The Hyundai Terracan is a 5-door, seven-seat midsize SUV based on Hyundai’s Highland concept and produced by the South Korean carmaker from 2001 to 2007. The Galloper preceded it, while the Veracruz was its successor.
Hyundai derived its name from Tarascan, a Mesoamerican region in Mexico. The Terracan’s Chinese version is called Hawtai Terracan, produced under a joint venture between Hyundai and Hawtai.
The Terracan has a front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout and uses the same chassis installed on the second-generation Mitsubishi Pajero. There were two petrol engine choices offered for the initial year. However, the Australian-spec models came with the sole 3.5-litre (3,497cc) V6 Sigma petrol engine. It could send up to 145 kW and 302 Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 5-speed manual shift or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Other markets had access to the more fuel-efficient 2.9-litre inline-4 J-series diesel engine which could generate 120 kW and 345 Nm. In later years, Australia would also get this J-series variant. Hyundai developed both these engines.
There were two trim choices for the Australian-spec Terracan – the base and Highlander models – which featured the following standard equipment:
- Base – dual front airbags, air-conditioning, alarm system/remote anti-theft, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, central locking/remote control, front fog lights, engine immobiliser, limited-slip differential, power mirrors, power steering, power windows, radio CD with six speakers, roof racks, and seatbelt pretensioners (front seats)
- Highlander – added to the base equipment: anti-locking brake system, automatic air-conditioning/climate control, electronic brake-force distribution, leather upholstery, and wood-grain trim
Highlander models were equipped with a 4x4 differential that would engage 4WD automatically. All variants had low-range gearing and ladder-frame chassis. Aside from the regular trim offering from 2001 to 2007, there were also limited editions, such as the Highlander World Cup and World Cup.
In 2005, the 2.9-litre J-series common-rail diesel engine became available in the country, with the base model renamed as CRDi and the higher-level trim as Highlander CRDi. It was Australia's first diesel Hyundai car, so it touched the ground with much anticipation. While the diesel was a welcome step for the Hyundai off-roader, it offered nothing new from the previous petrol model. Equipment inclusions were almost identical from the hood to the boot.
Aside from the added engine in 1995, there were only minor trim changes and some new colours offered throughout the Terracan’s tenure in Australia. Just before its phase-out, Hyundai introduced the SLX trim which was available for both engine variants. It added a rear spoiler and a side step as standard equipment to the previously offered base trim levels.
While the Terracan did not offer anything more exciting than what a serious off-road SUV should, it did provide the basics with an excellent value-for-money proposition. If you have this vehicle waiting in your garage for your weekend getaways to the remote regions of the country, then make sure it's well maintained. Feel free to browse our website for auto parts compatible with the Terracan or other models. You may also send us a parts request message, and we'd be glad to assist you.
-JMSL