08 Hyundai VeraCruz  By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net I recently had a new Hyundai VeraCruz to test drive.  Hyundai is stretching to advance beyond its low-cost vehicle roots and the VeraCruz certainly helps in that direction.  This vehicle is a mid-sized premium SUV.  It is positioned to challenge the Nissan Murano and the Lexus RX 350.

I first saw the new VeraCruz om 2007 on an introductory drive around Nashville, Tennessee.  I was impressed then with the handling and comfortable feel of the vehicle on the road, the touches of luxury, and the well-designed interior.  But now, after a week-long test-drive, I am more impressed than before.   The list of standard features is quite lengthy.  My test model was called Black Diamond.  I am not sure why the fancy name because it just looked plain dark black to me.

The Hyundai VeraCruz is powered by a 3.8 liter V6 engine with 260 horsepower.  This is not a little machine driving a large body.  It has a six speed automatic transmission that comes in either All-Wheel Drive or the standard front wheel drive.   This is not a little car, but it can move easily through traffic, whether on the freeway, a back-country road, on through thick traffic in the city.   I never felt any body roll when taking curves.  It is built on the popular Santa Fe platform, which has been stretched to provide a larger interior area.

This is a listed as a seven passenger vehicle, which is becoming more popular as consumers understand all the advantages and configurations.  The second row seats slide forward rather easily, allowing adequate access to the third row area.  Most of the time, though, the third row seats will be folded flat to provide a very large cargo space in the back.  It’s just nice to have that capability for those special occasions to take a bunch of folks in one vehicle rather than split up and having to deal with two for parking and such.  I tried out the third row and it has enough space and room for average size adults.  Long trips might somewhat of a problem for large size adults.
 
Standard amenities include a 115 volt power outlet, memory settings for the driver's seat, power adjustable pedals, powered tailgate, automatic dim rearview mirror, power tilt and slide sunroof, and electronic stability control.  The only optional add-on my test model was the Navigation package and carpeted floor mats.

 Hyundai has added a lot of material to absorb road noise and make the interior cabin as quiet as possible.  This is also reflective of the competitive, more up-scale vehicles.  The ride is very quiet, even on rough road surfaces.  The Hyundai engineers even added a steel plate beneath the engine and put in four layers of carpet padding.  Mix all that with the woodgrain dash, the leather seats,  and an abundance of luxury conveniences, many passengers instantly compare themselves to being in a Lexus or other premium up-scale vehicle.  This was obviously the intent of Hyundai and it works.

This is not a low-priced vehicle.  MSRP was $35,750 and with the few add-ons and shipping charges, the bottom sticker price came to $38,320.  But again, the list of standard items that make this a premium-level vehicle is quite extensive.   Check the new VeraCruz out yourself at a Hyundai dealership.