Both the Terracan and Terracan Highlander V6 4WD seven-seat wagons sport a new dark grey mesh grille and headlight housing and a new design for its 16” alloy wheels.

These appearance changes are pointers to the now standard inclusion of an MP3-CD audio, ABS anti-skid brakes with electronic brake force distribution (already on Highlander) and soon, 25mm larger-diameter disc brake rotors all round, plus some other minor upgrades.

A limited-time launch offer of free automatic will also apply to both models, offering savings of $2100.

Recommended retail prices* for manual or automatic start from just $34,990 for Terracan and $38,990 for the Terracan Highlander with its full-time on-demand 4WD with Active Torque Transfer, leather and new-design woodgrain interior trim and chrome exterior hardware.

Diesel prospects

Meanwhile local engineering trials and marketing feasibility studies of Terracan powered by Hyundai’s state-of-the-art 2.9 litre turbocharged and intercooled common-rail diesel engine are progressing and should conclude within the next couple of months.

The petrol Terracan offers surging V6 performance, elegant dual-purpose style, round town ride comfort, 2.5 tonnes towing capacity and real 4WD credentials with its heavy-duty separate chassis and dual range transmission.

Performance is brisk yet quiet, its smooth 3.5 litre quad-cam V6 engine delivering maximum torque of 302 Nm at just 3000rpm and maximum power of 145 kW at 5500 rpm.

The standard Terracan 4WD system can shift ‘on-the-fly’ from 2WD (rear drive) to 4WD High up to 80kph and both High and Low ranges lock drive into 50/50 front/rear. A limited-slip rear differential is standard on both models.

Standard kit also includes pollen-filtering air-conditioning, two airbags, cruise control, remote central locking with alarm/immobilizer and electric windows and mirrors.

Terracan’s overall look is of elegantly straight-edged body lines and prominent wheel arch flares integrated into the front and rear bumpers and side cladding.

The neat 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’s spacious interior has contoured front seats, a wide, lidded console and legroom aplenty. The driver’s seat adjusts for height, tilt and lumbar support and the passenger seat has a storage drawer underneath. Both seats have tilting head restraints and seatback storage pockets.

The centre seats split 60/40 and double fold forward to offer up to 1.56 metres of storage floor length when the two third row seats—which have vertically adjustable head restraints—are folded up off the floor each side.

Like all Hyundai models, Terracan assures owners with its 5-year/130,000km warranty—the car industry’s best, continuously-offered factory new car warranty.

*plus on-road costs