2010 Hyundai Veracruz

Neither flashy, nor powerful, nor particularly economical, the 2010 Hyundai Veracruz nevertheless offers reasonable value and workman-like performance. This four-door, seven-passenger midsize crossover SUV is available in two trims, the base GLS and upper-echelon Limited. Both can be delivered with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and both offer three rows of seating, 87 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down, and comfortable, if not capacious passenger room. Though a few improvements and additions have been made to standard features and options packages, the 2010 Veracruz is essentially unchanged from ‘09.

Both the 2010 Veracruz trims feature a 3.8-liter variable-valve-timed (VVT) V6 that combines with a six-speed auto-manual transmission for 260 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque. These horses will haul 3,500 pounds of trailer, when the available towing package is selected, and the FWD versions are rated at 16/23 mpg the AWD at 15/22.

For 2010, the Hyundai Veracruz GLS offers 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, front bucket seats, third-row seating, premium cloth upholstery, power windows, door locks, and heated outside mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, front and rear air conditioning, simulated wood trim, a USB connection, and a six-speaker, 172-watt audio system with a single-CD player and satellite radio. The Limited adds such standard goodies as 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated, power-adjustable front seats, a power sunroof, power liftgate, universal remote garage-door opener, programmable driver’s memory settings for seats, mirrors, and steering wheel, and a 314-watt, six-CD surround-sound system with eight Infinity speakers.

Options for the GLS include 18-inch alloy wheels, a trailer towing package, step rails, Bluetooth hands-free communications, and the Premium Package featuring, among other things, DVD navigation, a 605-watt Infinity audio system with 10 speakers, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, foglights, leather seating, a power liftgate, and a power-tilting sunroof. The Limited, curiously, offers either an available rear-seat DVD entertainment system or the DVD navigation package, but not both together.

Safety-wise, the 2010 Veracruz comes with standard four-wheel disc ABS, traction and stability control, dual front side-mounted airbags, rear head curtain airbags for all three rows, and side-impact door beams. Front fog/driving lights, dusk-sensing headlights, parking sensors, and a remote anti-theft alarm system are standard with the Limited trims and optional on the GLS.

Downsides of the 2009 Veracruz, as reported by owners, include lackluster gas mileage, a somewhat noisy ride, staid styling, and cramped third-row seating. Drawing praise from ’09 Veracruz owners are its peppy acceleration, better-than-adequate handling characteristics, numerous standard safety, comfort, and convenience features, quality construction, and just plain value.

By Eric Tallberg