Hyundai's lineup is full of efficient and affordable cars, but now the automaker can tout its models' award-winning interiors as well. WardsAuto recently named the Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Azera to its 2012 Ward's 10 Best Interiors list, proving that while the vehicles at Hyundai dealerships may be reasonably priced, they are anything but cheap.

Nominees for the 10 Best Interiors list had to have an all-new or heavily updated interior to be considered, and with no price cap or segment categories, affordable compacts were evaluated alongside the finest luxury models on the market. Each vehicle was judged by WardsAuto editors on ergonomics, safety, materials, aesthetics and overall value. Looking at each interior's human-machine interface, WardsAuto also scored models on how effectively they relay information to occupants.

"Even when competing against luxury vehicles with pumped up price tags, Hyundai's interiors shined," said Kristin Paxton, Sales Manager of Gentile Hyundai, a Racine, Wisconsin Hyundai dealership. "Luxury brands like Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were noticeably absent from the 10 Best Interiors list this year, while Hyundai was the only brand to feature multiple vehicles."

Making a strong argument that it is the affordable alternative to established luxury sedans, the 2012 Hyundai Azera impressed WardsAuto with its heated and cooled seats, panoramic roof and even a motorized sun shade for the back seats, all available for an affordable price. Editors praised the interior's flashy design and premium materials, noting that the Azera highlights Hyundai's ambitions to be known for more than just its models' value.

The award from Ward is not the only one gathered by the newly released model. Cars.com has just named the Azera a “Best Bet” for 2012. Patrick Olsen, the Editor In Chief at Cars.com, states that “The redesigned Hyundai Azera offers a roomy cabin, great value for the price and solid reliability…This vehicle and the others from Hyundai that we have named a ‘best bet’ are vehicles that any of our editors would drive.” Joining the Azera on the list were the Tuscon Genesis Coupe, and of course the Sonata and Elantra. Cars.com based the awards on fuel efficiency, reliability, and safety. Scott Margason, Director of Product Planning of Hyundai, was pleased with the rating saying “It’s an honor to have Cars.com editors recognize the Azera and five other Hyundai models on their list of vehicles to buy in 2012,”

Word mentioning, Ward also conferred the "10 Best Interiors" award to the Hyundai Accent, making it the only automaker with more than one vehicle on the top 10. Compact-car buyers may not be expecting luxurious interiors during their search, but WardsAuto found that the inside of the 2012 Hyundai Accent had the features and attention to detail of a much more expensive car. As Hyundai's lowest-priced vehicle, the Accent was lauded for its leather-wrapped steering wheel and the swooping design lines on its instrument panel. Editors were also pleased by the compact's Hyundai-family center-stack elements, which have also proven popular in the Veloster and Elantra.

Hyundai's Accent, Veloster and Elantra are all capable of returning 40 mpg on the highway, a feat that recently earned the 2012 Elantra a spot on the 10 Best Green Cars of 2012 list from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Making the list for the second-straight year, the Elantra was honored for its ability to reach that 40-mpg mark across all trim levels, in addition to its contoured exterior styling and low entry price. "Hyundai doesn't make buyers pay extra to get a trim with great fuel economy; each of their vehicles come with it standard," Paxton noted. "Most gas-only cars max out in the mid-30s when it comes to miles per gallon on the highway, but the Accent, Veloster and Elantra are giving Americans more for their money when they need it most."