2007 Hyundai Terracan

The SLX lifts Terracan's looks with a new body colour roof extension spoiler atop the tailgate window, and matt black side steps with alloy chequerplate inserts. Available in Terracan's three most popular exterior colours of white with medium-silver bumpers and side cladding, silver with grey embellishments and solid black monotone, the SLX is based on the entry Terracan model with its part-time, dual range-geared 4WD system and cloth interior trim. Terracan SLX offers the choice of the fuel economy and torque of high-tech common-rail turbo-diesel or the smoothness of V6 petrol power via its 2.9 litre CRDi twin-cam 16-valve turbo-diesel engine or its 3.5 litre, quad-cam, 24-valve V6 petrol powerplant.

The diesel delivers a healthy 345 Nm of maximum torque from 1750rpm to 3000 rpm just ahead of its 120kW peak power at 3800rpm. The petrol V6 ups the power stakes to peak at 143kW at 5500rpm and 302Nm of maximum torque at 4000rpm. Since its launch two years ago, the CRDi variant has proven to be the popular choice, now accounting for over 95 per cent of Terracan sales. The seven seat Terracan SLX with the V6 manual is priced at $36,490, the automatic at $38,590, the CRDi SLX manual at $38,490 and the automatic at $40,590. Terracan SLX features Electronic Shift Transfer which can shift from RWD (rear wheel drive) to 4WD High on the move up to 80kph. Both High and Low ranges lock drive into 50/50 front/rear and back to RWD via a Centre Axle Disconnect System which disengages drive to the front wheels. A limited-slip rear differential is standard on all all models. Automatic Terracans have an extra low gearing hill descent facility which engages when low range and first or reverse gear are selected and no throttle applied.

Full features
Standard kit includes pollen filtering air-conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels including a full-size alloy spare, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, MP3-capable CD/FM/AM audio, remote central locking with alarm/immobilizer, electric windows and mirrors, four 12 volt power outlets and roof rails with integrated carry cross bars. Terracan's overall look is of elegantly straight edged body lines, deep vision glasshouse and prominent wheel arch flares integrated into the front and rear bumpers and side cladding. The uncluttered rear tucks the full size alloy spare wheel out of vision's way underneath and the top-hinged tailgate offers ready access and weather protection when opened.

Terracan is roomy and interior trim is grey toned, with white-faced instrument dials and chrome finish. The front seats are contoured for comfort, have plenty of leg room and are separated by a wide, bi-level centre console with a height-adjustable padded armrest. Both have tilt and height-adjusting head restraints and seatback storage pockets. The driver's seat adjusts for height, tilt, backrest rake and lumbar support and the passenger seat has a storage drawer underneath. The centre row seats split 60/40, have four-stage backrest rake adjustments including vertical and tumble-fold forward to offer up to 1.56 metres of storage floor length when the two third row seats are retracted. The two separate third row seats offer mid size kids good leg room and side vision, thanks to Terracan's deep side glass. The seats also have vertically adjustable head restraints, backrest rake adjustments and they fold up off the floor each side.

Diesel deal
Terracan CRDi was one of the first large 4WDs to introduce the benefits of fuel economy, quietness, strong acceleration and torque for towing, lower emissions and virtually no smoke or diesel smell with its new age, high technology, common-rail, direct-injection, turbo-diesel engine. Fuel economy is a major reason people buy diesel 4WDs and Terracan CRDi delivers with the manual rated at just 10.1 litres/100km and the automatic just 10.3, according to the ADR81/01 government formula which is a combined city and highway regime lab test but biased to city usage. This would extend Terracan's 75-litre tank range well past 800km of highway touring or over 700km for mainly urban driving, depending on variables. Attentive and skilled highway driving can see over 1000km per tankful over not too hilly terrain. Cruising in overdrive at an indicated 110kph in Terracan CRDi is quiet, with the automatic revving at only 2200rpm and the manual at 2600rpm, both well within the engine's fat and flat maximum torque table with ready acceleration immediately on tap if needed and permitted.

The CRDi's performance virtually equates with the petrol powered Terracan but is achieved at lower engine revs. The diesel engine nestles under a massive air-to-air intercooler which is fed fresh cool air by the CRDi Terracan's hood air scoop - the CRDi's main distinguishing exterior feature from its V6 petrol sibling. Heavy duty fuel and air filters are fitted to CRDi Terracan to guard against the sometimes varying levels of diesel fuel purity in Australia and the omnipresence of dust in some places. Terracan SLX brakes reassuringly with big four wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS and EBD, 303 mm diameter up front and 315 mm at the rear incorporating concentric drum parking brakes, with twin pot calipers and actuated through 8" and 9" tandem master cylinders. Ride comfort is a highlight with Terracan employing independent front suspension via double wishbones and torsion bars while stabiliser bars front and rear check cornering body roll. The rear rides on long-travel coil springs damped with gas shock absorbers while its live axle is located by a five-link arrangement.

Towing
Towing is a forte of Terracan, which can haul a braked trailer of up to 2500 kg. Hyundai Accessories offer its Terracan-specific Trek'n'Tow Suspension Kit, which is specifically designed for towing and also offers enhanced handling dynamics with top ride comfort on and off road. Trek'n'Tow is the only manufacturer-developed suspension kit rated to maximise Terracan's tow capacity to its full 2.5 tonne capacity braked trailer load, achieved by boosting its tow-ball load mass capacity to 250kg from 200kg and trimming the car level when towing substantial loads. Ride comfort is superior to harder-riding aftermarket suspension kits because Trek'n'Tow uses premium, variable-rate German cold-wound springs and bushes and patented-valve Californian specialist shock absorbers. The kit retails from $2,585 plus fitting.
Terracan SLX also comes with a five-year/130,000km new car manufacturer warranty.