The Terracan that we tested had a pretty impressive equipment list. Missing though was a music system. Hyundai is still working out the spec details of the variant that they are going to launch in India, and we are sure that they will be doing a very sensible job. In case they decide to go in for a fully laden vehicle then expect it to have a high end music system probably with a VCD player as well. And the price should be around the Rs 16 lakh mark. However I have this sinking feeling that Hyundai wants to eat up the competition as an early evening snack - the music system then might come in as an option but the good news would be that the Terracan will come in at around the Rs 15 lakh mark.

Hyundai definitely did not waste nearly a year if they were to wait for the CRDi engine and then price it exorbitantly high. Although Hyundai has repeatedly been giving indications that the price to expect is around Rs 18 lakh, we think at that price they would not be having any second thoughts of equipping the Terracan with a very high end music system.

For a vehicle that compares to the Pajero 3.2 in the engine/performance and space aspect and with the Pajero 2.8 in all the other aspects a price of around Rs 16 lakh would spell the end of the aspirations of the other players in the high-end sports utility vehicle. Given Hyundai’s aggressive pricing tactics and the fact that it has waited for its competitors to launch their SUVs first all signal that the King is going to arrive in style.

The 2.9-litre CRDI engine produces power and torque by the bucketful (top left, facing page). The interiors are spacious, seats comfortable but the centre console with its fake wood finish fails to enhance the huge dash (left, facing page). Instrument binnacle too fails to impress. The 4WD shift on the fly actuated by a rotary knob. Fake wood door inserts clash with the leather upsetting an otherwise clean and classy appearance. Tag a literal translation of Korean to English?
Rear passenger space is more than adequate even with the driver seat reclined and drawn right behind (above). Like other SUVs, boot space with seats folded is cavernous.