H Comparo Shock! Hyundai Beats Lexus H
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h comParo sHock! Hyundai Beats Lexus h ELECTRONICALLY REPRINTED FROM JMOTOR U L Y 2 0 0 7 h h h h h TREND motortrend.com (head to head) at the crossroads Hyundai Veracruz Vs. Lexus rx 350 n words matt stone n photographs john kiewicz at the crossroads Can you really Compare an aggressive Korean Contender to the Class standard? We just did. (head to head) Hyundai Veracruz Vs. Lexus rx 350 four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The Hyun- dai’s 3.8-liter V-6 is rated at 260 horsepower. Lexus’s 3.5-liter V-6 cranks out 10 horsepower more, but requires premium fuel to do so (the Veracruz runs on regular). As tested here, the Lexus costs just over $10 grand more than the Hyundai, but packs a few goodies the Veracruz can’t match. This RX has an optional nav system with backup camera, which would add $1500-$2000 to the price of the Hyundai—except for the fact that it doesn’t offer one. Hyundai says it’s coming before the end of this year. The RX also has adaptive HID headlights, real wood trim instead of the Hyundai’s plasti- wood, and a power retractable cargo-area tonneau. So some of that price gap is made up for by meaningful equipment. But the “Bring it,” said our contact at larger-engined RX 350 in spring 2006 as a Veracruz gets a few swings in, too, with Hyundai. “We know we have a great price/ 2007 model (our tester is a 2008). It remains sweeteners like a 115-volt powerpoint in value story in the Veracruz, but forget that. the gold standard in the category and has the cargo area, adjustable pedals, and a We want to take on the Lexus, straight up.” spurred at least a half-dozen imitators. “coolbox” console. Okay, pal. You got it. From a brand standpoint, Lexus flies first You don’t have to stare too hard to figure out With its most recent round of product class all the way. Hyundai established itself what Hyundai was looking at when it styled introductions, Hyundai has gone from price- two decades ago with compact cars sold the Veracruz; think of it as an RX 350 at about driven alternative to legit player in several primarily on price and has been trying to 110 percent. Both are attractive, clean, and vehicle categories (the same can be said for upgrade from coach ever since. But the two modern, devoid of unnecessary gingerbread. corporate cousin, Kia). The designs, most of end up meeting at the intersection of RX 350 The Veracruz is 4.4 inches longer overall, which now originate in Southern California, and Veracruz Limited AWD. riding on a 3.5-inch-longer wheelbase. It’s are clean and handsome, quality has jumped The Limited is the top-drawer Veracruz, also 2.8 inches taller and four inches wider. by leaps and bounds, and performance has combining every feature Hyundai has in its The only layout difference is that those few come up to class average in most cases. The bin, plus all-wheel drive. The RX isn’t available extra inches in all dimensions allow Hyundai Veracruz (June 2007) is Hyundai’s newest in 2WD, and even a base-equipped RX 350 to add a folding third-row seat, increasingly crossover entry, slotting in above the Santa is lavish by comparison. But as equipped important to crossover/SUV buyers these Fe with more room and features and a third- here, they both have all the stuff a luxury days. And it’s a useful way-back seat, too; row seat. crossover buyer will want, including leather plenty of room in all dimensions for average Lexus’s RX pioneered the notion of the upholstery, heated seats, power everything, adults. It’s split 60/40, and each panel folds midsize, car-based, luxury crossover in 1999 impressive audio systems, a comprehensive with the flip of a lever. The second-row seat and was Motor Trend’s first Sport/Utility of safety package, power rear liftgate, rear-seat slides forward for easy access and is also the Year. That original RX 300 got a make- DVD player/screen, 18-inch rolling stock, adjustable fore and aft. With all seats folded, over, becoming the RX 330 in 2003, and the traction and stability-control systems, and both carry a ton of stuff, although the Vera- (head to head) Hyundai Veracruz ahead by a second eight test, which combines transitional at the 0-to-60 mark, handling, grip, acceleration, and braking. and that differential And it grips through the skidpad at 0.77 g holds most of the way versus the Lexus’s 0.68g run. Is the Hyundai through the quarter chassis that much superior? No. It’s the RX’s mile, where the edge insistence in keeping you overly safe that is still eight-tenths electronically inhibited its performance. It of a second. Both sensed that our max-handling performance engines are strong, testing was impending accident doom and lit relatively quiet up the stability controls at anything more than (with the nod to the the slightest provocation. Beepers beeped, Veracruz), and have brakes braked, and the throttle was dialed wide torque bands out until the RX 350 knew we weren’t going to thanks to variable crash. This also was the case on our mountain valve timing. In the road loop, even during moderate cornering. 60-to-0 braking The Lexus computer wizards need to dial the cruz’s cargo bay looks larger than the 2.1- contest, the Lexus stopped five feet shorter electronannies back a notch or two. cubic-foot EPA volume difference between than the Hyundai, but since production In real-world driving, both do the job it and the Lexus indicates. tolerances between vehicles often results nicely and will take you and your occupants In terms of performance, the RX’s 10 more in variances larger than that, call it a draw. anywhere you want to go in comfort. Ride horsepower has about 400 fewer pounds to The Hyundai is the happier handler, though. quality is about equal, although the Lexus pull, so it wins all the acceleration contests. It’s It’s 2.1 seconds quicker through our figure- exhibits less wind noise at higher speeds. (head to head) Lexus rx 350 Both have good steering and brake pedal feel. view-mirror adjust- Kudos to the Hyundai’s six-speed automatic ment switch hidden transmission. It has one more gear than does behind a door on the the Lexus’s, shifts smoother without being instrument panel? mushy, and responds quickly to downshift Both have high- demands. The RX’s trans shifts more harshly quality, supportive under heavy load. The Veracruz turns in seating, although we more confidently and steers in a more linear missed having sepa- manner. When you bend the Lexus into a rate armrests in the corner hard, it asks for a steering correction. Hyundai. If you overdo it, the RX calls in the stability Premium Japanese controls. brands are known The Veracruz’s center stack is a model of for using first-rate logic. Each portion of it is dedicated to its materials, boasting respective function: HVAC, audio, etc. The superior fit and finish. knobs and buttons are easy to understand Korean brands have and do what you want them to in an intuitive previously been known for none of the above. bled almost as well. The leather and vinyl on way. The RX’s are okay, too, but there are This pair demonstrates how narrow that gap the seats didn’t quite color-match, the silver foibles, such as giving you a switch to control has become. The Lexus is still the king here, finish on the center stack doesn’t appear all temperature, but insisting you go into the using great surfaces everywhere and bolting that sturdy, and there were a few misaligned Climate portion of the nav screen to adjust them together flawlessly. The Hyundai uses bits of trim. It’s in areas such as these where the fan speed. Stupid. And why is the side- components of nearly equal quality, assem- you can spot the difference in cost, although 2007 Hyundai 2008 Lexus Veracruz Limited aWd RX 350 POWERTRAIN/cHASSIS Drivetrain layout Front engine, aWd Front engine, aWd engine type 60° v-6, alum block/heads 60° v-6, alum block/heads valvetrain dohC, 4 valves/cyl dohC, 4 valves/cyl Displacement 230.6 cu in/3778cc 210.9 cu in/3456cc compression ratio 10.4:1 10.8:1 power (SAE net) 260 hp @ 6000 rpm 270 hp @ 6200 rpm torque (SAE net) 257 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm 251 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm weight to power 17.9 lb/hp 15.6 lb/hp transmission 6-speed automatic 5-speed automatic axle/final ratio 3.20:1/2.20:1 3.29:1/2.49:1 it’s not as great as the dollar spread might suspension, f;r struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar indicate. If we accept that the Lexus’s brand steering ratio 18.9:1 16.0:1 cachet, dealer-service reputation, reliability turns lock-to-lock 3.5 3.0 Brakes, f;r 12.6-in vented disc; 12.6-in vented disc; reputation, and historically high resale value 12.8-in disc, aBs 11.3-in disc, aBs are worth the 25-percent premium, price is no wheels, f;r 18.0 x 7.0 in, cast aluminum 18.0 x 7.0 in, cast aluminum longer an issue.