GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Hyundai - Terracan - CRDi 5-dr wagon range

The Car

14 Jan 2005

"2005 is Hyundai’s diesel year. It is also our rural dealer’s too."

Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) is not mincing its words as to what it expects from its diesel Terracan, the CRDi, particularly with an optional "Trek’n’Tow" suspension upgrade.

CRDi stands for common-rail diesel-injection in Hyundai-speak.

Adding $2000 to the Terracan’s asking price, the CRDi is making a value-for-money play for the pockets of medium-sized SUV buyers.

The engine is a 2.9-litre twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder unit known as J3, and marks the first time a non-petrol powered Hyundai has been offered here.

This motor, already a three years old abroad, was developed by Hyundai subsidiary (and diesel expert) Kia, and comes to the SUV diesel party fully prepared: computer controlled lean-burn common-rail direct-injection with air-to-air intercooler technology. A bonnet scoop gives the CRDi-equipped Terracan away.

Power output is 120kW at 3800rpm while the torque top is 345Nm, available from 1750rpm through to 3000rpm.

Along with relative quietness and no black smoke (due to atomised fuel delivery), the CRDi’s competitive fuel consumption is another diesel plus. The ADR81/01 governmental average is 10.1 and 10.3L/100km for the manual and automatic models respectively.

And Hyundai is happy to point out that a New Zealand EnergyWise Rally-entered Terracan CRDi achieved 7.29L/100km to top its (large) SUV class.

Service scheduling remains the same as the V6’s 15,000km, although a 7500km service is recommended, according to Technical and Training Manager for HMCA, Darryl Piper.

Up until now the Terracan relied on a 3.5-litre quad-cam ‘Sigma’ V6 punching out 145kW of power at 5500rpm and 302Nm of torque at 3000rpm.

The gearboxes are identical to the V6’s five-speed manual and Aisin four-speed automatic transmissions, although the final drive ratios are slightly higher for both.

It comes hot on the heels of late last year’s quiet Series II update, which introduced a redesigned grille, headlights, bumpers, tail-lights, fog lights and body cladding, upgraded cabin storage areas, an improved centre armrest and revised interior colour and trim.

To recap, the seven-seat Terracan was released here in September 2001, a couple of years after its South Korean launch.

It was a new in-house design built on a much-modified version of the preceding Hyundai Galloper platform, which was based on the first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero of the 1980s.

So while the Terracan is hardly new underneath, its DNA is pedigree SUV. Which makes HMCA’s "inner strength" claim for it believable – particularly as "outer freshness" is out of the question.

A traditional off-roader role call means that a separate full-length chassis with a live rear axle for extra wheel articulation and a dual range gearbox are present as well as proven.

Its part-time 4WD system can shift "on the fly" from rear-wheel drive to 4WD at up to 80km/h. The up-spec Highlander apportions power to the front or rear axles as conditions dictate automatically.

A "Hill Descent" feature in the automatic models helps keep things moving slowly but surely. It only works in first-gear low-range and reverse.

Like the V6, the CRDi is available in two models – the standard Terracan and well-equipped Highlander.

Greater off-road and towing abilities – two areas the existing and ongoing Terracan V6 has come under critical fire for – have also been addressed with the introduction of a heavy duty suspension kit – another first for HMCA.

Called "Trek’n’Tow", it has been developed by local suspension specialists Suspension Technology Australia.

The kit comprises of bespoke US-made Edelbrock shock absorbers, German Eibach heavy-duty springs and thump-eliminating Elastogran bump stops in the rear.

The upshot is improved handling, traction and ride, as well as less bodyroll, without a deterioration in chassis oscillation – also known as body flex.

With assistance from a boost in its tow-ball load capacity from 200 to 250kg, the tow pack also helps achieve the Terracan’s 2.5-tonne capacity (braked) trailer load. There is also a 20mm ride-height raise, for greater ground clearance.

Available for around $2000 (pricing has yet to be finalised) as a factory-backed Hyundai accessory on both Terracan and up-spec Highlander editions, the upgrade can also be retrofitted to existing vehicles.

HMCA says it wants all rural dealers to push the suspension kit – particularly on the heavier CRDi models – as the difference compared to the softer standard set-up is remarkable (see the drive story).

The suspension upgrade is also aimed at drivers who want a slightly sportier edge to their Terracan – its firmer set-up aids handling and body control.

More effective fuel and air filters have also found their way onto all Terracan diesels, with the former to better protect against inconsistent sulphur quality in the fuel (an issue that held the diesel’s introduction back until now).

HMCA hopes that head office will adopt the suspension upgrades for Terracan models worldwide.

It also shows that the Australian arm is capable of bettering on a budget that tailoring a vehicle for specific market needs can have commercial benefits and that testing locally can improve the breed for next-generation models.

To the latter’s end a shipment of Hyundai prototypes have just landed locally for secret hot weather testing – another first for the South Korean giant.

So HMCA is serious about breaking Toyota’s stronghold on the SUV market.

It expects to sell around 300 Terracans a month (last year’s average was just under 150, for a total of 1785 units – up 87.5 per cent from 2003), with around 80 CRDi models forecast. The aforementioned facelift should help.

The split should be 50/50 automatic/manual, with slightly more of the latter slated in rural areas.

In fact, HMCA is counting on an increase in its SUV sales volume (from 11 to 18 per cent), to help it achieve its 50,000 ’05 sales target.

Kicking this along is a host of new model activity.

Inside a year we can also expect the CRDi unit to power the recently released Tucson light SUV, while on the passenger car front there is the attractive new EF Sonata from May and a heavily facelifted Getz in the last quarter.

Did you know?

A diesel version of next year’s second-generation Santa Fe will also help Hyundai’s hopes

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Terracan

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here