Dec 21, 2007
2007 Hyundai Veracruz SE
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Hyundai never ceases to amaze. Its new, premium crossover sport-utility vehicle, the Veracruz, earned raves from a test-driver who’s happiest behind the wheel of a Mercedes M-Class or Land Rover. Our other driver, an SUV skeptic, was impressed that so big and powerful a vehicle — seven-passenger capacity; 260-horsepower V-6 engine — could achieve fuel economy in the low 20s.
The Veracruz supplants the Santa Fe as Hyundai’s biggest and highest-priced SUV, though the latter stays in the lineup as the midsize entry. Hyundai also competes in the compact-SUV segment with the Tucson.
For green-eyeshade types looking for efficient seven-passenger transportation, the minivan is still preferable to the SUV. Hyundai’s Entourage starts about $1,600 less than the Veracruz in SE trim. Roomier and more functional than the Veracruz, it lacks the SUV’s rugged image and mild off-road capability and is no better in the fuel-economy department.
What made the Veracruz a hit with both of our drivers was its high level of comfort, its many features at a modest price, and its pleasant road manners. The Veracruz is one of the quietest and most refined cars of its type that we’ve driven, in keeping with Hyundai’s stated intent to use the luxurious Lexus RX350 as a benchmark.
Indeed, the list of standard features in the $28,005 SE is staggering: shiftable 6-speed automatic transmission, rear-seat climate controls, XM radio, steering-wheel audio controls, autodimming interior and outside mirrors, power driver’s seat, remote keyless entry and cruise control, to name a few. Our black Veracruz was loaded with options, including leather upholstery, sunroof, heated front seats, backup warning system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and carpeted floor mats, bringing the sticker price to $33,770. The only thing missing was all-wheel drive, an option that bumps up the price by $1,700.
The lowest-priced Veracruz, the front-wheel-drive GLS, starts at $26,305, while the all-wheel-drive, top-of-the-line Limited costs $34,005 — positively stratospheric for a Hyundai, but well within the standards of this highly competitive class.
There must be a lot of multi-tasking going on at Hyundai, because it seems to be taking on Volvo on the safety front as vigorously as it’s challenging the major Japanese automakers in luxury and overall performance. Every Veracruz comes with every major safety system, including roof-mounted side-curtain air bags, stability control, traction control and front-seat active head restraints. It received five-star ratings in government crash tests for frontal and side impacts, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top “Good” rating for offset-crash protection.
Then, of course, there’s Hyundai’s famous power-train warranty of 10 years, 100,000 miles, with a five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and seven-year rust-through protection.
Reliability data aren’t yet available on this new model, but the Santa Fe has been racking up better-than-average ratings in Consumer Reports magazine surveys since 2002.
Hyundai seems to outdo itself every year, most recently with the Azera sedan, which combines sparkling performance, luxury and affordability. We can’t wait until this company turns its steep learning trajectory to the fuel-economy front.
Steven Macoy (smacoy3070@cs.com) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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