The Hyundai Terracan is the mid-size SUV Hyundai built from 2001 to 2007, and it stayed in production in China under the Hawtai brand until 2011. Its shape was previewed by the Hyundai Highland concept, its chassis came from the second-generation Mitsubishi Pajero, and its name is taken from Tarascan, a Mesoamerican empire in west-central Mexico. The Veracruz replaced it.
Hyundai Terracan at a glance
| Maker | Hyundai Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001–2007; in China until 2011 |
| Class | mid-size SUV |
| Chassis | separate ladder frame, derived from the second-generation Mitsubishi Pajero |
| Bodies | five-door wagon |
| Diesel engines | 2.9-litre Hyundai J four, 2.5-litre Mitsubishi 4D56 four |
| Petrol engine | 3.5-litre Hyundai Sigma V6 |
| Low range | standard on all models |
| Australian trims | base and Highlander |
| Highlander equipment | leather seats, climate control, automatic 4WD differential |
| Name origin | Tarascan empire, west-central Mexico |
| Replaced by | Hyundai Veracruz |
| Also built as | Hawtai Terracan in China |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Hyundai Terracan.
History of the Hyundai Terracan
The Terracan was previewed in concept form as the Hyundai Highland, and it kept a separate ladder frame rather than the car-based construction that was becoming common in the class. That chassis came from the second-generation Mitsubishi Pajero. At its launch in 2001 Hyundai offered three engines: a 3.5-litre Sigma V6 petrol, a 2.5-litre Mitsubishi diesel, and a more economical 2.9-litre Hyundai J-series diesel sold in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Australian cars came in two trims. The Highlander had leather seats, climate control and an automatic four-wheel-drive differential that engaged four-wheel drive on the move, while all models had low-range gearing and the separate ladder frame. Changes were few: the second year of production brought only extra colours, and 2005 a light facelift.
In China the Terracan was built and sold by Hawtai from 2003 to 2011 in a joint venture with Hyundai that lasted until 2010. Only the facelifted version was offered there, with a 2.4-litre 4G64 petrol, a 2.5-litre diesel, the 2.9-litre J-series diesel or the 3.5-litre Sigma V6, and a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Hyundai replaced the Terracan with the Veracruz.
Design and features
- Ladder frame: a separate chassis from the Mitsubishi Pajero, with low-range gearing.
- Three engines: two diesels and a 3.5-litre V6 petrol.
- Highlander trim: leather, climate control and automatic four-wheel drive in Australia.
- Chinese life: built by Hawtai until 2011, four years after Hyundai stopped.
Hyundai Terracan versions
- Terracan (2001–2004): the original car with three engine options.
- Terracan facelift (2005): light restyling.
- Highlander: the Australian top trim with leather and climate control.
- Hawtai Terracan: Chinese production from 2003 to 2011.
The Terracan followed the Galloper in Hyundai’s range and was replaced by the Veracruz. More Hyundai models are in the Hyundai collection.
Video: Hyundai Terracan 2.9 CRDi: Offroad-Tour durch Rumänien
Video by Motorvision Deutschland on YouTube.
Sources
- Hyundai Terracan, English Wikipedia: chassis, engines, trims, Chinese production, replacement
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