Hyundai Terracan Review
Published: 25th April 2005
Hyndai Terracan
Other safety related equipment as standard on the Terracan are side impact bars, childproof rear door locks, three 3-point seat belts, front and rear fog lamps, adjustable head restraints - front, engine immobiliser, high mounted brake light, load cover, remote central locking with alarm and side impact bars.
In addition to the above, we would have liked to have seen Traction Control and ESP, although the Terracan is four-wheel drive there are occasions where electronics can protect and aid the driver to keep on the straight and narrow.
Comfort and Refinement
The Hyundai Terracan is fairly well equipped and is comfortable to drive. The diesel engine is not particularly noisy although it is not as refined as the engines featured in the market leaders such as Land Rover’s V6, but we did not have any complaints bearing in mind the price.
We sat comfortably in the seats and enjoyed the commanding driving position. The driver’s seat featured lumbar adjustment and could be altered for height. One thing we did not like was the use of a lever to adjust the recline of the seat, we prefer a rotary dial which is far easier to adjust. The steering column is adjustable for height and we did not find it hard to achieve a comfortable driving position.
We benefited from an efficient climate controlled air conditioning system which worked effectively throughout the vehicle. There are electric windows all round, although one bug bear, why is the drivers window only one shot down and not up we find this irritating and Hyundai are not the only manufacturer guilty of this.
On a practical level the Terracan features front cup holders, door pockets - front and rear, front armrest - with storage compartment, interior light, leather trimmed gear knob and steering wheel, map reading lights, front door puddle lights, rear centre arm rest with cup holders, front seat back pockets, tinted glass, 4 x grab handles, glove box, cigarette lighter and ashtray.
How It Looks - Exterior
We now come to a stumbling block in our review, the jury is out as to whether the Terracan is ugly or not. Undoubtedly, the car is not of European design and perhaps taste, although this is of course subjective. We are going to be kind and describe the exterior as interesting; it certainly has its own presence. From certain angles one might even describe the Terracan as a handsome beast.
The CRTD model features 16" Alloy wheels, black side steps, body coloured door handles and mirrors, front and rear fog lights, side steps and two tone side moulding's and bumpers.
