2008 Hyundai Veracruz

Kathy Renwald

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

I thought driving the Hyundai Veracruz would be like putting on a fat suit, its chunky dimensions making for a lumbering, clumsy drive. How wrong I was. The Veracruz is sprightly, light on its feet and agile for a big CUV.

I tested the loaded-to-the-gills Veracruz Limited. For $46,595, Hyundai wants you to think of it as your home away from home.

The Limited comes with a full blotter of standard features. The ones that put it a peck above the lower echelon GLS include a rear-mounted DVD screen, power-adjustable pedals, LED taillights, proximity key (no need to press a key fob, just press a button on the handle) and a power rear tailgate.

The juiced-up tailgate is a pretty addictive feature. Press a button on the key as you clomp toward the car burdened with goods and it glides open to welcome your parcels. It's a big, heavy door and the power assist is sweet.

A 3.8 L V6 producing 260 horsepower moves the Veracruz with authority; it's all the power one wants in a seven-passenger hauler. A six-speed automatic transmission is oily smooth, and one can dabble in manual mode by using the Shiftronic. I used it in stop and go highway traffic and it was mildly effective.

Most remarkable is the way Hyundai has muffled engine noise – at idle you can't hear it. Under acceleration it's barely audible: in the cabin, it's like you're wearing a noise-cancelling headset.

Hyundai took aim at Lexus and pledged to make it quieter than the RX 350. The car maker uses extra carpeting, foam padding, a steel plate under the engine, custom hood insulation – everything short of a bag full of marshmallows to make the Veracruz a temple of calm.

The ride is gently compliant, and smooth as Mornay sauce on good pavement. After all, who really wants to get bruised riding in a vehicle modeled after a boutique hotel (Hyundai's description).

Steering is light without being limp; handling is surprisingly sharp for such a beefy wedge of metal. Best of all are the brakes: they're macho, hauling the car down from speed with military force.

Between the sheets of metal, the Veracruz really pampers the weary traveller. The seats range from private-club comfy to useful. The driver's seat with multi-power adjustments, saddle leather and sculpted contours could be out of Ralph Lauren's living room. Head restraints for driver and passengers are perfectly designed – one tug and they snug up to your head. An obedient steering wheel lifts out of the way when exiting the car.

All three rows of seating have roof-mounted side curtain airbags.

From the roomy back seats, passengers can fiddle with their own DVD screen, climate controls and reading lights.

Even the third-row set-up, usually the outpost for jockeys and pre-teens, can accommodate reasonably sized adults with a BMI not exceeding 25. And there are reading lights for them too.

There are more cubbyholes in the Veracruz than a rolltop desk, so the anti-clutter club can keep things stowed.

The centre console has a "cool" compartment – a place to keep your carrots crisp, I guess. Overhead, a funny convex mirror just aft of the sunglass bin can be deployed. I thought it was for spying on kids and pets in the back, but Hyundai calls it a "conversation mirror" so you can engage in witty repartee with the bleacher seats.

Like a candle burning in a farmhouse window, Hyundai capitalizes on our love for light by putting them everywhere. There are map lights, mood lights, dome lights, puddle lights, ignition lights and a scuff plate light emblazoned with VERACRUZ in gas flame blue. Take that Lexus!

Some say the exterior styling of the Veracruz is bland. Hyundai calls it organic.

I think it's deftly restrained, and far better looking than some of its homely competitors. The 18-inch rims help the side view.

It is curious that this overachieving CUV is missing some of the expected frills of the segment, such as Bluetooth capability, GPS and auxiliary audio inputs. You also have to hunt for the all-wheel-drive switch, which is hidden by the steering wheel.

And I found it curious that a cabin beeper bleats every time reverse is engaged, but I suppose it's a gentle reminder for the absent-minded. The beeper gets agitated if you're about to squish something, but there is no backup camera.

Both the Limited and the GLS versions of the Veracruz have on-demand all-wheel drive.

The vehicle will switch to AWD if it determines you need it, otherwise, it motors about in the more fuel-efficient two-wheel drive.

But the lock button will also allow you to put the vehicle into AWD at your choice. I averaged about 13.9 litres per 100 km in combined city-highway driving.

If you forgo some of the frills and AWD, the entry level Veracruz is still lavishly equipped for $35,995. All models get traction and stability control, and safety ratings are admirable.

It's fun to see Hyundai take cheeky aim at Lexus as it ladles on the luxury in the crossover category.

After a week patrolling in the Limited, I'd gladly spend more time in Veracruz control.

Freelance automotive reviewer Kathy Renwald can be reached through kathyrenwald.com

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