Hyundai chose the 2007 Detroit Auto Show to debut its new large SUV, the Veracruz. Think of the Veracruz as a Sante Fe that has been inflated to Honda Pilot size and gained a standard third-row in the process. While Hyundai says it used "fluid and organic forms to create a refined, and luxurious exterior appearance," we'd say designers put a Lexus RX350, a Nissan Murano, and a Mazda CX-9 in a blender and pulsed for two minutes until lumpy.
Targeting premium brands like Lexus isn't all bad, however. The Veracruz has many of the features that one would find in a Lexus or Mercedes SUV; features like rear park assist, keyless go, optional big shiny wheels, and a powerful Infinity sound system. Under the hood is a 3.8-liter V-6 with 250 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic, both sourced from the full-size Azera sedan. In the name of safety, stability control and side curtain airbags covering all three rows are standard. The Veracruz went on sale this spring as a 2007 model.