by Ryan Rees

Created on: June 10, 2008

Toyota Better Keep an Eye on Hyundai

Toyota may be kicking GM's butt in global sales numbers early this year, but the Japanese manufacturer needs to keep an eye on its own backside for several Korean competitors.
Introduced last year, the Hyundai Veracruz is a worthy competitor in the mid-size SUV category. The seven-passenger SUV comes very well loaded in its base trim level, but the top-of-the-line Limited model can hold its own with the Lexus RX 350 and the Acura MDX, both considered leaders in the field.

We recently tested a Limited edition with all-wheel drive that was priced at $38,270, almost $10,000 less than a similarly-equipped RX 350. The only option package was the $1,500 rear entertainment center that included the obligatory DVD player/screen and an upgraded Infinity audio system. That final price did include $125 for floor mats and $205 for the roof rack rails.
A base model without some of the frills starts around $26,000, however.
Otherwise, everything you would expect was included such as electronic traction control, two-tone leather seating and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power-adjusted pedals, power tailgate and a sunroof.
New this year, but not included in our test model, is Hyundai's first navigation system, which comes with a premium package option.
The Veracruz is the biggest and most expensive vehicle Hyundai has ever offered in the U.S. and may be one of it's the best.
After a week of driving the Veracruz, we both were amazed by the agility, power, convenience features and utility of the SUV.
A 3.8-liter V6 with 260 horsepower supplied the giddy up with fuel mileage figures of 15 in the cit and 22 on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. A front-wheel drive version is available.
The Veracruz received five-star approval in government testing in both frontal and side crash tests. Combined with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty that includes five years of unlimited mileage for roadside assistant, the Hyundai warranty is among the industry's best.
So, what's not to like? Actually not much. The exterior styling may be a little clunky but the spacious and well-appointed interior makes you forget about that in a hurry.
The rear seats are easily accessible and fold flat, along with the third-row seats for 86.8 cubic feet of available cargo space. With the second row seats upright, there's still 40 cubic feet of space available. That's slightly less than in the Lexus or Acura.
After an extended trial

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