2009 Hyundai Veracruz Review
The Veracruz is one of the largest Hyundai SUV crossovers on the market and comes with subtle styling, ample interior room and generally good handling ability. The 2009 Veracruz achieves the same smooth ride as a person would expect in more luxurious models such as the Mercedes-Benz ML and it delivers that sense of luxury which a larger vehicle often lacks.
As with all SUV models there is room for improvement in the fuel economy department and the 2009 Veracruz is no exception. While the overall fuel economy on the road is decent for its range and it is superior to something like the Infiniti QX4, it will never win an award for being an economic car. However, sometimes an SUV is more practical than a smaller, more economic model and combined with the power, the handling ability and the high quality interior, the 2009 Hyundai Veracruz offers a taste of luxury at a relatively modest price.
The more sensible price tag and high safety associated with the Veracruz will make it appealing to families on modest incomes, but it won't necessarily appeal to those who are conscious about long term costs such as fuel economy.
The Veracruz is built on the Santa Fe platform and is designed as a passenger car with three rows able to seat up to seven passengers. However, the third row may not be suitable to adult passengers, but it still provides ample room for children. The disappointing thing about space is when all seats are up there is only 6.5 cubic feet of cargo space - so not much room for anything other than some groceries. Obviously, the space increases when the seats are put down and this can increase cargo space up to 85 cubic feet when both passenger rows are folded down.
The 3.8-liter V-6 engine provides ample power for an SUV, but due to its overall weight the Veracruz may feel sluggish compared to other similar powered vehicles. There are also only two trims available in either front or all-wheel drive. There is the base GLS and Limited trim which simplifies the selection process but neither offers much improvement in terms of sportier handling when it comes to cornering. The GLS comes with 17-inch wheels while the Limited comes with 18-inch wheels.
With rapid depreciation happening on any new car model it is always wise to choose practical options rather than any excessive option that adds nothing to the resale value. The Veracruz and most Hyundai vehicles have a poor resale value and therefore adding expensive options is not the most prudent thing to do unless the plan is to own the vehicle until it needs to be scrapped.
In terms of safety, the 2009 Hyundai Veracruz picks up where the 2008 model left off and it still achieves very high safety ratings. However, with poor resale value and average fuel efficiency against it, the 2009 Veracruz may pick up some more fans but is unlikely to make significant impact on its competitors.
