The Hyundai Veracruz is a full-size family seven-seater SUV that was in production between 2006 and 2016 when it was replaced with the Hyundai Palisade. The Veracruz is not necessarily the most interesting SUV out there because it does not do anything particularly special, but the internet is brimming with people saying that the Veracruz is one of the best cars they ever owned. So, is Hyundai Veracruz a good car?
Yes, the Hyundai Veracruz is a good car because it gets powerful engines, lots of space, and is a really reliable car. Used prices are now really affordable which makes this 7-seater SUV a bargain for those who want a semi-modern car, but are tight on the budget.
Design-wise, the Veracruz is in no shape a good-looking car, but it is also not going to offend anyone. The interior is really high quality, so much so that it can rival cars from more premium brands. Reliability is also a really important reason why the Veracruz is so popular. Sure, there are some common issues, but none of them are truly serious.
2nd hand prices are now incredibly affordable which means that there aren’t too many other SUVs at this price bracket. Practicality is excellent because the Veracruz is a large 7-seater SUV with great visibility and acres of storage space. It is also incredibly easy to get in and out of the Veracruz thanks to its high ground clearance.
Hyundai Veracruz – The powertrain
The Hyundai Veracruz comes with two different engine options, one is diesel and the other is gasoline. The gasoline engine measures 3.8L in displacement and is a 6-cylinder engine. It pushes out 260hp and 256lb-ft of torque and comes with FWD as standard. AWD was available as an option on all models and trims.
The diesel engine is a 3.0L V6 with 240hp and an impressive 331lb-ft of torque. This engine also came with FWD as standard, but AWD was available as an option. Efficiency isn’t really what these full-size SUVs are known for which means that you should expect around 20MPG at best. All versions come with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Hyundai Veracruz – Design and chassis
In my opinion, the biggest problem the Veracruz faces is the exterior design as it does not look exciting at all. There really isn’t anything on the Veracruz that screams “design” and just leaves you asking for more. Modern-day Hyundai large SUVs such as the Santa Fe and the Palisade look a billion times better because they actually have a solid design identity.
The interior is more or less the same from a design perspective, but no one can deny that the materials used inside the Veracruz are second to none. Suspension and chassis tuning is focused on comfort and ease of use which means that the Veracruz feels a bit boring behind the wheel, but it also feels safe and well controlled.
Hyundai Veracruz – Reliability and common issues
Reliability-wise, the Veracruz is really good. Most long-term Veracruz owners will tell you that the car is incredibly reliable and able to withstand years of continuous use without needing major overhauls. The V6 engine does cost a bit more to maintain and replacement parts are a bit more expensive as opposed to more regular 3 and 4-cylinder Hyundai engines.
The most common Hyundai Veracruz issues include problems with the engine, the transmission, the O2 sensor, the electricals, and various equipment pieces. If you take proper care of the Veracruz, there is no reason why it shouldn’t last you decades on end.
Hyundai Veracruz – Value and practicality
You can now get a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz for as little as $4,000 – $5,000 which is an absolute bargain. The car has depreciated so much that it is now as expensive as a mid-spec trash can. The issue with most “premium” cars that depreciate is that the entry price becomes low, but maintenance costs still remain sky high. This is not the case with the Veracruz because it is still a fairly cheap SUV to run.
Practicality is also excellent because you get seven seats with loads of space for the two front rows. Rear seats are only reserved for children, but that has always been the case with seven-seater SUVs. The trunk space is also really big which means that you can pack a lot of stuff into the Veracruz and still have room to spare, especially if you lower down the third row of seats.
FAQ Section
Why did Hyundai stop making the Veracruz?
The Veracruz simply came to the end of its lifeline and it was time to replace it with something newer and more in line with other full-size SUVs. This is where the Hyundai Palisade came in and changed the Hyundai full-size SUV offering completely. The Palisade looks a lot more determined and is as such, a much more interesting car to own.
Hyundai also dropped the Veracruz because of the engines which weren’t able to meet all the efficiency standards in Europe. All in all, Hyundai knew that it was time for them to offer something newer, more interesting, and more in line with the rest of the industry.
Is Hyundai Veracruz a good used car?
The Hyundai Veracruz is a great used car as it offers incredible value. If you are after a seven-seater reliable SUV that does not break the bank, there really aren’t many other choices that even come close to the Hyundai Veracruz.
On the other hand, if you are used to driving premium full-size boxy SUVs, you are probably not going to like the Veracruz. The worst aspect of the Veracruz is the fact that it does not do anything all that particularly special.
How long should a Hyundai Veracruz last?
If you do all your regular maintenance and you take proper care of the Veracruz, there is absolutely no reason why it shouldn’t last at least 250k miles without needing any major overhauls. Some owners are proud to say that they accumulated more than 300k miles on their Veracruz SUVs without spending too much money on maintenance.
The Veracruz truly is a quality product that should be able to survive the test of time.
