More Details on Hyundai Veracruz

Hyundai has spared few details on its upcoming flagship SUV, the Veracruz. Now, the automaker has launched the vehicle in Korea, and Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson confirmed the model hitting our shores will look much the same. The photos here are of the Korean model.

The automaker plans to launch the 2007 Veracruz at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

There aren't too many details available, as the Korean model has features specific to its market. Hyundai says the U.S. Veracruz will use the 3.8-liter V-6 found in the Azera sedan – where it makes 263 hp – and a six-speed automatic transmission. Seating for seven will come standard, as will a full complement of safety features: an electronic stability system, antilock brakes, side curtain airbags and more.

Johnson expects some overlap between Santa Fe and Veracruz buyers, as the redesigned Santa Fe SUV offers up to seven seats, too. What buyers get is a larger V-6 – 3.8 liters instead of 3.3 – and roomier dimensions. Hyundai says the Veracruz will be larger than the Honda Pilot, with which it competes, and offer more cargo room than the Mercedes GL450. Expect a starting price north of the Santa Fe, which costs from $21,000 to $28,000.

We've driven the Santa Fe, and it's reason enough to believe Hyundai SUVs are nearing Toyota and Honda quality. Whether the Veracruz can finally bridge the gap is a question we won't answer until next year.

More photos after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Comments

[ilya]

Looks cool, but I would still go with Honda Pilot.

Awesome design!

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN. TASTEFULLY MODERN INTERIOR SHINES ABOVE COMPETITION, HYUNDAI IS ON A ROLL.

[TracyDawson]

Hyundai is hoping to sell 85,000 Veracruzes each year mostly with a huge portion coming from the US car market. With the looks of it and not to mention the performance, Hyundai is almost assured of that.

[david jaesok lee]

looks cool but the car doesn't look as big as the Honda Pilot; can it really fit 7 people?

[Valerie]

Will it have navigation built in?

[David Marshall]

Is this going to be another Santa Fe? Poor selection?Dealers dont have what you want and are unwilling to trade to get autos,they only want to sell whats on the lot.Spending 30K and up I think I want the color I like...not whats been sitting on the lot 4 months.Maybe they will do better with this one,before shoppers move on to the competition.

[Happymantis]

I really love this design, but the center console looks like it was lifted from from a RX350, and I really hope Hyundai decides to put in a navigation system, because a lot of people don't buy Hyundais because of its lacks a navigation system.

[Kyle]

In reply to David's post:
You must not be shopping the right dealerships. Our dealership is willing locate any car we possiblely can, and we have gone as far as two states away to get it. We know that the purchase of a car is only the beginning of the automotive relationship. As for the Veracruz we are all excited about its release, and it should help to combat Toyota's and Honda's larger SUV's.

[Liger]

Hyundai has navigation systems available in its overseas vehicles, why do they not put them in the US cars? I am sure they would easily sell them, and capture more buyers.

[Mike B.]

Hyundai owners actually can have a navigation system installed by their dealer. It costs about $2,000. According to some sources, the Veracruz will be the first USDM Hyundai with a factory-installed nav system available at launch, and the company announced plans ealier this year to add Bluetooth and a factory nav system to the Santa Fe as options (XM Satellite Radio is now standard on the SF).

[pgator]

I test drove the Santa Fe and did not like how high/close I felt to the windshield and sun viser...unsettling. Everything else in the limited was super; the third row is much better than Highlander. I will wait for this Azera based SUV to see if the driver seat is not as high/close. I only fear that there will be new blind spots...always something???

[Leon Larocque]

I currently own a Santa Fe 2001 and was looking forward to the launch of the new 2007 model but I was very disappointed by the low towing capacity of the new model. I hope the veracruz will have some more significant towing capacity. Does anyone have any info on the towing capacity of the bigger veracruz?

[Jacquie]

I am looking to purchase a new 2007 Santa Fe. I currently have a 2003, and am really pleased. I am very excited to see when the new Veracruz will come available for purchase. If anyone has details let me know.

[Phil]

Typical of Hyundai, this vehicle looks a bit awkward but is a value play with good interior materials. But the absolute lack of originality
of design and my observations of the cheapness of Hyundai's sheetmetal quality mean that I'll
go with Saturn Outlook or Buick Enclave.

As anyone can see, GM sheetmetal lasts forever,(Except'97 to 2000 Malibu) which is why there's hardly anything from other brands left from the 70s or early 80's for customizers to work on. Even '99 Hyundais are in the junkyards already. When Hyundai aces that last category, look out!!

[Jacquie]

I was wondering if anyone had details on the release date and price of a 2007 Hyundai Veracruz... Let me know.

[arumage]

Quote: "Even '99 Hyundais are in the junkyards already. When Hyundai aces that last category, look out!!"

You can't really compare anything from even just 5 years ago to the Hyundai cars of today. Unfortunately, with GM in the 90's, they put alot more focus on sheetmetal thickness and less in quality of the interiors and engines (AKA may my 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme rot in hell). The Saturn Outlook is ugly IMHO (and isn't such a deal when you start adding options), and the Buick Enclave is probably going to start about $6-7k higher. All GM's Lambda units are very pricy when optioned out (Outlook can break $40k.

The Veracruz is slated to go on sale in March or April so pricing should be released pretty soon.

[meanubeanu]

The Hyudai Veracruz is absolutly going to be a big sucess in the car industry. The design is sleak, aerodynamic, and elagant. The opinion of it being compared to a Lexus RX 350 is yet to be proven, but I am positive buyers will be satisfied!

[marcel r elanjian]

saw at detroit auto show... great car .. prices will start at 30,000 and fully loaded at around 36,000... not sure if this includes nav which will be available in dash but may not be in the initial vehicle run

[matt]

o heck NO!!!!!!!

[arumage]

Actually, prices start at $27k with destination. Fully loaded, including AWD (nav not available), for just over $37k. This includes memory seats, proximity key, moonroof, rain sensing wipers, rear seat entertainment, etc. A fully loaded Acadia with the same exact options runs nearly $41k.

[Ryanstone]

I just test drove the Veracruz today. It is a whole different animal than the SUV's with which it goes up against. My father has a 05 honda pilot which I have driven a lot, and the hyundai is such a better car in almost every way. I'm a honda fan, but I have to admit, this car has far better handling, acceleration, materials, and just overall quality. The Six gears really help to get this suv moving fast. The steering is so crisp, and the suspension isn't sloppy like most suvs. Probably because this is a crossover vehicle. Anyway, wish I could buy one right now, but have to wait a couple of years.

[Jared]

Purchased one last week. Great car. We crossshopped the CX-9 and Pilot. Much better than the Pilot, and on par with the CX-9. CX-9 is sportier, Verzcruz with more isolated and luxurious ride. CX-9 and Veracruz share the same Aisin 6-speed, so it is a wash. Purchased a Fully loaded Blue FWD SE, the 605 watt Logic 7 stereo is phenomenal. Got the vehicle for 300 over invoice!

[Clara Moorman]

Got my Veracruz last month and love it. Would have gotten the Lexus, but the nearest dealership is in Charleston, about 90 minutes from Myrtle beach. I believe in dealer service, so that was a bit obstacle. I don't think I will look back with regret. This is my first foray in Hyundai and if my Veracruz is any indicator of the future efforts and goals of this company, it won't be my last. And the dealership did locate the car I wanted, although they did try to sell what they had on hand. That just makes sense.