Spied: 2008 Hyundai Mesa

Meet the next vehicle dedicated to Hyundai's love of the American Southwest: the Mesa. It is Hyundai's newest and largest SUV, larger than the mid-size Santa Fe but not quite as large as full-size competitors. A great bit of detail can be seen in these photos inside and out. The interior looks to be a fusion of the Infiniti FX and Lexus RX.

Read "When Santa Fe just isn't big enough" @ Edmunds

Tuscon? Santa Fe? Mesa?

Hmmm...

How about:

Salsa?

Mafungo?

Guacamole?

All kidding aside, it seems to be a good looking product and a decent Lambda competitor.

The exterior tries to look sleek and sexy like the Enclave with all the curves but just ends up looking dated. The interior is pretty good however.

Wow... Hyundai is expanding fast. And I see LED taillamps are the wave of the future. It'd be nice to see them on cars used in creative ways since they are so small and easily molded to whatever design one can dream up.

That interior looks pretty damn good to me. The exterior, not so much.

It blows my mind how fast Hyundai is growing, and also how fast they are jumping into vehicle categories. The Mesa (do they have a love-affair with Arizona or something?) looks ok, chunky in the butt and funky in the roofline, but looks as ok as the ugly camo will let it. Lambdas have some new competition...

It's not called Mesa :AH-HA_wink:

The Interior really is the direct result of a fusion between the FX and RX. Nice? Very. Original? Not so much. Still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed overall. Knockoff or not, it looks extremely well done.

I can't make a fair judgement on the exterior from these pictures, but I'm confident the Enclave will have it covered on that front. Regardless, I really hope Buick utilizes details like the Enclave's unique leather trimmings to help set it apart.

That interior looks spectacular. Look how the controls are integrated into the center stack...Very nice. Looks like Hyundai beat the domestics to integrated controls...the Enclave's look cheap by comparison.

Edited May 12, 200619 yr by Dodgefan

Hyundai impresses me each time they produce another vehicle.

It's like they're trying too hard to make a design statement.

It's like they're trying too hard to make a design statement.

by making a great looking interior design? If that's the case then GM, Ford, and Chrysler should "try too hard" too!

It's like they're trying too hard to make a design statement.

use the word 'failing' instead of 'trying'.

it still has that walmart made in china quality to it. are we not looking a GEELY?

nice azera door panels.

the exterior is bad. the dash is a step up over the abysmal azera, but still suffers from a disjointed hodgepodge look with no real interesting detailing.

i'd get an Enclave, Outlook, or Acadia.

use the word 'failing' instead of 'trying'.

it still has that walmart made in china quality to it.  are we not looking a GEELY?

nice azera door panels.

the exterior is bad.  the dash is a step up over the abysmal azera, but still suffers from a disjointed hodgepodge look with no real interesting detailing.

i'd get an Enclave, Outlook, or Acadia.

That's a typical bashing of it just because it's Korean...tell me: were you testing that vehicle and happened to sit inside of it and touch the materials? Can you magically uncover the heavy camo and know exactly what it's gonna look like? The answer to both is most likely NO.

This interior is easily on par with the Enclave/Outlook...actually I like it better since it has nicer integration of the center stack and doesn't use that damn flat black plastic.

Edited May 12, 200619 yr by Dodgefan

That interior looks spectacular. Look how the controls are integrated into the center stack...Very nice. Looks like Hyundai beat the domestics to integrated controls...the Enclave's look cheap by comparison.

If that makes the Enclave's interior look "cheap" then every Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep must look 3rd World... especially the luxury Aspen and Commander.

My point is, the Hyundai's interior looks good, but the Enclave's interior doesn't look cheap regardless to what it's compared to.

If that makes the Enclave's interior look "cheap" then every Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep must look 3rd World... especially the luxury Aspen and Commander. 

My point is, the Hyundai's interior looks good, but the Enclave's interior doesn't look cheap regardless to what it's compared to.

You can't tell me the same stereo head you find in a Cobalt that you get in the Enclave doesn't cheapen the look. At least some.

You can't tell me the same stereo head you find in a Cobalt that you get in the Enclave doesn't cheapen the look. At least some.

Show me one picture of the Enclave with the same stereo head as the Cobalt, and then I'll evaluate it. :AH-HA_wink:

I think the stereo in my Cobalt is integrated quite well, and looks very good...

Yes, GM parts bin puts the same one in the Enclave, but I don't mind parts sharing so much when they're GOOD parts... Please explain to me how the Cobalt stereo is uglier, less ergonomic, etc. than this one.

Actually, that was my mistake. I forgot that the Cobalt has the older style stereo head unit. Ok second look, the centerstack ins't bad...but why do they still have to use flat black plastic? I like the Outlook's Exterior best, I like the Enclave next, but I can't make final judgement until after I see the Hyundai without camo.

Personally..I still like it's interior better. It just bugs me that reg automatiucally asumes it looks like crap and is cheap and stuff jeust because it's from Hyundai..if this were a GM interior, EVERYONE would be gushing over it.

Edited May 12, 200619 yr by Dodgefan

Regardless, I really hope Buick utilizes details like the Enclave's unique leather trimmings to help set it apart. 

I agree. I really hope they don't skimp on the Enclave's interior. That said, I see the Enclave as more of a lux compeititor. This thing will compete more directly with Acadia and Outlook, IMHO.

Comments reserved until final vehicle arrives.

The upper-level Mesa interior looks very good. I believe the Sonata interior designers have been fired or at least it appears that way. However, look at the base interior shot. It would be hilarious if the radio/HVAC switchgear remained silver and the surrounding plastics made black. Not so integrated there.

The headlight cluster is interesting and use of LEDs are cool but the taillights look like a combination of Mazda Tribute and the new Lexus design. I'm not a fan of the swoopy styling, either.

Actually, that was my mistake. I forgot that the Cobalt has the older style stereo head unit. Ok second look, the centerstack ins't bad...but why do they still have to use flat black plastic? I like the Outlook's Exterior best, I like the Enclave next, but I can't make final judgement until after I see the Hyundai without camo.

Personally..I still like it's interior better. It just bugs me that reg automatiucally asumes it looks like crap and is cheap and stuff jeust because it's from Hyundai..if this were a GM interior, EVERYONE would be gushing over it.

no, i don't like it because its B.F. UGLY!

no, i don't like it because its B.F. UGLY!

Not the interior, at least not the upper level one. The exterior..eh...i'll wait ntil I see it with no camo

It's not called Mesa  :AH-HA_wink:

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Hyundai just keeps on growing. keep an eye on these guys GM.

Hyundai is incredible!

Every new product is more amazing than the one it replaces, and coupled with that warranty, it's no wonder Hyundai is ballooning out so fast.

World's Fifth Largest Automaker?

Hmm, they may end up at number four...

The swoopy styling is still horrible and the interior is just alright for me (changed from my last opinion). It will be competitive, no doubt, but the styling needs some help.

3 months later, IT'S STILL UGLY! inside and out.

3 months later, IT'S STILL UGLY!  inside and out.

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subjective opinion.

and IMO, it will sell well.

subjective opinion.

and IMO, it will sell well.

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I agree... it'll definitely sell.

use the word 'failing' instead of 'trying'.

it still has that walmart made in china quality to it.  are we not looking a GEELY?

nice azera door panels.

the exterior is bad.  the dash is a step up over the abysmal azera, but still suffers from a disjointed hodgepodge look with no real interesting detailing.

i'd get an Enclave, Outlook, or Acadia.

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SOMEbody doesn't like Hyundai........em'kay?

I think the shifter knob with the wood trim is EXACTLY the same as the Camry XLE. Color, style, everything.

There are two things which can kill this design easily. One, the freakin new Hynudai smell. I spent a couple days this summer at the Hyundai dealership prepping cars for the lot, and they suck to get into cause they smell bad. Two, even if the interior design is good (new Santa Fe), they use cheap plastics. People harp on Hyundai for this a lot, maybe a bit too much, but seeing Hyundai interiors in person compared to pictures made a huge difference to me and definitely lowered my opinon of the marque.