Motor Trend takes on Hyundai's challenge to take over the luxury crossover market in this latest head-to-head road test comparing the 2007 Hyundai Veracruz with the 2008 Lexus RX 350 (Motor Trend's first-ever SUV of the Year).
Here's a look at what Matt Stone says about what the new Veracruz has to offer in a market all ready established by Lexus:
"Bring it," said our contact at Hyundai. "We know we have a great price/value story in the Veracruz, but forget that. We want to take on the Lexus, straight up." Okay, pal. You got it.
With its most recent round of product introductions, Hyundai has gone from price-driven alternative to legit player in several vehicle categories (the same can be said for corporate cousin, Kia). The designs, most of which now originate in Southern California, are clean and handsome, quality has jumped by leaps and bounds, and performance has come up to class average in most cases. The Veracruz (June 2007) is Hyundai's newest crossover entry, slotting in above the Santa Fe with more room and features and a third-row seat.
Lexus's RX pioneered the notion of the midsize, car-based, luxury crossover in 1999 and was Motor Trend's first Sport/Utility of the Year. That original RX 300 got a makeover, becoming the RX 330 in 2003 and the larger-engined RX 350 in spring 2006 as a 2007 model (our tester is a 2008). It remains the gold standard in the category and has spurred at least a half-dozen imitators.From a brand standpoint, Lexus flies first class all the way. Hyundai established itself two decades ago with compact cars sold primarily on price and has been trying to upgrade from coach ever since. But the two end up meeting at the intersection of RX 350 and Veracruz Limited AWD.The Limited is the top-drawer Veracruz, combining every feature Hyundai has in its bin, plus all-wheel drive. The RX isn't available in 2WD, and even a base-equipped RX 350 is lavish by comparison. But as equipped here, they both have all the stuff a luxury crossover buyer will want, including leather upholstery, heated seats, power everything, impressive audio systems, a comprehensive safety package, power rear liftgate, rear-seat DVD player/screen, 18-inch rolling stock, traction and stability-control systems, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The Hyundai's 3.8-liter V-6 is rated at 260 horsepower. Lexus's 3.5-liter V-6 cranks out 10 horsepower more, but requires premium fuel to do so (the Veracruz runs on regular).
In terms of performance, the RX's 10 more horsepower has about 400 fewer pounds to pull, so it wins all the acceleration contests. It's ahead by a second at the 0-to-60 mark, and that differential holds most of the way through the quarter mile, where the edge is still eight-tenths of a second. Both engines are strong, relatively quiet (with the nod to the Veracruz), and have wide torque bands thanks to variable valve timing. In the 60-to-0 braking contest, the Lexus stopped five feet shorter than the Hyundai, but since production tolerances between vehicles often results in variances larger than that, call it a draw.
In real-world driving, both do the job nicely and will take you and your occupants anywhere you want to go in comfort. Ride quality is about equal, although the Lexus exhibits less wind noise at higher speeds. Both have good steering and brake pedal feel. Kudos to the Hyundai's six-speed automatic transmission. It has one more gear than does the Lexus's, shifts smoother without being mushy, and responds quickly to downshift demands. The RX's trans shifts more harshly under heavy load. The Veracruz turns in more confidently and steers in a more linear manner. When you bend the Lexus into a corner hard, it asks for a steering correction. If you overdo it, the RX calls in the stability controls.
If we accept that the Lexus's brand cachet, dealer-service reputation, reliability reputation, and historically high resale value are worth the 25-percent premium, price is no longer an issue. So which should you buy?The Lexus faithful won't be moved by the Veracruz. They're a loyal bunch and likely will replace their current RX with another. By doing so, they'll get a sophisticated, high-quality piece that's even nicer than their last one. It'll serve them well and return that loyalty at trade-in or re-lease time. The RX 350 remains the category leader, and the Veracruz does little to impact that. But can you get most of the goodness at 20 percent off?
To read the full head-to-head comparison, visit MotorTrend.com!