It's only a question of time before Hyundai produces a car or sport/utility or truck worthy of the Motor Trend calipers. We've been saying that for a couple years now.
Could this be the South Korean upstart's year?
We would've scoffed at that idea seven years ago, when the first Santa Fe competed for Motor Trend's sport/utility trophy. Last year a much-improved Santa Fe competed and we stopped scoffing. For 2008, Hyundai's new, bigger-than-SF Veracruz takes the company to a new level.
Hyundais have captured buyers by offering Toyota/Honda competitors at used-car prices. As if preparing us for the coming BH rear-drive Hyundai sport sedan, the Veracruz is a Korean Lexus at a Toyota price. The Veracruz easily matches the Lexus RX 350 for luxury, refinement, fit and finish at a Highlander price. Our Limited-trim model is priced like a well-equipped Toyota Highlander, though, with stylish cordovan leather seats and a long list of features, including Bluetooth connectivity, adjustable pedals, driver-side power lumbar control, AC plug, parabolic mirror for checking on the kids, mood lighting that includes classy step-plate "Veracruz" blue emblem lights and a navigation system. Strangely, the only toy missing is that key tool for responsible parenthood, the backup camera.
The third row is for kids only, with more headroom than the Mazda CX-9's, but less leg and shoulder-room than the capacious Buick Enclave. Some editors found the second-row seats hard. Taller editors found the front row short on headroom. Overall, the Veracruz is a right-sized family mover, luxurious and comfortable, if a bit bland. It was obviously designed from the inside out. Most of the exterior styling is okay, although the rear end is a bit droopy, probably designed to avoid looking like a minivan tailgate.
This Hyundai wouldn't grab the calipers for avant-garde engineering. The 3.8-liter V-6 makes less horsepower than the CX-9's 3.7 and the Enclave and Saturn Vue's 3.6 V-6. It feels lazier in its responsiveness. The ride is firm and the steering is quick, with good feedback, but you'll feel kickback through the steering on rough roads. We observed a high of 14.7 mpg on the dash readout, just short of the Veracruz's EPA city number.
As a sport/utility and minivan alternative in the large-crossover segment, the Hyundai Veracruz is better executed than many of its American and Japanese competitors. Is that enough to overcome its lack of originality and cutting-edge engineering technology and become the first Hyundai to take the Motor Trend calipers home?
VIDEO: 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ FROM THE SUOTY
PHOTOS: EXCLUSIVE 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ PHOTO GALLERY