After spending time in the Hyundai Veracruz, many of our staffers are reminded of crossovers like the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, and Lexus RX. While all of these CUVs are just as capable as our Veracruz, we agree that if given the choice, we’d take the Hyundai.

Nate Luzod
Art Director

Reviews have grouped the Veracruz with the likes of the CX-9, the Highlander, and the Outlook. While all are respectable, I’d put the Veracruz Limited AWD in a league above. Everything inside is very well done—downright luxurious, even. The leather seats look stylish and feel great, the dash is soft to the touch with not a bit of cheap plastic in sight. I was reminded more of a Lexus RX than anything, only here we get a third row. The Hyundai nav system needs a bit of work, but it’s a nice touch and still leaps and bounds better than Ford’s (granted that’s not saying much).

The car drove well, but I wish I had gotten the opportunity to test it in the snow or rain. In our relatively dry Michigan spring, handling and acceleration were very decent. I feel slightly unsafe in the aforementioned vehicles at higher speeds, but this was not the case in the Veracruz.

I’m consistently pleased with the newer Hyundai products and look forward to things only getting better.

Kimberly A. Ewing
Business/Fleet Manager

I was very impressed with the Hyundai Veracruz. My first impression was that it is similar to the Lexus RX, Nissan Murano, and Buick Enclave. The vehicle is sleek and stunning on the outside, refined and luxurious on the inside. I loved how the Veracruz felt on the road, and power, though not overly impressive, was fine. Winding roads, curvy on-ramps, and tight turns felt safe and secure.

Seyth Miersma
News Writer

Hyundai’s V-6 felt adequately powerful on the highway and quite able around town, but not exactly smooth in its execution. The six-speed transmission performed admirably in full auto mode, though the Shiftronic auto-stick seemed a bit silly in this application.

I took the Veracruz across Michigan for a weekend with the family and couldn’t have asked for a nicer CUV to do the job in. Hyundai has put together a perfectly beautiful cabin, with a nice combination of stylish appointments, easy-to-use technology, and comfortable seating all around (though we never got anyone into the smallish third row). Mom and little sisters were especially fond of the lighted Veracruz nameplate on the sills. I have a small complaint with the placement of the e-brake pedal, as I kept accidentally stepping on it when getting settled to drive, and the slow-moving power tailgate. Everything else was rock solid.

Steven J. Ewing
Production Assistant

I would drive the Veracruz over a lot of other options. A fully loaded Ford Edge will ring in at about the same price, but the Hyundai has three rows of seats, better fit-and-finish throughout the interior, and is much more unique. Living in Southeast Michigan, I see at least ten Edges every day, whereas spotting a Veracruz is a rare occurrence. I like crossovers as an alternative to minivans or sport-utility vehicles, and the Hyundai Veracruz really fits the bill for everything I would look for as a consumer.

2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ LIMITED AWD

Engine: V-6, 3.8 liters, 24v
Output: 260 hp/257 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Weight: 4431 lb
Fuel Economy, city/hwy: 15/22 mpg

Base price: $35,750

Navigation package: $1750
Carpeted floor mats: $125

Destination: $695
Price as tested: $38,320