Hyundai Veracruz Review

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Limited SUV Shown

The Hyundai Veracruz is the largest and most expensive vehicle Hyundai has ever sold in North America. While this large crossover sport-utility vehicle maintains Hyundai's typical value proposition, a fully loaded model can cost close to $40,000. It might seem like a lot, but the price is still very competitive with similar models.

During the Veracruz's development, Hyundai set its sights not on the typical cast of competing automakers but on Lexus instead. As such, the Veracruz boasts an impressively luxurious cabin and a serene and quiet ride. Anyone shopping for a large crossover SUV should at least test-drive the Veracruz. It might not be substantially ahead of the competition in any one area, but it certainly deserves to be considered alongside the more established American and Japanese crossover SUVs.

Current Hyundai Veracruz

The Veracruz, an all-new full-size crossover SUV introduced for the 2007 model year, is offered in the expected Hyundai trim levels (GLS, SE, Limited) and they're all powered by the same 3.8-liter 260-horsepower V6. This is the same engine found in the Azera sedan, but it has been slightly tweaked for use in the Veracruz. The V6 is paired to a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. Each trim level is offered in front- or all-wheel drive.

Although it's the base model, the GLS offers plenty of standard features such as seven-passenger seating, rear-seat air-conditioning, a six-speaker audio system and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. It also comes with a host of standard safety features including front-seat side airbags, full-length head-protection airbags, stability control and antilock disc brakes with brake assist. Major options for the GLS include a power driver seat, a sunroof and heated front seats.

The SE has a few extra features and can also be had with additional options, such as leather seating, a premium sound system and a rear-seat entertainment system. Step up to the Limited and the price climbs considerably. It's the most luxurious Veracruz and includes much of the SE's optional equipment as standard plus dual-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate and power-adjustable pedals. A navigation system and a surround-sound audio system are also available.

Luckily for Hyundai, those comparisons are not at all far-fetched. We found the Veracruz to be well built, luxurious and very quiet on the road. The V6 is smooth and powerful enough, although in a perfect world we'd like a little more torque in the lower rpm range. All-wheel drive is available and seven-passenger seating is standard.

In reviews, we've found the Hyundai Veracruz's strengths include excellent build and materials quality, a generous standard features list, top-notch crash test results, a serene ride quality and long warranty coverage.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.