Interior styling: The Veracruz has a very clean design, especially as it relates to the front dash area and the rear seats.

Ride smoothness: We tested 13 vehicles in this class, and the Veracruz rivaled higher end brands including Lexus in the comfort and smoothness. Hyundai struck an excellent compromise between handling/stiffness and comfort/smoothness.

Quietness: The Veracruz is one of the more quiet crossover vehicles. Wind noise and engine noise are both very muted. The engine when pressed hard does make a satisfying sound, but even then isn't especially loud.

Powertrain performance: The engine performance is well matched to the size and weight of the vehicle. The 6 speed transmission is the real star. Hyundai uses a Japanese-sourced Aisin 6 speed automatic with manual shift modes and it shifts crisply and doesn't hunt for gears.

Ride smoothness: Mazda focused on sporty handling and as a result the ride suffers. The ride, even on the smaller tires is stiff and jarring.

Interior styling: The front dash area is more cluttered and not as cohesively put together. My biggest complaint was with the giant slide rails in the floors for the second and third row seats. They are hideous and large and have no place on a $35k vehicle.

Past personal experience: Huge inside, comfortable, mileage averages 22mpg which is adequate for size and weight of the SUV. I had a Santefe prior and liked it but interior room was not great and no ABS.Power and handling are superior.

Exterior styling: One of the better looking SUV's on the market, smooth lines.

Driving position & visibility: You sit high, comfortable seats even after 500 miles a day. Auto dimming mirrors and auto windshield wipers are a nce feature.

Materials & workmanship: Paint and finishing are very good, Michelin tires and the 18" wheels give good traction in winter driving with the AWD. Engine and trans axle combination work well together. Interior comfort and materials suit our life style.

Price or payments: I bought this car in Montana saving about $9000.00 over the Canadian price.

Interior styling: Opulent, amazingly high end materials, very luxurious, features gallore, excellant sound system and DVD player.

Quietness: Shifting, engine noise, road noise

Materials & workmanship: Tactile feel very high end. Lexus quality

Cargo capacity & towing: 3rd seating comfortable for a 6 foot man, can tow a 18 foot bowrider.

Safety & braking: Highest crash test ratings

Fuel economy: Worst than our supercharged family car.

Interior styling: I like just about everything about the Veracruz. I don't think you can get better bang for the buck in this category. Easy access to third row seat is a big plus.

Exterior styling: Looks as good as anything out there...if not better.

Fuel economy: It doesn't use much more fuel than my minivan did.

Quietness: One of the quietest vehicules I've owned.

Front seat comfort: Most comfortable seats I've driven in.

Powertrain performance: Downshifts are very slow. They take forever to occur...so I use the tap-shift. But the automatic downshifts could be better/quicker.