The sleek design, luxurious interior and smooth finish of the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz belies a full size SUV from a much higher price range. When you add expert handling and acceptable performance, you have a vehicle that is well-worth adding to your test-drive list.
Key Features
The seven-passenger capacity is a major plus for the Veracruz, as is the V6 engine that offers smooth acceleration and plenty of power. The availability of the power liftgate is welcome, as is the proximity key that senses the remote, unlocks, and starts the vehicle – without you having to touch your remote. The 18-inch wheels integrated turn signals on the side mirrors and the puddle lights all add to the overall luxury of the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz.
Changes for 2012
There were several changes applied for the 2012 model year, including newly designed wheel options, heated second row seating and a new grille. The Limited Edition trim has an available Alpine navigation option that includes a 7-inch touch screen, 10 speakers and an Infinity 605-watt amp.
What We Like
The independent four-wheel suspension and one-piece construction deliver a smooth and comfortable ride on smooth highways and rough roads. The 2012 Hyundai Veracruz also has a tighter turning radius than most other SUVs, which vastly improves the maneuverability. We also love the luxurious interior, that, while not completely copied from Lexus, is very similar and makes this SUV seem as if it should be much higher priced than it is.
What Concerns Us
While this is a seven-passenger SUV, be forewarned that even two adults will not be comfortable in the third row – especially for long trips. The Veracruz is also listed as having 8608 cubic feet of space for cargo. However, that’s only if you fold both the second and third row seats down. If you have to use all available seating, don’t plan on taking much else with you.
Available Models
The 2012 Hyundai Veracruz is available as all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, and includes a 3.8-liter V6 that delivers:
- 260 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
- 257 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
- City/highway fuel economy: 16/21 mpg (AWD), 17/22 mpg (FWD)
Major Recalls
There has been one major recall issued for the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. Some vehicles could experience oil leaking from the front cylinder valve cover and onto the alternator. If this happens, it could cause damage to the alternator that could result in lost power while driving.
Common Issues
There are a few complaints that have been made about this vehicle. They include issues with headlights going off when using the turn signal, and abnormal noises from under the rear of the vehicle.
