Hyundai Terracan road tests and consumer car reviews

Hyundai Terracan 2.9L 2006

Mine is coming to the end of 5 year warranty and still the digital air conditioning has a dead band of about + and - 5°. I have mentioned it to my Hyundai garage and even wrote to the Main Hyundai Centre with no response. The proportional control of the temperature does not occur, blowing hot then very cold, but never at the temperature asked for. Otherwise the car is very good.

Responses to this review

If you can find a schematic of the heater, you may be able to consider buying a cheap thermocouple and replacing your existing one temporary. This may be the source of your problem but could be your cheapest method of testing. Alternative to this would be if you can locate the thermocouple place in hot water or hair dryer to see if you get a reasonable response from your heater display. You may also be able to find the thermocouple which controls the ambient temp response. Warming this area and check your ambient response may help or close the external cold air vent off for a while. This might give you some indication to what type of fault you have - Alan Broadbent from Lancashire

The Hyundai Teracan went in for its big service (i.e. timing belts etc) on 19 Dec 2011. What a surprise when I picked it up the following day, they had found out that a rubber pipe that samples the air in the car was badly kinked and not allowing air to pass. This pipe is situated behind a very small grill just to the right of the temperature setting switches. They replaced the bent pipe and removed some other pipe in the same area. I am pleased to report that the digital heating system is now working properly for the first time in five years and my wife can now travel as my passenger without wrapping her legs in a blanket. I suggest that all Hyundai service centres take a note of how this problem was cured - Brian Stapleton from Denbighshire

Hyundai Terracan crde 2.9L 2004

I have been an SUV buff for quite some time. Out of all new and and old SUV’s I selected a Terracan for myself for its responsive engine. You feel one with the vehicle when you drive it and the torque delivered is fantastic. It is a good package for its price. Go for it!

Hyundai Terracan 2.9 CRDi 2004

Had the Auto Terri’ for two years, with one previous owner - bought specifically for pulling a boat (which it did effortlessly) and winter journeys across the Highlands. POSITIVES: excellent value for money. Loads of space inside with lounging comfort. Expensive looking, well-built black interior with full leather. Loads of torquey pulling power from engine and 4 speed (plus OD) autobox. Honest, hardworking image. Proven winter and serious off-road ability with electronic "shift on the fly" transfer (rescued a number of other vehicles including £70k Cayenne!) Reasonable economy - up to 35mpg. NEGATIVES: part-time 4wd only possible on low-friction surfaces, ie NOT during normal on-road driving. Some parts slow to obtain and sometimes pricey. Very ’common rear diff’ problems/shudder. Fuel pump failure leading to injector problems (as with mine - £2,500 cost of replacement). Cost of 60k mile belts changing service (from £1,000 at main dealer). Ride can be a bit knobbly. SUMMARY: After changing for a 7 seat people carrier with much lower running costs, I still miss the Terri’ every day and if enough of my numbers came up in the Lottery, I would buy my old friend back again. Really!

Hyundai Terracan 2011

It is a very good car , with no problems.

Hyundai Terracan CRDTi Limited Edition 2007

This is the first time I have ever written a review of any sort for anything. Surprisingly for me, this is a very positive review to endorse a product rather than to give something a negative review! I have always owned saloon cars (mainly Mercedes) until we, as a family, went to the USA in 2008 for a 3 week holiday driving around the Eastern states of the USA. We hired a large Chevrolet People carrier, and that experience convinced us that the best car for a young growing family is a people carrier/4x4 type vehicle. OK, you have to accept the higher road tax charge, and higher mpg fuel consumption, but having this type of vehicle is such a massive bonus when bringing up a family, it is well worth it. On returning from the States, we bought a brand new Chevrolet Captiva and drove that for 2 years, which was excellent. This confirmed that the SUV/4x4 type cars are best suited to our needs, from the difficulties of putting 4 years olds into child car seats, to ferrying around larger elder pre-teen boys! On selling the Captiva, I bought a second-hand, late 2007 Terracan CRTDi (Auto) Limited Edition in Black for just under £9K with only 33K miles on the clock. I bought it from a National car dealership in August 2010 and have driven it for nearly 6 months now. It has black privacy glass, full leather seats and trim, roof mounted DVD player and all the usual ’Limited’ extra’s. I use this car as a family ’Station Wagon’ rather than a traditional 4x4 role, it’ll never go off-road unless we go camping etc. Basically it’s a "Chelsea Tractor" doing all the usual school run, supermarket shopping trips, general running around and also 1-2 driving holidays a year to France and back from Blackpool, Lancashire. As a road car, I can’t fault it, it is absolutely fantastic, comfortable, very easy to drive, really well built and fairly economical for its size. I am so impressed with the car, I know I will hang on to it for quite some years, so I had a double DIN Pioneer F20BT stereo head unit fitted, to replace the Hyundai stereo, and also give us ’built in’ Sat Nav capability and also excellent blu-tooth mobile phone control. In order to fit this unit, we cut out the coin/pen storage slot that is under the factory fitted car stereo and that gave enough room to accommodate a double DIN stereo/Sat Nav unit. In addition, I fitted parking sensors front and back, and I also replaced the front headlights and Fog lights with HID’s.at the risk of sounding "boy racer’ish", these additions really do enhance the car visually and functionally! I also fitted an engine tune-up chip (bought from a good seller on eBay!) This is definitely worth the investment and immediately make the 2.9ltr diesel powered car feel like a petrol engined car with improved fuel efficiency, whilst giving you extra power, torque and speed; to my surprise, they are so easy to fit and really do work! It will only take you a few tanks of fuel to get your money back! I’ve never been a ’petrol head’ or car person in my life, but I believe splashing out on these additional extras is well worth it. Whilst the Terracan may not have the kudos of other 4x4’s, I sincerely believe this is a gem of a car that can be easily be overlooked because it’s ’Korean’ or a "Hyundai!" As I said, in my fifty years, I’ve never been a petrol head, but I do smile and enjoy driving this machine, which feels like a tank on the road. The selectable 2WD/4WD came into its own during the recent cold snap with ice and snow on the roads. I would recommend that people buy a boot liner to protect the carpet in the boot space, and I would also recommend that people have the underneath sprayed with an anti-corrosion protection like wax-oil or similar. I am normally a ’critical’ and ’perfectionist’ type person (every salesman’s nightmare!), however, the only concern I have had to date was the Terracan steering can seem a little ’loose’ and a little ’tractor-like’, and certainly not as refined as the Captiva’s or other cars I’ve driven. I initially thought my ’Terry’ was faulty, but after a check by the local Hyundai dealership (which is excellent), the steering is fine. I think my concern was caused because the Terracan by my inexperience of 4WD cars. However, now I’ve driven the Terracan for a couple of thousand miles, I’ve got used to it and do not find it to be a problem. I wholeheartedly recommend this car, it’s cheap, not over-engineered, reliable, very well built, tough, comfortable and economical and fantastic value. What else could you ask for?!?!?

Hyundai Terracan limited edition auto 2007

The car will be 4 years old in March and we have had it from new it has now covered 31000 miles without any faults. It sailed through its first MoT and I have no doubt the second will be the same, tyres are still the originals as are brake pads. I have towed a caravan for two years and you would hardly know you had anything on the back, it is very stable at all speeds, used 4 wheel drive in snow and muddy fields no probs. What a shame they don’t make them anymore, excellent value for the money. If you get the chance to drive one have a go you will be impresed. 30 /35 miles to the gallon depending how heavy you are on the pedal, not bad for a 2.9 ltr automatic.

Hyundai Terracan 5 Speed Manual 2005

Car has only done 58000 miles and requires a new limited slip diff, been quoted £2218.00 for a new diff plus fitting etc! This is a common weakness with the Terracan and the diff can fail at any time. I have also found that parts are very expensive if you can get them with a leadtime of 8-10 weeks if one is lucky. Overall whilst they may be cheap to buy once they go wrong there very expensive to repair if no longer under warranty and many garages do not want to touch them. My advice is pay a bit more and buy a main stream 4x4 or get rid before the warranty is out.

Responses to this review

Totally agree with you; when they go wrong, it is expensive. We have had a quote for an new exhaust from the middle backwards it was £ 1,500, however we have shopped around and now have a quote for just over £500. Now it is still dear, however we need something with enough pulling power for our twin axle caravan. I love the Terracan to bits, it’s 7 years old so not bad going as this is the first expensive job we have had to pay out on, wish they still made them - John Lawton from Staffordshire

Hyundai Terracan 2.9 manual 2005

Our vehicle is 100% working every day. It has towed an Ifor Williams 16ft flatbed the length and breadth of the UK effortlesly and is now at just under 100k miles with very few problems. We were all very sceptical to start with...but are now loving the car. Best of all it doesn’t have the image associated with all the posh 4x4s. Am just about to buy another one for my own private use, a 2007 vehicle with 30 k on the clock for £ 10k. Px a Nissan Navara D40 which is the biggest load of rubbish ever to come out of the Nissan stable...new clutch at 40k, new rear wheel bearings at 45k, new turbo at 60k ...another new turbo at 61k and just recently another set of rear wheel bearings (£650!!). The only good bit is I only have to pay £3k in exchange for the Terracan (and this one is the SE so has nice leather seats and a DVD)!!

Hyundai Terracan ltd crtd 2007

Bought new, Sept ’07 with 10mls on clock for 10,900k with trade-in. Have had two Landrover Discos, but Terracan better for towing & refined driving. Had no problems apart from leather stiching on drivers seat, dvd in roof replaced twice & fuel gauge fault. Have done 22,000k mls to date and still have original tyres fitted. All owners should boycot Hyundai to re-start production again as best car I’ve had. The only downside was after care service at main dealer.

Responses to this review

Hi Gordon, I bought my Terracan from Arnold clark. I don’t think you can beat them on deals but their aftersales and servicing are not good so I have had my Terracan serviced by Taggarts in Motherwell.I dont rate Hytec and I work near SDM in Falkirk and tried them out on a bogus purchase for a Terracan and the lies were cracking so Taggarts it is for me, I do trust them. The car has performed great over the last few years; not one breakdown, only ruptured power steering pipe managed to limp home and replaced it myself. Regards - Billy Ross from Lanarkshire

Hyundai Terracan Automatic 2005

I have owned Discos, Jeeps, Troopers and the Terracan is streets ahead for comfort, economy and towing ability. Still on the original tyres after 55K miles. Just fitted new front pads and this motor spends 80% OF ITS LIFE TOWING 2.5 TONNES PLUS. I think it will live with me forever. Nobody will pay me what it is worth to change.

Hyundai Terracan 2006

A different league to the Freelander I had. A real pleasure to drive towing caravan and solo, best value 4x4xfar.

Hyundai Terracan 2007

Bought this Terracan for 14,500 pre-registed only 10 miles on clock. Exceptional value for money, was driving the Freelander before which does not compare. Comfort and cruising ability second to none. Trading the car in in September for smaller ix35 but will stick with Hyndai as value for money and reliabilty cannot be beaten.

Hyundai Terracan 2004

I bought a second-hand Terracan after having a new van (twin axle), we love it, would have another one tommorow. Only done 40,000 miles, has anyone else had trouble with their immobiliser’s? Ours has been causing trouble with the central locking the car lock’s itself have had it in dealership and they have said it’s the immobiliser will cost over £350.00, as luck would have it it went wrong just before the warranty ran out how lucky were we? Question: Would we buy another one? OH YES! Love the car to bits MY WIFE’S LEARNIG TO DRIVE IN IT, NEVER SEEN PEOPLE MOVE SO FAST WHEN THEY SEE IT COMING TOWARDS THEM WITH L PLATES ON IT! She even calls it ’Terry’

Responses to this review

John, we left our Terry in Oz when we moved back here last year, and we really miss it. Wish I’d brought it back. Anyway, re. your immobiliser, our Terry was incredibly reliable, absolutely no problems with it at all, and it has a reputation for being pretty bullet proof. Think you might have a one-off problem; Hyundai will no doubt sort it out for you. If you use it a lot for towing, or off-road, would be worth exploring the Tow’n’Trek pack if you haven’t already got it - Tim Lux from England

Thanks for your reply however I have been to the garage we bought the car from and told we need a new loom at £2,500+ plus this leaves us with no car for about two weeks. I have spoke to other Terracan owners and they have had the same problem had a loom and it’s not worked! Now spoke to a mate’s machanic who told me it is the central locking relay which will cost me about £7-8, what a difference - John Lawton from Staffordshire

Hi, we have the same problem. Took it to our Hyundai dealer and was told they could not find a fault and the next time it happened to tow truck it in, at our expence of course. Told us they had never heard of the problem before. Have talked to a lot of Terracan owners in our travels and all have the same problem. So much for our Hyundai warranty. Not worth a cracker - Linda Larkins from Australia

Hyundai Terracan 2004

Terracan my first 4x4 - puchased March ’04. Hobbies shooting / fishing so some off road. Impressed - in low ratio will climb a wall! (AT tyres - not noisy). Initially mainly motorway / A roads 28 mpg and annual mileage 32K but since retiring much less. Now coming up to 6 years old 100,000 miles and apart from minor replacements - all taken car of under warrenty - trouble free. Due for MoT and I know some suspension wear (rattle} but if this cost me a few £100 so what as my only expense to date is serving costs - far too high at main dealers. I’m now using local garage 1/2 the price. Overall I’m greatly impressed with my Terracan and as it’s current trade price is less than 1st years depreciation on new intend running to death.

Hyundai Terracan 2005

I purchased from new, complete with all toys, leather, blacked windows etc. It cost around £22,000. Superbly comfortable whilst motorway cruising and easy to drive around town. However taken off road and its a different story. Have been bogged down in mud, it struggled to go up a gentle muddy grassy slope and it struggled in a few inches of snow. Despite being in low ratio, no power is being transferred to the front wheels. I returned to dealer but unfortunately it had changed hands and no longer ’Reekie’ who were great. The dealer found nothing untoward. Unfortunately I do a bit of off road driving during the shooting season and I no longer have any confidence in this motor’s off road ability. I’m now on the lookout for something more suitable, like a scrappy old Ford Maverick which my friend uses without fault.

Responses to this review

Not sure if you have got the problem sorted but I had the same thing with my 05 Terracan, the front wheels would not engage. The mechanism used to engage the front wheels uses a vacuum run from a pump on the alternator, when the switch is put into 4wd it activates a solenoid which in turn actuates the vacuum and engages the front wheels, it may take a few feet for them to work as a splined shaft has to align in the front dif. If there is even the smallest of holes in the pipe going from the CADS (Centre Axle Disconnect System) to the actuator then you will not get 4wd, mice chewed a hole in mine. Main dealer charged £75 to replace pipe and the car works fine. Any further info needed then email me - sub-one@tiscali.co.uk, i have an electronic manual. Cheers - Dave Piper from Aberdeenshire

Hi Steven, sorry to bother you but I see that you have an electronic manual for your Terracan. I have just bought a 2004 2.9 crdi Terracan and need to do a few repairs etc. Could you let me know who I could contact to get a copy of the manual? My e-mail addresses are - grahamh@mcmotor.co.za or ghowes@eject.co.za - Graham Howes from South Africa

Hi. Don’t know if you’re still around but the front wheels on my Terracan 2004 are also not engaging. I would love more info if possible - Jill from Perth, Australia

Hyundai Terracan 2.9 diesel, auto 2005

I purchased my Terracan in May 2005 with 20,000 on the clock from a main dealer. It’s spacious, extremely comfortable, 100%reliable, economical,a pleasure to drive, very well built and superb on tyres. It came with factory supplied Kumho tyres; 35,000 on clock when I had to replaced them the front pair; chose the with same tyres, which were very reasonably priced. Back tyres are still original and now at 40,000 on clock now with still plenty of meat left on them. Wife loves comfort and privacy glass in back and there is plenty of space in the rear for larger items. I drove mercedes prior to this car, no more though,really gone down hill since chrysler bought them. Would I buy another terracan? YES, but at the moment very happy wth the one I’ve got.

Hyundai Terracan diesel 1993

Hi. Bought the car new 01/08/93, great motor, no problems, never let me down, usual trade and caravan towing, done 55,000 miles to july 09 had four services, paid £17,500 on the road including tow bar, over mats, full tank, road tax. Still worth around £3,850-00 turned down offer, decided to keep as second car.

Hyundai Terracan 2007

Exchanged my Nissan X-Trail for the Terracan. The X Trail should have easily handled towing my 1500kg caravan but it struggled so I went looking for a suitable vehicle. Went to Land Rover agent in Christchurch who did not show any interest in my needs. Across the road was a Hyundai agent who recommended the Terracan for my requirements. This is the best advice I have ever been given! It’s a great car, good fuel returns and a great towing vehicle. This has been Land Rover’s loss and Hyundai’s gain. It’s a shame the car is no longer in production.

Hyundai Terracan 2.9 t/diesel ltd ed auto 2007

Bought new in 07 for a great price of £17,500 after looking at all the other manufacturers who were charging thousands more for very little extra other than name badge. Have had 2 years trouble free motoring and returning 30/35 to the gallon on runs (not bad for a 2.9 engine). Build quality is very good with masses of space to carry loads and she is very comfortable to drive. Downside is the servicing cost which are high for what you get but you can cut these charges by half at normal garages and still maintain your 5 year warranty as long as genuine Hyundai parts are used and your service record book is stamped. Take a test drive and see what you get for the money.

Hyundai Terracan Manual Limited 2007

What a car for the money! I needed a heavy duty towcar... badge kudos who cares? 36 miles to the gallon for a 3 litre turbo diesel... how do they do it? What a shame that they have stopped making it.

Hyundai Terracan ltd auto 2007

Was in market for a replacement for wife’s Hyundai 2.7v6 auto Santa Fe (fabulous car - 5 years trouble free motoring... only problem was high fuel consumption) when we saw the Terracan LTD Auto... looked great in black with full leather interior and after a drive and bit of bartering we got her with a discount and a decent trade in for the Santa. Two (trouble free) years later we still can’t fault it. She’s comfortable, easy to drive and adaptable (I’m 6ft and wife is 4’11’’) and surprisingly economical... On a good run 35/36 mpg - shame they stopped making them for the UK from 2008 as I would probably buy another for my son and his family in a few years (but they’re so reliable he’ll probably have a second-hand one).

Hyundai Terracan 2005

You certainly get what you pay for! I got a second hand 2005 last year for under £9000; outstanding value for money. Ride height - excellent, consumption - very reasonable considering the engine size; it looks the part too. The only worry I have is when the UK government start to hammer us 4x4 users for extra road tax. For a government that takes a 75% profit at the pumps and just throws my hard earned tax money at every problem I have serious misgivings. But enjoy this car if you can get one. You’ll feel the difference stepping down from a Land Rover but the savings more than make up for it.

Hyundai Terracan 2006

We bought our Terracan Ltd edition brand new in 2006 after wife had an accident, we had Shogun but the wife could not get in it. I must be honest I was a bit nervous of the change, but I was in for a shock - our Terracan came out better on running costs - a lot more to the gallon and I had a manual Shogun and we have the auto in the Terracan. I would recommend the Terracan to anybody that is looking for a 4x4 that is priced £18750.00 that has got to be value for money for a new motor loads cheaper than the rest of the 4x4s on the market. It gives a good ride, good driving position, also good for towing 24ft caravan with no problems, the only quibble that I have is that the Aussies get a 7 seater version and we don’t. Also the wife loves the car and if she’s happy so am I. Ha Ha, nice quality leather seats, and the question I have been asked would I buy another Terracan? The answer to that is yes - like a shot, why pay more for a badge on another make like BMW X3, X5, Shoguns and others...

Hyundai Terracan 2007

Had the car from new, up to now only the glove compartment catch has broken in that time, other than that hassle free. I thought the price new was very good value for money. Had four Nissan Terranos before the Terracan and I think that the Terranos are still a better stylish looking motor, but I had lots of trouble with them, door catches, leaking windscreen washers etc, even though they weren’t very old motors. Up till now I would highly recommend the Terracan.

Hyundai Terracan 2007

Love the car. Warranty service at Hyundai dealer was expensive, that is really my only complaint.

Hyundai Terracan Highlander 2.9CRDi 2006

I am in Sydney, Australia. I have the 2.9 diesel in the Highlander version, which is no longer available. Its got the leather, albeit not great leather, and a variable 4WD that cuts in automatically when required. Its very versatile with the fold down third row of seats. Powerful, remarkably quiet for a diesel, and far less thirsty than the petrol version. Its a shame with Hyundai pushing the Sante Fe and Tucson so much that the Terracan never gets a mention as its a solid, value for money, reliable vehicle.

Hyundai Terracan 2005

I bought the car after owning a Sante Fe for two years. The Terracan is a lot of motor for the money. A Range Rover it is not but you must consider that you could buy 3 Terracans for the price of a Rangey! It has been a totally reliable, very adaptable car, cruises very comfortably but gets a little noisy once you exceed the legal limit of the British motorway. The ride is a little hard when the vehicle is lightly loaded but that is not a problem when flying up the M6. Overtaking is never a problem - in fact when I last had it serviced the petrol powered courtesy car felt like a slug on sleeping tablets. I am looking to replace mine now with a ............. Terracan! but this time I will go for the autobox and leather options.

Hyundai Terracan Limited Edition 2007

This is my 2nd Terracan; upgraded to Ltd Ed. I previously had Range Rovers and thought they were the bees knees, a friend bought a Terracan to tow heavy plant about, he was so pleased he advised me to change. I had a test drive and was so surprised; it was GOODBYE Range Rover and hello Terracan. I have got to concede they are a fantastic vehicle and what a great price! How do they do it?? And it comes with 5yrs unconditional warranty. My advice - if its a 4x4 you want, get yourself what I consider (after 12 Range Rovers) to be the best 4x4 on the road today, for value and performance. Be careful though, they are very fast and accelerate like a car.

Hyundai Terracan 3.5V6 7 seater 2004

We currently live in Perth, Australia and bought a Terracan with the 3.5V6 petrol engine, auto, 7 seats and Tow n Trek pack. This transforms the lumpy suspension. The 3.5 engine is brilliant - smooth, powerful, but drinks fuel like its going out of fashion. Not a problem in Oz, but we’re thinking of shipping it back to the UK, and would be an issue there. Servicing here is cheap, which is good because it needs servicing every few thousand miles. Brilliant off-road: use it a lot in the bush and it takes pretty much anything you throw at it. Its an old Shogun underneath that has been fitted with additional off-road protection, so its a proven chassis etc. The auto + v6 power make it great on sand: many a Landcruiser / Patrol driver has had a shock as I’ve driven past them, and with my tyre pressures still on normal ! 7 seats are really useful, but not an option in the UK apparently. If they could sell this version in the UK with reasonable fuel consumption would be amazing value for money. They’re a similar price over here, but can be imported: note the Aussie warranty won’t be valid though, and parts for the engine would need to come from Korea. Great no nonsense off-roader that’s OK on road with the Tow n Trek pack fitted.

Hyundai Terracan ltd edition auto 2007

Bought new march 2007 at a brilliant price of £18000 including reversing sensors and metallic paint just had first service at 9800 miles by Hyundai agent (£280) very expensive for a basic oil and filter change. The car itself is a joy to drive with its high driving position and very comfortable seats, road and wind noise is minimal although on B roads the ride can be lumpy due to the suspension being rather firm but A road and motorway driving pose no problems . The engine is very responsive and accelerates readily overtaking at high speeds is no problem, build quality is good no rattles or bits breaking off, a full load of passengers plus luggage pose no problems the boot area is huge. MPG averages between 30/35 per gallon not bad for a 2.9 ltr 4+4. All in all a lot of vehicle for a very reasonable outlay.

Hyundai Terracan 2007

We are now on our second Terracan, a great car for the money and as we have a horse and do a lot of towing we needed something on the large side. Tows very well although on the auto gearbox when towing the fuel consumption is quite a bit lower. Highly recommended.

Hyundai Terracan 4x4 2.9 CRDT 5dr 2006

We have 2 children and two lab dogs so needed something with a good amount of space. I didn’t want to be paying over the odds for a plush interior that was going to get some severe punishment, so the basic interior you get with the Terracan was perfect for us, but may not suit everyone. For the price it’s an amazingly adept car and seems to take everything in it’s stride. I’ve had no problems with it at all and have now had it for 12 months. Very good cost effective car to buy and run.