Hyundai Terracan
Ratings
2 stars
Summary
Not Recommended. A big, crude off-roader of the old school. Tough and good in the wilderness, but there's not much else to recommend it.
Review
The Terracan is perfect for anybody who finds themselves getting nostalgic about the way off-roaders used to be. But compared to far more advanced modern rivals it feels cheap and crude.
The brutish styling certainly gives it plenty of road presence, with a more-than-passing resemblance to the previous generation Mitsubishi Shogun from which it evolved. The interior feels equally old-fashioned, with very cheap feeling materials and some very 'seventies fake wood trim. There's plenty of space inside for five occupants and the boot is massive - almost big enough for the third row of seats that it doesn't offer, limiting practicality against seven-seat rivals (including Hyundai's own Santa Fe.)
On-road performance is dreadful. The Terracan rides poorly, corners with lots of roll and runs out of grip early in proceedings. Motorway cruising is loud and windswept, while vague steering keeps the driver busy keeping everything pointed in the right direction. As you'd expect, it is pretty talented off-road - but that's hardly the point for an SUV intended to appeal to modern buyers.
Only one engine is available, a 2.9 litre turbodiesel, which gives adequate performance at the cost of plenty of noise and indifferent fuel economy. If you need a tough, uncomplaining workhorse to take you off the beaten track then the Terracan is worthy of consideration. Otherwise, avoid.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
3 star
Big and square - just like off-roaders used to be.
Handling
2 star
Vague steering, limited roadholding and poor stability at cruising speeds mean the Terracan feels outclassed by rivals.
Comfort
2 star
There's plenty of room in the vast cabin, but the crashy ride means that it rarely feels comfortable.
Quality & Reliability
3 star
As solidly assembled as we expect from Hyundai, but the cheesy cabin materials are dreadful.
Performance
2 star
The 2.9 litre diesel engine is loud under hard use but delivers adequate urge.
Roominess
4 star
Big and tough with plenty of room for five occupants inside. Very good at towing, too.
Running Costs
2 star
Steep depreciation and poor fuel economy means the Terracan is a costly beast to keep on the road.
Value for money
3 star
If you're looking for a real old-fashioned workhorse SUV then the Terracan looks like pretty good value. But anyone looking to make an aspirational, road-friendly purchase should look elsewhere.
