Hyundai’s first attempt at a full size seven-passenger SUV – the Hyundai Terracan based on Mitsubishi Pajero underpinings – was pretty much a failure. I haven’t seen it on the road anywhere, and there are talks that there are only 2 in Malaysia, both being owned by people related to the Hyundai distributorship here.
Hyundai is giving the segment a shot again with the newly launched Hyundai Veracruz, a mid-ish full-ish sized luxury SUV named after a coastal Mexican state. Hyundai says the Veracruz will have more cargo volume than the bigger Mercedes benz GL, provided it’s third row seats that provide it’s 7-seater capacity are stowed away.
Power will come from a 265 horsepower 3.8 litre V6 or a 3.0 litre turbodiesel, and the Hyundai Veracruz is expected to be unveiled to the public early January 2007 at the Detroit Motor Show.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
I'm not surprised the Terracan didn't sell very well – it's an ugly, stodgy SUV. This one seems like a vast improvement, though the proportions are a bit quirky.
many korean suv trying to be car like with bow and tie trying to avoid ditch.
well suv at least got some angular part of its body and subtly curved for a MANly attitude . and wheel arch and skid plate look prominently as if ready to go wild in the mud (though not in reality …sayang it) , that what i call SPORT UTILITY vehical.
protonGirL
I didn't know that the Hyundai Terracan was based on Mitsubishi Pajero underpinings. no wonder it resembles the pajero so much. I myself haven't seen it in malaysia, but in korea, u can see it quite often, but of course not as often as seeing kia sorento, ssangyong's rexton, and hyundai's own santa fe. anyways, i like this veracruz alot, u should take a look at the interior of the suv, it has class n it's really luxurious. they even say their design concept is sleek and sexy….
the front looks kinda cheap..like the present kia sorento..since its a 256hp 3.8L V6 or 3.0 turbodiesel it should be something like the audi Q4 or the new XC90.
I presume it looked really sleek during the concept stage, but "toned down" for embodiment and production? Perhaps only a handful of manufacturers are bold enough to produce and sell radical designs?
Saw a TunaCan (Terracan) today in Ampang area, with a red plate.
this shit looks far better than the new cr-v! simplistic and clean-cut design.
The front badge area should be improved a bit?? looks strange in the front.. others are just great.. for Hyundai cars…
it looks like wat honda call crv .
Hey Paul, Hyundai's second shot on 7 seater SUV is not Veracruz. It's the new Santa Fe. It's on sale for a few months already in Singapore. Very big and spacious. The design is very obviously influenced by the harrier but very stylishly done.
Check it out here….
http://newsantafe.hyundai-motor.com/index_sub.htm…
I see a combination of the Terracan and Santa Fe in the headlights, grille air dam look like Honda design.
Dimensions:
Length/Width/Height – 4842/1971/1805 (Veracruz)
– 4695/1840/1850 (Fortuner)
This SUV is a giant monster!! Bigger than the Escape, CRV, Sorento.
Dimension wise it would be comparable to Land Cruiser, RAnge Rover, Fortuner, Pajero and other full-sized SUVs. Must be damn expensive too!
Better set my eyes on Fortuner, hope they do some face touch up here and there early next year.
When is Potong coming up with their SUV? next 3 years?
this one is much bigger than crv.. and more horsepower as well. 3.8 v6 engine.. wow…
just read some review online, and its rated better than lexus from toyota. haha.. wondering what the 3.8l engine car will cost when get to MY