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Midsize SUV; Built in South Korea
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $12,300 – $31,000*


2008 Hyundai Veracruz


2008 Hyundai Veracruz


2008 Hyundai Veracruz

Pros:
  • Cargo room
  • Climate controls
  • Interior materials
  • Quietness
  • Seat comfort
Cons:
  • Fuel economy (AWD)
  • Handling

Veracruz shines for its refined powertrain, hushed cabin, and upscale interior. With its focus on serene cruising, handling isn’t as responsive as most rivals’. Our Recommended nod goes to the competitively priced GLS and SE models. Limited versions could approach $38,000 when new, though the difference between models is likely to be less on the used-vehicle market.

Overview

Hyundai introduced its largest model for 2007, a seven-passenger midsize car-type (crossover) sport-utility vehicle. Veracruz was about 4 inches longer in wheelbase and 6 inches longer overall than Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV. A high-mounted rear spoiler was standard.

Veracruz came in base GLS, sporty SE, and upscale Limited trim levels. All were available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which lacked low-range gearing. The sole powertrain teamed a 260-horsepower V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Antilock braking and traction/antiskid control were standard. So, too, were front side airbags and curtain side airbags that covered all seating rows. In the third row, a two-person 50/50 split bench folded into the floor. The second row seated three, and also folded.

Leather upholstery with heated front seats and a sunroof were standard on the Limited, and optional for GLS and SE models. DVD entertainment was available in SE and Limited models. Power-adjustable pedals and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel were Limited-exclusive options. Dashboards displayed blue-backlit gauges and controls. Adding the Veracruz gave Hyundai a rival to the Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Saturn Outlook, and Toyota Highlander.

Yearly Updates

2008 Veracruz
Changes were few in the Veracruz’s second season. However, a number of features that had been optional became standard on the Limited edition, including power-adjustable pedals and a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel. A power tailgate was available for the SE model, and Hyundai now offered a navigation system.
2009 Veracruz
The 2009 Hyundai Veracruz model lineup was revised. The mid-level SE was discontinued, but many of its features were made available on the GLS as part of a new Preferred Package.
2010 Veracruz
Some former Limited-exclusive features were offered on the 2010 GLS, including a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel and a navigation system.
2011 Veracruz
The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is largely unchanged.
2012 Veracruz
The Hyundai Veracruz got a restyled grille and available heated second-row seats for 2012, its final model year.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

Only one powertrain has been offered: a 260-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. A Veracruz may have front-drive or all-wheel drive.

dohc V61
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/230
Engine HP 260
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 257
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 15/22

 15.9

1. Figures shown are for 2008 models. The Environmental Protection Agency changed its procedure for 2008 to yield more realistic estimates. Therefore, estimated mileage is lower than for prior years.

Road Test

Acceleration is a bit sluggish from a stop, but Veracruz has acceptable power once underway. The transmission is occasionally slow to downshift for passing and merging, but its manual shift gate helps. No difference in acceleration is noticeable between 2WD and AWD models. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 pounds.

Fuel economy earns no awards, but is roughly on par for this class. A test 2WD model averaged 15.5 mpg in mostly city driving. Test AWD models averaged 19.7 mpg in mostly highway driving. Veracruz uses regular-grade gasoline.

Occupants enjoy a comfortable and car-like ride on most road surfaces, but a few unwanted body motions are likely to occur over washboard and cracked pavement. There is little difference in ride quality between a GLS with its 17-inch tires and the Limited with 18s. Some test-drivers have felt the Limited did not feel as composed over bumps and cracks as top class rivals.

Veracruz’s suspension tuning favors ride quality over sharp handling response. Body lean is apparent even during moderate cornering, and steering lacks road feel. Still, Veracruz never feels unstable, even on slick roads. Brakes have adequate stopping control and pedal feel.

For hushed travel, Veracruz rivals many premium SUVs. The engine makes a classy growl while accelerating, but is nearly silent while cruising. Some wind rush and coarse-surface tire thrum are noticed, but hardly intrusive.

Easy-to-read gauges and large, handy controls have classy blue backlighting at night. A navigation system has been available on Limited models. Ample use of textured, soft-touch materials creates a very pleasing interior ambience.

Front headroom is good, but inadequate rearward seat travel will cramp tall occupants. The steering wheel tilts/telescopes on all models, but has been power-operated only on the Limited. Those models may also include power-adjustable pedals, allowing for fine-tuning of a comfortable driving position. Seats could use slightly more lateral support, but remain comfortable on long trips. Visibility is a bit pinched to the rear corners, but fine otherwise.

Second-row seats slide and recline, providing good headroom, legroom, and knee clearance, even with front seats fully aft. Access to the third row requires some twisting, but adults will fit if the second-row seat isn’t all the way back. Otherwise, the third-row seat is best left to youngsters.

Only grocery-bag space is available behind the third-row seat, but it folds flat in one motion to create a larger cargo hold. The second-row seat also folds easily, but isn’t quite flush with the floor. Interior storage includes a center-console compartment, two large console cupholders, two smaller bins, and door map pockets.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2008 Veracruz AWD Limited

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 6
60%
Cargo Room - 9
90%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 63

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
110.4 190.6 76.6 68.9
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
86.8 20.6 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.3 39.9 42.6 38.4
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2008 Veracruz 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Brakes
Description: The rear disc brakes may squeak unless revised pads are installed and mating surfaces are lubed with special greases. (2007-10)
Engine misfire
Description: The engine may hesitate of misfire, and the check engine light may illuminate, due to one or both front oxygen sensors failing. (2007)
Steering noise
Description: Whining power steering is frequently caused by a restricted filter screen in the bottom of the fluid reservoir. (2007-09)
Battery
Description: The battery may go dead if the hood is left open too long due to full power going to the BCM (body control module) for the anti-theft system while open. (2007)
None
Description: Hairline cracks may develop in a limited number of rear combination (taillight-backup light-turn signal) lenses; there was a campaign to replace them. (2007-08)
Software problems
Description: The 3.8L engine may be hard to start and may run rough in cold weather (and this may be more prevalent with some fuels) unless the ECM has been reflashed with current software. (2007-10)

Recall History

2007-08 Veracruz with trailer hitch
Description: Excessive heat at converter module of some wiring harnesses, due to high current leakage or short-circuit, could damage rear bumper area and possibly result in fire.
2007-08 Veracruz
Description: The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction and cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. This may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position.
2007-2008 Veracruz
Description: The clock spring contact assembly for driver’s airbag supplemental restraint system may be damaged with use over time, potentially preventing the airbag from deploying.
2008-2009 Veracruz
Description: Stop-lamp switch may malfunction, preventing brake lights from functioning and potentially interfering with cruise control and the push-button starter.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 16, 2014.
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