2007 Hyundai Veracruz Moving up in the world.

Let me start out with a moment of complete candor. There was a time, not all that long ago, when I’d avoid any assignment involving products bearing the Hyundai badge. And among automotive journalists, I wasn’t alone. The best you could say, if you were searching for compliments, was that the brand’s products were “cheap and cheerful.” When friends asked, I’d often recommend they look at a certified used car, instead.

That began to change when the first-generation Hyundai Santa Fe showed up in my driveway. Reluctantly, I took it for a drive, and after a couple hours behind the wheel, I walked away with a big smile on my face. Later in the day, when a colleague asked what I thought, I replied, “Pretty good product.” What I notably didn’t need was the modifier, “for a Hyundai.”

Recently, a second generation of that game-changing crossover came to market, and it shows the continuing, rapid evolution of the Hyundai brand – a transformation underscored by the steady move to larger, more lavish and expensive products, including the Korean carmaker’s newest crossover, the Veracruz. This time, offered a chance to take a spin, I hesitated not a moment.

Picking up on the Southwest naming strategy Hyundai has adopted for its truck-like offerings, the Veracruz is the latest entry in a rapidly growing market niche: affordable, three-row crossovers. Of course, the concept of what’s affordable is a matter of individual perception, and those who still remember the original Hyundai Pony, or even current, entry-level offerings, like the Accent or Elantra, might be in for a bit of sticker shock.

The most stripped-down version of the Veracruz comes in near $27,000 – around $1,000 more than a base, two-row Ford Edge – while a fully-loaded Limited model will nudge $38,000. That’s lofty territory, even for a more established brand with a reputation less dependent on price.

So that raises two critical questions: is the Veracruz worth the money, and can Hyundai win over the sort of buyers who’d cough up that cash, folks who traditionally opt for from more established alternatives, such as the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot?

Shapely and sporty

After spending time with the new crossover, we’re convinced that while the Veracruz stretches the perceptive definition of the Hyundai brand, it seems worth the money. Not only will it challenge Mazda’s and Saturn’s new offerings, but it may draw some interest from folks looking even higher up the automotive price spectrum, at products like the Nissan Murano and Lexus RX350.

Indeed, at first glance, you might mistake the Hyundai for Lexus’ curvaceous offering, especially from the side. The styling is subtle yet elegant and also brings to mind the new and toned-down remake of Subaru’s Tribeca. The wraparound head and taillights are a particularly nice upscale touch and we appreciate the fact that Hyundai stylists didn’t feel the need to turn those lamps into overly complicated, sci-fi-like exercises in design excess.

Hyundai tosses in side mirrors with puddle lighting and built-in turn signals. Roof rails are standard, by the way. So are dual exhaust outlets and a rear spoiler.

All in all, the goal was to give the Veracruz a sporty look, and designers succeeded reasonably well. But let’s face it-like its competitors, what Hyundai is really selling is a thinly-disguised minivan.

Okay, there are no sliding doors, but with the Veracruz, three-row seating is standard. The good news is that unlike so many other entries into this segment, the back row is more than just a line on a spec sheet. Would I want to ride back there on a cross-country journey? Probably not, but I’d have no problem hopping in for a trip to the store or a morning commute with the car pool. This is no penalty box. Access is easy with the fold-away second-row seats and there’s actually a reasonable amount of knee room for third-row passengers.

Front, middle or back, seating is comfortable and supportive. For the driver, you get a commanding view of the road with great visibility all around. Most of the seats tilt, slide or fold away, as well, and with everything but the driver’s seat laid flat, there’s a positively cavernous, 86.8 cubic-foot cargo compartment.

First-rate interior

If you want to get a sense of how far Hyundai has come, just take a look inside the new Veracruz. Fit-and-finish is first rate, with a surprisingly refined use of materials and colors. Plastics are largely soft-touch and Hyundai has dealt directly with one of our pet peeves, the acres of dull black plastic many manufacturers layer onto the instrument panel. The center stack is trimmed in silver and gray, with large, easy to read, easy to operate displays and controls. Nissan should pay particular attention for its next-generation Murano.

When Hyundai first burst onto the American scene, nearly 20 years ago, the automaker emphasized pricing. But rock-bottom prices don’t make a good deal if quality lags at the back of the pack.. The Korean carmaker’s turnaround was triggered by a best-in-the-industry, 10-year warranty, and a surge in the quality charts.

Now Hyundai is pushing design and value, maintaining segment-best pricing and tossing in a surprising array of features. With the Veracruz, there are plenty, even on the base-level version.

Start with safety, where the crossover has earned NHTSA five-star ratings in both front and side crash tests. It also garnered four stars for rollover, equal to the best in the SUV category. There are six airbags, including side-curtain protection for all three rows. Anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control are standard, as well, along with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution systems and active front headrests, which help reduce the risk of whiplash.

The Veracruz comes with an AM/FM/CD sound system, and tosses in XM satellite radio, with a trial subscription to the pay service. Oddly, while there’s an available plug for your MP3 player, it’s a pay-for option. There’s a second-row climate control, and you can heat or cool the center console. Second-row reading lamps are standard, along with a “conversation mirror” best used to keep an eye on the kids.

When you move up to the SE and topline Limited models, you get additional features, especially if you opt for the Ultimate Package, with power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, keyless entry and remote engine start.

What that means is that you can load up a Veracruz for a lot less than a stripped-down competitor. By Hyundai’s count, there’s a $3,300 advantage over a comparably-equipped Highlander, for example.

Soaking up the Veracruz

Of course, all this looks good on paper. The question is how does the new crossover drive? To get a feel for the Veracruz, we took a well-equipped GLS out for a run through the rain-soaked Detroit exurbs.

Fire up the standard, 260-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 and you’re greeted with a well-balanced exhaust note. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic that also offers manual-shift mode. The powertrain combination is reasonably quick, though not the segment’s 0-60 benchmark. The transmission is worthy of praise. It’s smooth-shifting without any sense of hunt-and-seek. Hyundai claims a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Hyundai is offering the Veracruz in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, and expects the former to account for about 60 percent of its volume. There’s a moderate amount of ground clearance, but this crossover is built for nothing more than gravel or snow-covered highways, rather than anything close to real off-roading. FWD gets you 18 mpg city/25 highway, while the numbers slip to 17/24 mpg in AWD. Either way, that’s pretty much in the middle of the pack.

Hyundai engineers spent a lot of time tuning the Veracruz for comfortable driving. With its triple door seals and four layers of under-carpet padding, this is one uncannily quiet SUV – arguably to Lexus levels.

Meanwhile, the four-wheel independent suspension with its front and rear stabilizer bars, has been set up for cruising. On highway and smooth, flat roads, it’s absolutely stable. Throw the Veracruz into a hard turn and there’s a fair amount of body roll, however, reflecting the crossover’s heft. (All that high-strength steel, used to enhance crash protection, adds up, after all.)

As that suggests, the Veracruz is not intended to be what you might call a “driver’s vehicle.” The steering is a tad numb and there could be a bit more on-center feel. The brakes will stop you fast, but they’re just a little squishy.

The Veracruz is a solid and credible offering at a surprisingly affordable price. Is it cheap? No, but it’s got a real leg up on the competition when it comes to sticker price. And there’s a lot more to like about this new Hyundai.

Like the Santa Fe before it, the new Veracruz is likely to take by surprise those who haven’t taken a serious look at Hyundai in awhile – if at all. The reality is that barely one in four American motorists even consider the Korean brand. A decade ago, there was good reason. These days, that’s a mistake.

2007 Hyundai Veracruz
Base price: $26,995 (base, front-drive GLS) to $38,000 (fully-loaded, all-wheel-drive Limited)
Engine: 3.8-liter V-6, 260 hp/257 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front- or all-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 190.6 x 76.6 x 68.9 in
Wheelbase: 110.4 in
Curb weight: 4,266 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 18/25 mpg (FWD); 17/24 mpg (AWD)
Major standard features: Air conditioning; power windows/locks/mirrors; AM/FM/CD/XM; manual tilt/telescope (power on up-line models); puddle lamps; second-row reading lights; climate control
Safety features: Six airbags; anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control; active front headrests; tire pressure monitors
Warranty: Five years /60,000 miles

by Paul A. Eisenstein (2007-05-03)

AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE: 2007 Hyundai Veracruz

What do you think of when you hear the name Hyundai? Value for money? Great warranty? Lots of equipment? Lexus-rivaling interior?

Lest you snort cappuccino out your nose in reaction to that last one, let us assure you, it’s no joke. From the soft-touch materials to the superb fit and finish, the new Veracruz seven-seat crossover has an interior that feels expensive and luxurious like no other Hyundai cabin ever has. And as for the exterior styling, it may be anonymous, but it’s also inoffensive, and that seems to be the benchmark for this unadventurous segment.

he Veracruz is easily a match for the Honda Pilot and the Subaru Tribeca in interior quality and packaging–the third-row seats are particularly easy to get into–and it’s competitively priced. But it also deploys that other Hyundai tactic: throw so much content at the thing that upmarket players such as the Lexus RX350 and the Acura MDX begin to look like viable targets. To that end, the Veracruz Limited’s standard equipment list includes leather, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, heated seats, and a power tailgate. And the list goes on (and on).

Mechanically, the Veracruz is equally impressive. The 260-hp V-6 is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic that allows manual shifting. It’s a responsive powertrain, although that V-6 is a little too vocal at high revs. There’s also too much torque steer under hard throttle, especially through sharp corners in the front-wheel-drive model (all-wheel drive is optional).

Dynamically, the Veracruz is pretty forgettable, with little in the way of steering feedback and the kind of body control that discourages aggressive direction changes. Ride quality is decent enough, but the suspension clunks loudly over bumps and potholes. Those deficiencies arguably matter less in this class (although Subaru managed to make the Tribeca engaging). The Veracruz hasn’t reset the benchmark, but you’d be foolish not to check it out if you’re looking at crossovers in this price range–the GLS starts at $26,995.

It’s also further evidence–along with the recent unveiling of the V-8-powered Genesis concept, which will be Korea’s first luxury sport sedan–that Hyundai is taking big strides toward the upper reaches now occupied by the likes of Lexus. But convincing American buyers that “Hyundai” is synonymous with “Lexus”? Well, sir, that’s going to take a lot longer.

By Gavin Conway

Newcomers: 2007 Hyundai Veracruz

When Hyundai announced pricing of its all-new seven-passenger Veracruz-starting at just $26,995-Toyota no doubt breathed an irritated sigh of discomfort, especially considering its seven-seat V-6 Highlander, which offers less horsepower and standard equipment, costs nearly $500 more. And Honda? Probably feeling a bit squirmy, too-its Pilot, equipped with fewer horses and goodies, runs almost $700 extra.

More for less is a persuasive formula that’s proved of great value, so to speak, for Hyundai. Yet it hasn’t garnered the brand-copious comparison-test victories in this magazine. Hyundais often come close, but while high on value and warranty, they’ve tended to register a notch lower in such categories as handling and refinement. That said, with each new model the gap shrinks.

While we’re not ready to declare the Veracruz as the Hyundai that bridges the gap-we’ll wait until we can conduct an extensive comparison evaluation-it certainly offers the credentials and dynamics seemingly to be that vehicle. Hyundai sure thinks so. At the press launch near San Diego, the Korean challenger brought along a Lexus RX 350 for comparison. Target: Toyota? Make that Lexus.

The Veracruz crafts a compelling argument as an easy-on-the-pocket RX 350. For roughly $11,000 less, the Hyundai offers more torque (257 pound-feet versus 251) and nearly as much horsepower (260 versus 270) from its 3.8-liter Lambda V-6, while providing two additional seats and an extra cog in its tranny, thanks to a new Aisin six-speed manumatic. Styling? As fresh and clean as the bod of any Lexus sport/ute, with a front fascia that suggests the RX and a rakish D-pillar like a Honda CR-V’s.

The Hyundai Veracruz’s interior is as Lexus as, well, a Lexus, based on the luxuries in our Limited test vehicle. Senior photographer John Kiewicz notes, “Were you to remove the Hyundai logo from the steering wheel, then look around at the Veracruz’s interior, would it make you think you were in a new Lexus? Absolutely.”

Dimensionally, the Veracruz, at 190.6 inches long, 76.6 wide, and 68.9 tall, closely copies the Honda Pilot and the upcoming 2008 Highlander and is a smidge longer than both. Third-row room is paramount in these minivan alternatives-at least the idea of it-and the Veracruz delivers ample space for kids and enough freedom for six-footers on a jaunt. Moreover, access to the third row is trouble-free, as the second-row cushions and seatbacks move forward for easier ingress and egress. And with the second and third rows folded flat, cargo room, at 86.8 cubic feet, dwarfs that (83.3) of a Mercedes-Benz GL450.

Besides wanting a dozen or so additional pound-feet of torque, more responsive on-center steering, and an integrated nav system (Hyundai says this option will be available later in the year), we came away impressed with the Veracruz. Three model trims-base $26,995 GLS, midlevel $28,695 SE, and flagship $32,995 Limited-allow a wide breadth of budgets and tastes, with each level available in front or all-wheel drive, the latter at a $1700 premium that includes an Intelligent Torque Controlled Coupling and a lock mode for a 50:50 torque ratio. The GLS is packed with six airbags, stability control, active front head restraints, rear-seat HVAC controls, heated sideview mirrors, 17-inch alloys, and a six-speaker MP3/XM audio system. Move up to the SE for some sporty flavor, and Hyundai tacks on 18-inch wheels, foglamps, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a cooled front center console. Got more greenbacks in the wallet? Then opt for the Limited, which adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, an ultrasonic backup warning system, and an Infinity audio system with a subwoofer. Options include an Entertainment Package (rear-seat DVD system with eight-inch LCD) and an Ultimate Package (power-adjustable steering wheel and power tailgate).

The Veracruz is a formidable player in the seven-passenger crossover segment and will no doubt be a strong contender in next year’s Sport/Utility of the Year competition. Every automaker, not just Toyota and Honda, should be nervous.

By Ron Kiino

Hyundai’s Veracruz offers ‘extras’ as standards

Hyundai’s new Veracruz is a stylish and luxurious vehicle that offers better performance and value than many competing models, says a spokesman for Gaddis Hyundai of Muncie.

Veracruz models began arriving at the local dealership a few weeks ago.

“Value is the big story with Hyundai,” said Jim Raines, a sales representative at Gaddis Hyundai. “At a base price of $26,305, the Veracruz offers a lot for the buyer’s dollar.”

Many standard features on the base Veracruz GLS cost extra on most other vehicles, Raines said, citing the base model’s XM satellite radio and three-zone automatic climate control as examples.

He added that the Veracruz offers more than features — it also has the “feel” and performance of a luxury vehicle.

When Hyundai introduced the vehicle this past January at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show, the company issued a statement saying, “Veracruz takes on the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander and beats them in terms of powertrain performance and standard safety features while adding sophisticated design, high-quality craftsmanship and seating for seven adults.”

One of a growing number of “crossovers,” the Veracruz has the appearance, space and driving position of a sport-utility vehicle, but it is built on a car chassis.

Raines said the crossover design appeals to buyers because it offers better handling and fuel economy than a truck-based SUV.

“SUV buyers as well as luxury car buyers would find that the Veracruz could meet their needs,” Raines said. “Many potential buyers and car reviewers are comparing the Veracruz to the Lexus RX350.”

The Veracruz has a standard “hideaway” third-row seat that folds flat into the floor, allowing the vehicle to carry seven passengers with the third seat up, or 40 cubic feet of cargo with the third seat down.

With the second-row seat folded down as well, the vehicle’s cargo capacity increases to nearly 87 cubic feet. Raines said Hyundai’s warranty program inspires confidence in buyers.

The Veracruz is covered by a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Owners also receive free roadside assistance for five years and an unlimited number of miles.

“Compare Hyundai’s warranty to any other warranty — no one else can even come close,” Raines said.

All Veracruz models have a 260-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine and a “Shiftronic” six-speed automatic transmission. The Shiftronic feature allows the driver to shift gears manually if desired.

Gas mileage estimates are 18 city and 25 highway for front-drive versions of the Veracruz; all-wheel drive models are rated at 17 city and 24 highway.

Three Veracruz trim levels — GLS, SE and Limited — give the vehicle a base price range of $26,305 to $32,305.

Standard features on the $26,305 Veracruz GLS include three-zone automatic climate control, XM satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system with steering-wheel mounted controls, 17-inch alloy wheels and heated mirrors.

At $28,005, the SE model also has an eight-way power driver’s seat, HomeLink garage door transmitter, fog lights, automatic headlamps and an automatically- dimming rearview mirror with an integral compass. In addition, the SE has larger 18-inch alloy wheels.

The $32,305 Veracruz Limited offers a leather interior, four-way power passenger seat, power sunroof, backup warning system, 314-watt Infinity sound system, power tailgate and heated seats.

Safety features on all models include front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, stability control and front active head restraints that move forward in a rear-end accident to help prevent head and neck injuries.

By KEN WICKLIFFE
For The Star Press