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I promise to let you know as soon as I actually have the vehicle. I'm sure all the little pros and cons will come out then. It's so easy to overlook stuff (for me) on a test drive . . .like how is it really when you go to park it in a small parking lot? Or do the groceries actually fit behind that third seat? Or does your back ache after an hour behind the wheel?
Stay tuned!
I'll probably test drive the VC soon anyway, but I was hoping it was bigger in back.
Otherwise, the VC looked like a winner!
Dave
It's ok for my CX-9 test drive.
Is it a normal thing for a test drive? Living in NJ.
I didn't have any hills on my dealer's route, but there was interstate travel and lots of sharp turns. I thought acceleration was more than adequate. Given that the CX-9 is similar in weight and horsepower/torque and that they use a very, very similar transmission by Aisin, hill climbing experiences shouldn't be all that dissimilar. I would actually think the extra 8 lbs of torque would make it a bit better.
I have a test route I like to take in my area. Almost every dealer is fine with my using that route, and in fact some sales reps actually encourage me to take that roune, as it includes some rather lumpy backroads. I drove a Lancer the other day, and the sales rep urged me to floor it on that road to see what it would do. Those are the kinds of sales reps, and dealers, I prefer to give my business to.
I'm 26 years old, and many dealers don't take you as seriously when looking at $30k plus vehicles, especially when you aren't buying right away.
I just got back from peeking inside a lone VC SE I spotted on a dealer lot. I agree with rossdm's comment about the lack of space in the rear which is a bit disappointing. It's that *%@ sloping hatch. The 3rd row seats were down so I expected more space, but it was not very big. Since I was driving down a road with every dealership you can imagine, I decided to stop at the Mazda dealer to look closely at the CX-9 for comparison which is shorter and also tight behind the 2nd and 3rd how (all the dealerships were closed). Parked nearby was a Volvo XC-70. The room in the rear lengthwise was comparable as was the new Audi Q7 parked next door. Even though the width and depth are similar, the Audi and Volvo looked more roomy and I think that's because both have hatches that are less sloped. I wish I had time to run over to compare the VC to the Lexus which Hyundai designers were unashamedly inspired by.
I was also surprised that the VC was not dramatically larger than the Santa Fe. What is nice is that the vent area in the front bumper is not nearly as large as it appears in pictures. The seating was cloth which was nothing special. I like the styline of the CX-9's interior, but I can't really compare until I see a VC limited.
Another 3-5 inches and less dramatic sloping would have been more ideal. I know CUVs are not meant to be compared with minivans, so I was prepared for that, but I was still underwhelmed. However, I still think it combines the best value compared to the other new CUV's. I'm looking forward to test driving. I'm going to wait until all the hoopla dies down (as well as the price).
I have an older model (1999)Dodge Durango now which is definitely bigger, but you know what? I still can't carry 7 people AND a ton of anything else. It's not big enough. But it is big enough to be a pain to park and maneuver. Plus it drives like a truck which I'm a bit sick of.
I think if you want the ability to handle lots of people and cargo too - - you need to think mini van or very large SUV. And you definitely need to think more $$$. Way more. Of the crossovers, the Acadia probably can hold the most because it is built more like an SUV. It's also considerably higher priced.
I came down to the CX-9 versus the Veracruz. The CX-9 is considerably longer. It does allow you to move the second row into three different positions which let's you carry people more comfortably, but the Veracruz has two which is pretty good. But there's no way either one of them or any other crossover that I've seen is going to carry a whole heckuva a lot in the back with the third seat up. The Pilot was one of the best in that regard that I looked at, but it was horrible for an adult to sit in the back row.
The only thing I'm disappointed with on the Veracruz is that I wanted roof rails and the base model doesn't include them. To upgrade, I'd have had to spend another $3k to get what I was getting in the base model plus the roof rails. Yes, I would have gotten some other stuff too - - but stuff I didn't care about or value. So I've decided not to go there. If I need the roof (which I think I only used 2x with the Durango), I'll get an aftermarket roof rack for a few hundred bucks.
My apologies if I made it sound like they were available this instant.
I will say though that I am 90% sure that the model I test drove was an AWD . . .so that is available for purchase now. I live in Rochester, NY - - not sure if that is anywhere near where you live, but most vehicles up here are sold with AWD.
Does anyone know if the limited has keyless start? (Not keyless entry, but keyless start). I heard that it did but I'm getting conflicting info
I know what you mean about the fog lights. They were the only other reason I'd consider the upgrade to the SE since they can't really be added after the fact. But I'm just too conservative with $$$ so I'm going to live without and hope I can see!!
Anita
An MDX would run you atleast $7-8k more for the same options. That's alot of saving.
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/12723/first-drive-2007-hyundai-veracruz-lim- ited.html
Csmab
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-28-200- 7/0004554927&EDATE=
Beginning in September 2007, government star ratings will be listed on the window stickers of new vehicles.
I've already ordered my Veracruz (they are saying 1-2 weeks more). I'd really like to have that aux iPod jack - - do you think this is only available on the higher end sound system that comes with the Limited or do you think it can be added to even the base system? I want one!
VC was a bit more wind-sensitive, body roll was noticable.
Sitting behind its steering wheel, MDX is a more confident vehicle based on these,
- steering wheel is heavier, it's JUST RIGHT. Has more feedback, vs. VC's artificial feeling.
- engine/torque & transmission are more in a concert, very precise and predictable (I can't find any other words better describe them). therefore, handling is more positive and "fun to drive."
- VC's trans has a slight delay in some situation during low-speed hill-climbing.
- VC 2nd shift is very brief, meaning after a hesitation into 2nd from 1st, it shifted to 3rd right away. Although smooth and jolt-free w/o jumping, the driver gets nervous.
- I got an impression that VC's turn signal lever is borrowed from Accent or a cheap Chevy.
Both had no problem in highway passing and lane changes.
On the other hand, VC out-features MDX from 2nd row back.
Handling and control means driving and safety to me, MDX tops VC in my list.
Who said this this car drove better than Mazda, or something like you are more out there, or contected to something?..this car drives very simillar to a minivan/old MDX, I am sure alot of folks like that, but to say it out handles the Mazda is a little too much, great value I'm sure, but not on the handling side, and what about the fact that everywhere you look you see a glimpse of a different manufacturer? Sitting in the 3rd seat is a very unique experience, its ok till you look around you, like I fell down in a hole, no wonder they have great numbers on paper. Honestly though a huge improvement on their fit and finish.
Can you provide a URL or source for "side curtain airbags also do not completely cover all three rows."?
VC perhaps is more closer to Toyota/Lexus in performance. Gas is 17/23 in MDX.
Veracruz has more displacement and torque but less horsepower. It weighs about 500 pounds less (4,431 vs. 4,925 for the AWD model) which gives it a better weight/HP ratio than the Outlook/Acadia.
The turning diameter is also 36.7' compared to 40.4 for the GM products.
The CX-9 is between The GM's and the Veracruz in size, price, Weight/HP ratio and turning circle.
They all have their plus's and minus's to potential buyers.
Should the outlook people put a bigger engine in it since it was so heavy or would this mean that they would lose in another area, like MPG or cost of vehicle???
Hope this isn't too many questions....
The cylinder bore (diameter), length of stroke (crankshaft) and number of cylinders determine the cubic inch/liter engine size.
Engines are compromises of cylinder diameter, stroke and number of cylinders to fit in a certain engine compartment.
Torque is a force that tends to rotate or turn things. A simple way to think about it is tightening a nut on a bolt (using a rotational force with a lever arm to produce a linear reaction).
A car engine uses torque (force times distance) to turn an engines crankshaft.
Horsepower is just a calculation from measuring torque and RPM
HP = TORQUE * RPM/5252.
Below 5252 rpm any engine's torque number will always be higher than its horsepower number, and above 5252 rpm any engine's horsepower number will always be higher than its torque number.
To get more power from a certain size engine, it could be turbocharged or supercharged also. That is compressing the air/fuel mixture to pack more in the cylinders.
A short stoke racing engine will rev very high (over 10,000 RPM) but have little torque. A big rig diesel engine will seldom rev above 2,500 RPM but will have gobs of torque.
Whatever torque and horsepower the engine puts out, what is important is what it is at the wheels. Drivetrain losses, differential ratios, gear ratios and number of gears are important. Overdrive gears will reduce torque at the drive wheels.
And less weight means better acceleration, and better gas mileage.
Computer controls, variable valve timing also help engines optimize performance and gas mileage.
Larger displacement engines, more cylinders, lighter components from exotic metals, are costlier to build also.
Everything on the vehicle is a compromise of cost, safety, size, durability and performance.....and it has to sell in the expected quantity to recoup the engineering/development/tooling costs.
Sorry for the rambling but I think I'll stop here.
Torque = the measured ability of a rotating element, as of a gear or shaft, to overcome turning resistance.
Displacement = the total volume of the space traversed by all the pistons.
Torque is much more important than displacement although engines with higher displacement tend to produce more torque. In the case of GM and Hyundai, the displacement difference is negligable. Also important is an engine's ability to produce torque at lower rpm's because that enables the vehicle to get moving faster from a stop. The torque curve also plays a big factor as well. When looking at a torque curve, you would like to see it go up to near peak or peak levels fast and remain level to nearly redline.
Here's an example of a pretty nice torque curve that belongs to a pontiac GTO. The upper, flatter bars are torque.
This is why most trucks with a tow package have a tow/haul setting for higher weight trailers that eliminates overdrive.
I think we could significantly confuse alot of people with all this information. :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Cargo space wasn't as large as I had hoped, but I'd figured it would probably be enough for me. (I guess I should stop repeating all the positive aspects of this car previously posted at this point.)
Now for some nit-picking... I felt some vibration on the steering wheel, which was quite unexpected on a well paved highway road that I use regularly. (Perhaps that feeling is more pronounced without the steering wheel wrapped in leather?) I also expected (or rather illusioned) the engine noise to be quieter, but I felt it was about the same as my 3.3L Sonata (which isn't a bad thing).
All in all, having had five Hyundai vehicles in my family previously, I can say that Hyundai has certainly changed for the better. Hope to get one soon...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/05/AR2007040500695.- html
Not that I bought the Limited...