Review
The Terracan is perfect for anybody who finds themselves getting nostalgic about the way off-roaders used to be. But compared to far more advanced modern rivals it feels cheap and crude.
The brutish styling certainly gives it plenty of road presence, with a more-than-passing resemblance to the previous generation Mitsubishi Shogun from which it evolved. The interior feels equally old-fashioned, with very cheap feeling materials and some very 'seventies fake wood trim. There's plenty of space inside for five occupants and the boot is massive - almost big enough for the third row of seats that it doesn't offer, limiting practicality against seven-seat rivals (including Hyundai's own Santa Fe.)
On-road performance is dreadful. The Terracan rides poorly, corners with lots of roll and runs out of grip early in proceedings. Motorway cruising is loud and windswept, while vague steering keeps the driver busy keeping everything pointed in the right direction. As you'd expect, it is pretty talented off-road - but that's hardly the point for an SUV intended to appeal to modern buyers.
Only one engine is available, a 2.9 litre turbodiesel, which gives adequate performance at the cost of plenty of noise and indifferent fuel economy. If you need a tough, uncomplaining workhorse to take you off the beaten track then the Terracan is worthy of consideration. Otherwise, avoid.