Hyundai Veracruz Review

2009 Hyundai Veracruz Limited SUV Shown

The Hyundai Veracruz is the largest 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 is a large crossover SUV offered in GLS and Limited trim levels. They're all powered by the same 3.8-liter 260-horsepower V6 that's 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 tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod audio jacks. 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 parking sensors, a power liftgate, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a power driver seat and heated front seats.

Step up to the Limited and the price climbs considerably. It's the most luxurious Hyundai Veracruz and includes much of the GLS's optional equipment as standard plus dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals and steering column, driver memory functions, keyless ignition/entry and an upgraded stereo. A navigation system, rear seat entertainment system and surround-sound audio are also available.

When the Veracruz was introduced, it was compared to luxury models rather than more pedestrian-badged competitors. 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 that 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.

Used Hyundai Veracruz Models

The Hyundai Veracruz was introduced for the 2007 model year. Originally it was offered in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels. Engine output and feature content has largely remained the same since then, although the navigation system and power tailgate became available for 2008. Also, the SE trim was dropped for 2009 in favor of two optional packages available on the GLS.

SELECT A SPECIFIC HYUNDAI VERACRUZ MODEL YEAR*

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