The big question: Is this Hyundai Veracruz as "nice" as the Lexus RX 350 upon which it was benchmarked? My initial (apprehensive) impressions may be found in this first drive, but some more time behind the wheel of our new 2008 Hyundai Veracruz has provided mixed results.
I'm not particularly fond of the ride. Over smooth pavement, the ride is quiet and, well, smooth...
Presented with seams or recently created potholes, the Veracruz gets all stiff-legged and boomy. The ride remains within tolerable levels, but the steering shudders slightly and the sound the suspension transmits into the cabin reminds me that I'm not in a Lexus.
Also, I've noticed the air-con pump makes a groaning sound that varies with the speed of the engine. The whirrrrRRRRRRrrrr is especially evident at parking lot speeds where there's little else to be heard, and disappears when the A/C is shut off. The engine is so quiet that it's sometimes difficult to tell if it's running which makes the groan so noticeable. I popped the hood to see if the serpentine belt was loose, but the compressor is buried so deep that I couldn't see if the belt was slipping. Next time it goes in for service, we'll make sure the system is not mal-adjusted.
Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 3,684 miles
Categories: 2008 Hyundai Veracruz SE AWD
dragonflight says:
08:13 AM, 01/28/08
Lucky Edmunds editors, having weather to need AC.
And, here in Chicago, I thought it was a warm day because I could still feel my hands when I got inside...
cartester16 says:
08:47 AM, 01/28/08
If you guys are going to constantly compare this to the Lexus, why didn't you buy the top trim with all the options that would make it a truer feature to feature comparison? I think it's more comparable to the hundred other CUV's in tour fleet, not the Lexus/BMW/MB/LR variety...
sabastian says:
10:30 AM, 01/28/08
cartester16 - Lexus vehicles are not simply known for having lots of fun toys to play with. They are also known for impeccable refinement in almost every aspect. A smooth engine, silent HVAC system, and compliant ride are all qualities that consumers expect in a Lexus. If Hyundai plans on chasing the big L, they not only need to provide the driver with loads of equipment, but they also need to ensure that their levels of refinement are up Lexus standards. Having said that, however, I agree with you that this car is more comparable to the other CUV's in the LT fleet. Heck, they're all even the same color.
cartester16 says:
10:43 AM, 01/28/08
sabastian, I didn't mean just a toy comparison, but higher trim levels sometimes come with more sound deadening measures as base models, etc. (But looking at my post, that's pretty much what I wrote!!) I don't think Hyundai is realistically "chasing" Lexus, but they use the comparisons to highlight the "value quotient" in their vehicles. I personally don't like Lexus vehicles just because they ARE too "refined" and aren't much more exciting than my refrigerator. If I were a car company, I wouldn't want to emulate them, except maybe from a quality standpoint, and frankly, I think that's way overblown. I know people with Lexus's who've had way more problems than I've ever had with my BMW or MB, or my previous VW Golf or Dodge Minivan for that matter!
That all being said, I'd have that compressor looked into, as that kind of noise is probably not normal.
sabastian says:
11:09 AM, 01/28/08
"I personally don't like Lexus vehicles just because they ARE too "refined" and aren't much more exciting than my refrigerator."
Amen.
jriz says:
11:36 AM, 01/28/08
What about those refrigerators with TV screens and internet and flavored ice cube makers and 87 teraquad positronic brains embedded within? Those are pretty exciting.
jr1m90 says:
01:12 PM, 01/28/08
Why do they have 2 different buttons for controlling air recirculation? I've never seen that before, and it makes you wonder why they decided to change something just because they could? In every other car with manual HVAC controls, the little light above the recirculation button means 'recirculation on'. Done, that's it, a nice standard throughout the industry. Now, you have to either remember which button is recirculate and which one is fresh air, or look towards the bottom of the center stack to read the pictogram. The fewer buttons, the better, IMHO.