Hyundai Veracruz is a mid-size crossover SUV sold by Hyundai in the countries of United States, Canada, South Korea, China, Brazil, and the Middle East. The official date of unveiling in South Korea is October 12, 2006. It is available now in the United States as a 2007 model. Hyundai has settled on its segment name as Luxury Utility Vehicle (LUV). It is a new, larger-than-Santa Fe crossover. The Veracruz went on sale in March 2007 and is Hyundai's largest crossover SUV until the large Portico launches in 2009. The Veracruz is a replacement for the truck-based Terracan, which was sold worldwide except for North America, and is built on a stretched Santa Fe platform.
Many have suggested that the Veracruz, as well as the Azera and the Genesis are testing the waters for a new luxury brand by Hyundai, to compete with the likes of Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Acura.
The Veracruz will be given an ultra-low sulfur diesel engine circa 2009 to 2010. This engine achieves better gas mileage and more torque than its gasoline counterpart. The diesel engine is currently available in Korea but does not yet match United States emission standards.
In 2008 the Veracruz will also be sold in some European countries as the iX55.
