Just about any road outing becomes a grand event when viewing the scenery from within the Veracruz. A year after its introduction, the midsize crossover’s top-of-the-line Limited trim provides navigation with touch-screen activation. Veracruz is a great people mover because the ride is smooth. The driver will enjoy steering this car/sport utility, while passengers will enjoy the ride – whether that’s in the front seat, the second row seat, or via the Hideaway third row seat. Getting into the last row is uneventful – which is unusual for a back-of-vehicle seating spot. Flip a lever and the second row slides forward, providing an ample-sized passageway to the third row. With third row seat in upright position, there’s only 6.5 cubic feet of space. With the third row seat in its flat-load floor position the cargo space is 40 cubic feet. Veracruz, powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that gains 260 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 257 pounds-feet of torque at 4500 rpm, is available in front wheel drive and all wheel drive. There’s no knock-the-socks-off muscle – especially with the AWD version having a curb weight of more than 4,000 pounds – but Veracruz is really a vehicle for experiencing the surroundings while going from point A to point B. For the in-vehicle surroundings, the 2008 model year means the Limited trim makes a number of previously optional items standard fare, so a power tilt-telescopic steering wheel, rain sensing wipers, and 115-volt power outlet (and more) are now package staples. Veracruz is sold in GLS, SE and Limited trims. The AWD Veracruz Limited tallies mpg of 15 city and 22 highway and carries an MSRP of $35,750.