2008 Hyundai Veracruz: Cheap, But In A Good Way

10% really doesn't make that much difference. I wouldn't think twice about going for the Enclave.

With the Buick, you also buy bigger 3rd row seats, and better mpg.
And avoidance of the glowing neon blue electric district ambience.

And a lazy automatic.. and taxed engine.. with steering issues, transmission issues.. (bigger issues than the A/C/Horn Fluke) and with options, the Enclave gets ridiculous.

The Enclave is a luxo crossover. its obvious why its prices higher. The Veracruz is a great first attempt. It will look up to the upcoming Genesis for the real treatment in refinements. Blue lighting is a nice touch but sticks to hip and sports car. Lighting alone can separate it from the class. Keeps with Hyundai's overall goal.

I'm surprised there's only a 4k difference- Hyundai often undercuts by more (depending on the class, of course). The Tucson and Sonata, for example, are wayyy cheaper decked out than a comparable camry/accord/altima rav4/crv/rogue. Would think the Veracruz wouldn't have a problem putting away the Highlander, Enclave, et all.

"And a lazy automatic.. and taxed engine.. with steering issues, transmission issues.. (bigger issues than the A/C/Horn Fluke) and with options, the Enclave gets ridiculous."

Apparently you havent priced the RX350 or MDX. The MDX starts at $41k or so and is considerably smaller than the Enclave. The Buick is priced competitively for the market. The Buick looks better inside and out and has more power and room than the Hyundai. This is why it costs more.

No the Buick doesn't look better inside, it looks like the parts bin wonder it is. The MDX not only has a far superior drive, the interior is also better, so is the technology. The only thing the Enclave has is space, and you can get that in the outlook or the traverse. The MDX VS Enclave, when they're optioned out, they both get around the 47-48K, where is the Value in that? You know the competitive pricing it has?

Total MSRP : $36,695 For a Loaded Veracruz with Navi & AWD.

VS

Total MSRP : $44,055 For a CXL With Navi & AWD

Still don't see the value?

Total MSRP : $41,195 for A CX (navi, AWD) with considerably less equipment (cloth seats) than the fully loaded Veracruz.

"No the Buick doesn't look better inside, it looks like the parts bin wonder it is."

Point out the parts bin components aside from the steering wheel and heat unit. As usual you dont know what you're talking about. The center stack, gauges, air vents, center console, etc. are all unique to the vehicle. Each lamdbda CUV has a different dash layout and gauge cluster.

"Total MSRP : $41,195 for A CX (navi, AWD) with considerably less equipment (cloth seats) than the fully loaded Veracruz."

I didnt say the Buick was cheaper. What are you talking about? I said the Buick costs more because it looks more luxrious and its a Buick. Hyundai always competes on price. I didnt say the Enclave offered great value, I said its competitively priced for its class. You should also price the ML350, SRX and Q7 to see how luxury crossovers are priced these days. The Enclave gets better mileage than the MDX, has more space and looks better. A Hyundai NEVER represents the AVERAGE price of a vehicle in a particular segment. Hyundais are always cheaper which is the point of a Hyundai.

"The Enclave gets better mileage than the MDX, has more space and looks better."

I think cx7lover's point was that the Enclave and MDX are very similiar in price, even though the Acura MDX has a better interior and thinks it looks better outside. 1487, we all understand this is a blog, but is there ever a post where someone doesn't get annoyed by you or get in an argument with you ? Just relax about GM and their vehicles. Just because the MDX might be better ( which is subjective) doesn't mean you have to go defending GM. And I'm just waiting for your post towards me saying "I don't understand where you're coming from and this is why I'm right.."
(:

Cx7lover - you're coming across as a biased Acura lover. Some examples:

"No the Buick doesn't look better inside,"

Subjective - your personal opinion. I happen to think the Enclave's interior is much nicer than the MDX's

"it looks like the parts bin wonder it is. "

What parts bin? Give examples. The Enclave interior doesn't look anything like any other GM product - even its own platform-mates. At least the Enclave rides on a dedicated crossover platform. The MDX is a zooted up Honda Pilot, riding on an Accord car platform.

"The MDX not only has a far superior drive, the interior is also better,"

Again, subjective, and subjective. Your personal opinion.

" so is the technology. "

What technology? Give an example of "technology" found on the MDX that is not available on the Enclave. I think you've been listening to too many Acura commercials. The commercials say "Technology Advanced", and you think, wow, Acura has technology!

carfreak,

CX7 said the Enclave is overpriced. I said its not based on what it offers and the price of its competitors. I dont see whats controversial about that. In case you missed it CX7 is anti lambda and posts about how bad they are every chance he can. Most others disagree.

"1487, we all understand this is a blog, but is there ever a post where someone doesn't get annoyed by you or get in an argument with you ?"

There are plenty. Keep reading. My commentary regarding the Enclave is straightforward and has nothing to do with "defending GM" but that was a nice attempt to deflect attention away from the facts at hand. Just because the Enclave is more than the Hyundai doesnt means its way overpriced. That would be like saying every RWD luxury car on the market is overpriced now that the Genesis exists.

"I think cx7lover's point was that the Enclave and MDX are very similiar in price, even though the Acura MDX has a better interior and thinks it looks better outside."

Thats all your opinion. I think the MDX is odd looking on the outside and I am not a fan of its button crazy space ship interior design. And its fake wood is less convincing than the fake wood in the Buick. The Enclaves advantages in fuel economy and space however are not subjective.

CX7lover suffers from monomania with regards to the hazing the luster of the Enclave.

For the record, the MDX (as well as all newly designed Acura/Honda products) suffer from horrible interior designs. The center stack looks angry and not at all luxurious as if it has to intimitade you into thinking it's high tech. I won't even touch it's exterior styling or it's ridiculously short wheelbase. The vehicle has zero road presence and it overweight for it's size. It's SH-AWD only when the driver is applying liberal amounts of throttle and will go unnoticed in regular driving and it also drinks premium fuel. For '09 the Enclave closes the performance gap with 288hp/270lbs-ft out of a more advanced direct injected engine burning regular gas with better fuel economy. More space, style and efficiency. Enclave wins.

You all need to take your GM shades off because it really impends the way you all think.
Things that are the same with the Enclave, Acadia and Outlook
-Steering wheel, the same
-Headlamp controls, the same
-Window Switches, the same
-Gear shifter, gate, the same
-HVAC controls, the same
-NAVI, radio, the same
-Handles on the seats to access the third row, the same
- Grab Handles on the doors, the same
-Controls for the Second row, the same
-Gauge clusters, same base, different backlighting
-Cover for the storage bin above the center console storage, the same
-Heated seat switches, misc buttons, the same
-Carpet backing on the seats, the same
-Glove Box, the same
-There is more of what's the same, but really,
They're ALL sharing the parts bin, GM changes a few trim rings, adds in excessive amounts of chrome & wood and they can put a premium price tag on it.

Chavis10 suffers from GM lovin, all I've heard about is how his family has this GM, and how he wants the CTS because it's so much better than the Mazda3 he has. The Enclave will still be a slow, slow shifting porker with the DI-V6, it will never touch the MDX's V6 performance.

That's your Idea of luxury? That fugly and overused standard GM brick radio would send me flying out of the showroom, if I was considering an Enclave. GM made sure the only press released images of the Enclave we're with the Navi and that image is why, FUGLY and cheap looking.

The MDX offers WAY more stuff for your money, the Space argument shows why everything is getting bigger, OOomg! the Enclave is much bigger so they can charge more and it's better because of the fact that it's bigger.

1487, Defends GM on a regular basis. You said the price was competitive, it's not. And if we want to use you're reasoning on it's too big and spacious for the MDX, the SRX is no comparison nor is in in the same league (it really isn't but you mentioned it anyway).

Oh and the Veracruz's interior, BETTER than the Enclave, better design, materials and less use of fugly wood. The price just slaps the Enclave in it's bloated overpriced nose.

The Enclaves wood is so obviously fake, are you KIDDING me? It bends in such unnatural ways You would have to be blind to say that it looks anything close to real or real looking VS the MDX. The RR MPG for the Enclave also shows that it has no advantage. The Q7 blows the Enclave out of the water, the price tag is justified, to even compare a Buick to an Audi is just ridiculous Especially since the price gap isn't that big with a V6.

CX7,

You cant even get basic facst straight which is likely why no one takes you seriously. ALL of the lambdas have different gauge designs. How can you debate that fact? In case you missed it I said the radio and steering wheel is the same in all the lambdas. Same goes for climate controls. You are also including exterior bits when your original statement was that the Enclave had a GM parts bin INTERIOR. No one cares about shared door handles or carpet backing on the seats. Give me a break. Toyota used to use the same window switches on cars from the Corolla to Lexus models. This is common in the auto industry and if you dont want a vehicle that shares parts with other vehicles you are in trouble. Consumers care about differences in design and ALL FOUR lambdas have a unique interior design. Period.

"You said the price was competitive, it's not"

BAsed on what? You are making a claim that is totally contrary to the facts. Other luxury crossovers cost MORE than the Enclave and you are saying the Enclave is overpriced. That is the definition of counterintiutive. YOu have some kind of axe to grind with the lambdas but your criticisms make no sense.

The reason why I am saying the Enclave's size is significant is because the 3rd row is usable for people taller than 4'. Not so for the MDX and unlike the MDX the Enclave can haul 7 people AND luggage. WIth the 3rd row erect in the MDX luggage space is nonexistent.

For 2009 the Enclave gets better shift programming for the auto. So much for that complaint that you have been beating to death. Interestingly enough IL hasnt been complaining about that issue with their LT Enclave.

The Veracruz is a better value than any mid-full size SUV. It's a better value than the CX-9 too which you fail to acknowledge. Every Hyundia product is a better value than their competition and everyone knows that except you.

The MDX is a compromised vehicle. It's essentially a 5 passgner vehicle as you can use the 3rd row with adults and use the cargo space at the same time. The Enclave does not pretend to be a 5000 lbs sports car, that's the Acura's job. The Enclave is a quiet, smooth, luxurious full sized crossover than is a better family/ utility vehicle than other other car in the class. Perhaps you should go down and petition your local Buick dealership and keep people from buying the Enclave. Before gas prices rose, they couldn't keep them in stock so apparently you are the only one who has a problem with the vehicle.

Have you noticed Mazda's parts bin sharing? Of course you haven't because you spend every waking minute of your day studying Lambda forums. By the way, where's the telescopic steering wheel on your precious CX-7? How do all those "premium" brick hard black plastic panels feel? How's that real world fuel mileage on premium gas?

PS- I'll bet a 304hp 3900lbs CTS will return roughly the same MPG as my 3000lbs 156hp Mazda3. I'll be happy to sell it to you.

It IS overpriced, it's a gussied up Acadia/Outlook.
OOh! Extra wood and dual pane windows, yes, it's worth thousands more because of that!

Splitting hairs are we? The clusters are the same, and more so the same in the Acaida/Outlook, wow, they put tunnels over them! They're still the same and still have the same basic design, more cheapness and gussying up from GM

The Veracruz, compared to the Enclave, The Enclave is overpriced, it does one thing considerably better in the Enclave, it's more spacious, other than that, what else is there? Nothing. Can you bring luggage for everyone in the Enclave, no! The extra space behind the third row allows maybe an extra 2 duffel bags, it's not OMG space, it's a little bigger.

The MDX VS Enclave? Better drivetrain, better interior materials, better feature content. OK, it's not as big as the Enclave, so what! The Enclave is a big, softie, that is showing early reliability issues and it is nothing more than a Blinged out Acadia/Outlook. The price difference, is not even worth mentioning, they're both priced the same WHEN comparably equipped.

Q7? It's an Audi, end of story. The Enclave won't ever touch the level of refinement the Q7 has.

There isn't much three row competition for the Enclave, all the others are 2 Row crossovers.

reprogrammed shift logic? It's still a worthwhile complaint because it was already an issue with the Enclave when it was released, great that they "reprogrammed" it.

It still has steering issues, transmission issues, do I really need to break the links out again??????

Yes no one cares, but I wasn't talking about the interior, ANYWAY.
Comparing a Corolla to a Lexus is STUPID, the only point I was making is that the Enclave has nothing more over the Acadia/Outlook to what meets the eye. There isn't much of anything that objectively justifies it's price tag over the Acadia/Outlook.

Yes I mentioned the carpeting, got a problem with it, it looks CHEAP. So much for the Premium stuff you pay for in the Enclave VS the other GM crossovers. Oh right you're paying for extra sound damping and more ugly cheap wood/chrome.

CX7lover: People like the Enclave. People buy the Enclave. Nobody agrees with you. Get over it.

Enclave CX- $33,955- standard: six way power driver seat, variable effort power steering, HID headlights, power liftgate, heated mirrors w/ turn signal, tri-zone automatic climate control, autodimming mirror, Quiet Tuning, real wood steering wheel, and extra year of the bumper to bumper warranty.

Acadia SLE- $30,470- optional power driver seat, variable effort power steering- not available, HID lights- not available, power liftgate- not available, tri-zone climate control- optional with DVD pckg only, autodimming mirror- not available, Quiet Tuning- not available, real wood steering wheel- not available, 3 year warranty instead of 4.

Doesn't look like the Enclave is overpriced to me when you consider what the extra $3500 over a base Acadia gets you. You have to step up to the SLT (4SA) to get comparable equipment and it costs $35,410. The bottom line is that the Enclave and Acadia can't really be equally equipped for the same money and there's obviously a reason for that.

"It IS overpriced, it's a gussied up Acadia/Outlook.
OOh! Extra wood and dual pane windows, yes, it's worth thousands more because of that!"

ES350 is a "gussied up" camry. MKX is gussied up Edge. The RX350 is a gussied up last gen highlander. I could go on. What's your point? Platform sharing is very common. The MDX is based on a minivan which is based on the Accord.

"Splitting hairs are we? The clusters are the same, and more so the same in the Acaida/Outlook, wow, they put tunnels over them! They're still the same and still have the same basic design, more cheapness and gussying up from GM"

perhaps your definition of "same" is differen than mine. When the fonts, designs and backlighting is different I would say the gauge cluster in each vehicle is different. if you have photos that proves your point please put them on display. Its hard to believe anyone could be as consitently wrong as you are.

"Better drivetrain, better interior materials, better feature content."

What better feature content? Other than the fancy suspension the MDX doesnt offer features not found on the Enclave. better powertrain? the MDX uses a 5 speed auto and makes 12more hp than the Enclave while returning worst fuel economy in spite of having less curb weight. I would say the powertrains are a wash. BTW, the Enclave happily runs on regular unlike the MDX.

"It still has steering issues, transmission issues, do I really need to break the links out again??????"

Not really. In case you cant figure this out I will let you know that there are people complaining about every vehicles sold in the US today. A few angry people on a forum do not mean that a vehicle has massive quality problems. Why dont you survey the owner comments on Edmunds and see that they say? The Enclave is one of the highest rated luxury crossovers according to Edmunds consumer ratings. I looked through the comments before and few people mentioned quality problems. You are grasping for straws my friend. CR has already given the recommended label to the Outlook and Acadia so 1st year quality seems to be just fine.