2008 Hyundai Veracruz Exterior Review
Not Yet Ranked
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
Reviewers have mixed feelings on the styling of the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, with some calling it boring and dated while others find it clean and attractive. Automobile Magazine says the exterior styling "may be anonymous, but it's also inoffensive, and that seems to be the benchmark for this unadventurous segment."
The exterior of the Veracruz is largely modeled after the Lexus RX 350 -- a point that many reviewers see as a downside. The Detroit News says it "seems dated" and adds that a "clone of the Lexus RX 350 does not stand out in a diverse and growing selection of vehicles in the crossover market." Cars.com comments, "If flowing lines are your thing, the Veracruz will be a hit. Those who prefer blockier forms -- like the Lincoln MKX or anything Cadillac -- should look elsewhere."
But some, including Motor Trend, see the Hyundai's resemblance to the Lexus as a positive: "Both are attractive, clean, and modern, devoid of unnecessary gingerbread." The Washington Post also comments on the Veracruz's head-turning quotient, noting, "Many Californians thought the Veracruz came from one of the traditional high-end manufacturers." New Car Test Drive finds that the Veracruz "presents a clean, uncluttered face, a balanced, sleekly executed profile and maybe a bit of a copycat rear aspect, but if it is, it's at least a copy of a winner." About.com simply calls the Hyundai "a good-looking SUV."