Hyundai Terracan

Terracan, for those avid students of languages is a mix of Latin and Turkish. Terra for Earth, and Kahn for king. Hyundai feels such a regal badge endows the Terracan with a strong identity and sends a challenge to its competitors.

The Terracan doubles Hyundai's 4WD line-up, sitting above the Santa Fe, and will appeal to those looking for a "fully-fledged family offroader".

Built to handle the rough and tumble of the Aussie Outback, the Terracan has been 'civilised' in certain areas to make it easier to live with.

The Terracan is available in two grades: Terracan and Terracan Highlander. Pricing at launch is $36,990 for the Terracan and $42,990 for the Highlander.

The Hyundai Terracan is similar in size to the Toyota Prado. It is powered by a 3.5lt V-six engine, a bigger version of the 3lt V-six we know from the Grandeur. Peak power is 145kW - slightly more than the Pajero's 140kW and the Prado's 132kW. Both models come with the choice of 5-sp manual and 4-sp automatic transmissions.

Hyundai has kept this to a minimum, though the Terracan still tips the scales at a weighty 2030kg compared to the Pajero at 2070kg and the Prado at 1958kg. It features independent double wishbone suspension up front and a live (or rigid) rear axle, which Hyundai feels is better suited to towing.

The first real difference between the two Terracan models is the 4WD system. The Terracan has a part-time 4WD system with an electronic shift feature which allows the driver to change from 2WD to 4WD at speeds of up to 80kmh.

The Highlander features a full-time 'on-demand' system with Active Torque Transfer, or ATT. Simply put, this system delivers torque to the rear wheels until it senses slippage, and then re-apportions up to 50 percent of the torque to the front wheels.

Interior equipment levels are quite high, and compare favourably with the Terracan's immediate competition. Air conditioning, CD player, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, cruise control and a height adjustable drivers' seat are all fitted standard. The Highlander model adds leather seats, and a woodgrain dashboard and door inserts.

Dual front airbags are de riguer on any serious player these days, and the Terracan is no different, though you'll have to stump up for the Highlander if you want anti-lock brakes. Interestingly, the Terracan has bigger rear brake discs than the front, quite out of the ordinary considering the front usually does the majority of the braking.

Terracan's main strength has to be the 3.5lt V-six engine. Willing and powerful, it's at its best over 2500rpm, and revs eagerly right through to 6000rpm. The four speed automatic we drove changes smoothly, though is a little unwilling to kick down a gear on slopes. It requires a committed and well buried foot to encourage it to drop back a cog.

The Terracan's rear suspension is very firm, and doesn't match well to the front, with a tendency to wander over broken surfaces. Hyundai tell us it has been purposely set up this way to cope with the extra stress of towing.

The 4WD system has to be one of the easiest we've yet encountered, including Nissan's dashboard-mounted dial-based system. Throw the Highlander's gear selector into neutral and twist the dial between high and low. That's it. And for off-road adventurers, the low range first gear is endowed with impressive levels of engine braking for those steep, gravelly descents.

Overall, the Terracan presents an interesting package, and one worthy of consideration, especially given its sizeable price advantage over the competition. Had Hyundai spent more time ironing out the too-soft front and too-hard rear suspension, the Terracan could have been an even more serious threat to the Toyota Prado and Mistubishi Pajero.