2008 Hyundai Veracruz Review

Like most Hyundai models, the Veracruz offers a lot of features for the money. The Washington Post beamed about the wealth of standard equipment on the Veracruz, saying that it “has more standard equipment — including some that is usually optional, such as third-row seating — than the RX350.”

Kelley Blue Book pointed out the optional power liftgate as one of the Veracruz’s most appreciated features, along with the Proximity Key remote-sensing feature (standard on the Limited) that automatically locks and unlocks the vehicle as you walk toward or away from the vehicle, while Autoblog honed in on the cooling box, which uses ducted cooled air from the air conditioning system. “No more melted chocolate bars for the kiddies,” Popular Mechanics noted, “and the perforated leather seats keep mommies and daddies cool, too."

Other noteworthy features on the Limited include rain-sensing wipers (standard on this edition), an available 605-watt audio system, backseat DVD entertainment, and a 115-volt AC power outlet. Several reviewers noted the lack of an available navigation system on the Veracruz, but for 2008 an LG-brand system is now available.

The more modestly equipped GLS—which still has an extensive list of standard features—has a much more attractive $28,600 base price, but all the reviews we scoured were of high-end Limited models. Popular Mechanics gave a nod to the lower-priced models, saying that most of the model’s “goodness” is included on there, too, so “you can skip some features and still have one of the best seven-passenger crossovers on the market.”

Though nearly all reviewers were excited about the features list, seating and cargo space proved controversial. Like several other reviewers, MyRide.com complimented the wide bolstering and, including the padded armrests alongside, said that the seats “made for a downright comfy spot even as the miles piled on.” The same reviewer said that there was plenty of foot- and headroom in the second-row seat but criticized it as flat and low and said that the sloped roofline and wheel well hurt access to the third row, which echoed the comments in several other reviews. Kelley Blue Book had kinder, but similar words, saying, “The third-row seat is about as accommodating as others in the category—best for kids, doable for adults,” but Autoblog had a different perspective, saying, “rear door openings are large and access to the third row is fairly easy.”

Nearly all the reviews pointed out the lack of cargo space when the third-row seat is in use—an issue with many three-row, mid-size SUVs. “Traveling with a car full of people and their luggage may be rather tight, as cargo room behind the third-row seat is under seven cubic feet,” said Kelley Blue Book, which it said is significantly less than either the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot.