2009 Hyundai Veracruz

It’s fall, and that means it’s SUV testing season in the great Northwest. Last week we looked at the Suzuki XL7 and this week we’ve got another Asian manufacturer headed upscale in the family SUV market.

The Hyundai Veracruz is a V6-powered, three-row, 7 passenger crossover SUV. Like most of its asian competition, it’s reasonably priced ¬ especially when you consider how much you get for your money. Pricing has not yet been announced for the 2009 model, but the 2008 Veracruz ranged from the mid-27,000 base model to the top of the line Limited at $36,000. No SUV maker is raising prices much this year, especially not on larger models, so you can expect the 2009 Veracruz to be about the same price.

First and foremost, the Veracruz is a family wagon. Everything about this CUV is optimized for family transport, right down to the little fisheye mirror you can flip down to get a view of everything going on in the back seat. The Veracuz comes with full side curtain airbag protection right back to the third row, active front head restraints, dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus the obligatory child safety seat mounts.

The 3.8-liter engine in the Veracruz gets a middling 15/22 MPG. In exchange, you get 260 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. The Veracruz comes with a 6-speed electronic automatic transmission, which uses the available power to its best advantage. Driving the Veracruz is a solid experience. There’s enough power to go, plenty of brakes to stop you, and the CUV corners confidently at reasonable family speeds. Of course, it’s got stability control, tire pressure monitors and anti-lock brakes.

There are two trim levels to choose from for 2009 - GLS and Limited.

The Veracruz GLS comes everything you expect in a family SUV. It’s got a nice stereo with XM (soon to be Sirius) satellite radio, air conditioning with zone controls, approach lighting from the side mirrors, remote keyless entry, and power everything,

The Veracruz GLS Preferred Equipment Package adds a power tilt and slide glass sunroof, heated front seats, beeping backup radar, a power driver seat, roof rack side rails, a 150 watt 110-volt power outlet, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, automatic headlights, fog lights and temperature controlled console storage,

The optional Premium Package includes the Preferred Package and adds leather seating surfaces, power liftgate, auto dimming interior mirror with Homelink garage door opening controls and 18-inch wheels and tires.

The Veracruz Limited is the serious upscale model. The Limited edition includes all of the equipment found on the GLS Premium Package and adds power front passenger seat, automatic temperature control, a 315-watt Infinity audio system with CD changer, power tailgate, chrome door handles and brushed metal door sill scuff plates, power-adjustable pedals, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, memory settings for the power driver seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel, blue backlit front sill scuff plates, a proximity key and rain-sensing wipers.

You can also get your Veracruz outfitted with an optional LG navigation system, which also nets you a 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 surround sound audio system. Other family-friendly options include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with an eight-inch LCD monitor and an Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 Logic 7 surround sound audio package.

The bottom line on the Veracruz is that if you're shopping for an upscale CUV for your growing family, you should take a serious look at the Veracruz. You'll find it competes with the European marques in quality and luxury at a much more attractive price.

Written by Jeff Zurschmeide of northwestautoreview.com