronic gear selector slot on the opposite side of the gate from the driver. We prefer it on the driver's side.
Map pockets in each door are provided, part of which flip out to expand. The backsides of the front seats wear magazine pouches. Back seat passengers get a fold-down center armrest with two cup holders and, overhead, reading lights.
The seats, front and rear, are comfortable but supportive. Front seat bases are fully enclosed so hardware isn't exposed. The driver's seat power lumbar covers an impressive range. Front seats give more and better thigh support than the rears, but the copious rear seat leg room more than compensates, helped by the rear doors' remarkably wide openings.
Visibility is good all around, with special credit to the view out the back. The adjustable rear head restraints are the shingle type, which are formed to fit down over the top of the seatback when retracted. The electro-chromatic rearview mirror comes with an off switch, for the compass, too, and when that's turned off, the window in which it appears fades into the mirror. And shift into reverse with the Limited's rear sunshade deployed, and it automatically retracts.
The Azera is roomy. Against the competition in interior measurements, the Azera generally prevails, besting the 2006 Nissan Maxima, the 2006 Buick LaCrosse and the 2006 Mercury Milan in all measures and losing only to the 2006 Toyota Avalon in front and rear seat hiproom and rear seat legroom.
In trunk space, the Azera tops them all, the Avalon by more than two cubic feet, the LaCrosse by just over half a cubic foot. The Azera's trunk is fully finished, and enclosed gooseneck hinges and a hydraulic strut lift the lid.
