Hyundai Terracan Hylander Diesel Outback Reliability ?

Without knowing the age of the vehicle, how many KM's it has done etc, it must be said the reputation of the vehicle outside of warranty isn't the best. One cannot predict what may or may not happen with your vehicle during your trip but perhaps some essential spares on board would help. Obviously your vehicle maybe ok and you may not have any issues, however you asked the question so any feedback is good hopefully.

Here are some reviews and some of the failings of the vehicle.

terracan Reviews

I have a 2005 Terrican manual diesel and I an setting off at the end of June through the centre over to the West then down the west coast , across the Nullabour to Home in Vic.
I have done a few long trips with mine, towing a 17'6'' pop top, albeit not in the centre, but around Broken Hill, up to Qld and a few inland trips and have had no trouble.
I suggest you check the injector lines to make sure they are not leaking, and if you use the same dealer as me in Frankston, don't take their word that they are OK, have a diesel expert check them out.
I don't agree that once they are out of warranty there is a problem, you may have to "discuss" your problem direct with Hyundai, and you will find they willl look after you.
Take a couple of spare filters, and if you haven't had the belt replaced for 90,000K's have it replaced. You may need to mortgage the house for that one.
Then usual precautions you would do for any other vehicle, check suspension, tyres etc.

I have a 2005 CRDI and have towed a Coromal Camper (about 1600Kg loaded) for about 20,000kms with no worries at all. I have done the Birdsville Track and plenty of dirt roads with no worries. I have 115,000Kms and it is going great. I did have a few issues that were all done under warranty with no worries.
I would not hesitate to take my Terracan anywhere in Australia. I have a XLT Top Ender (Caravan) on order and intend to do heaps of outback towing when I get it next month.
Plenty of people knock the Terracan but when I bought mine (New) there was nothing with its capabilities around for the price. A very capable 4WD. Just keep up the services and it should serve you well in the future.
The Bigfella

They are a great tow vehicle...but some have had problems ( like any make )..

Like any CRDI, don't fillup with bad fuel ( high turnover places like truckstops etc are the places to go )

Have fun and don't worry too much about the Terracan....it'll be fine !!

I have owned two Terracans over the last ten years and had no problems with them at all, and have done lots of 4wd tracks and camper towing all over the country. Any brand can have its problems! The only thing I would recommend is a suspension upgrade with a small lift, I have TJM shocks and rear springs with the front torsion bars wound up slightly, this makes a vast improvement. I had a GU Patrol, and I find the Terracan to be a better tow vehicle! The places you mention should be no problem at all, have a great time!

Danny

Many Terracans have done similar trips, so don't be put off by stories of unreliability of Terracans by sources biased towards Landcruisers and Patrols.

Having said that, ANY vehicle can break down, so precautions such as appropriate spares etc shoud be taken. Definitely get some spare fuel filters in case a bad load of diesel is taken on board.

If you have not already become familiar with the Terracan forums at Australia4WD, check them out - especially the 'Chat' and 'Technical' forums. Links are as follows:
http://forum.australia4wd.com/index.php?/forum/48-terracan-chat/
http://forum.australia4wd.com/index.php?/forum/50-terracan-technical/

You will find these forums are a goldmine of information - eg sources for cheap Delphi fuel filters.

good luck,
glids

I have until recently owned a 2005 Terracan highlander CRDI with the Trek and Tow suspension which I have sold at 105 000km just out of warranty. I towed a 16'6" poptop up to Kunnunurra from Perth and back again with no problems. However I had a blowout and found that the highlanders tyres were difficult to get as it was an odd size apparently. I have also used the Terracan to tow a 19'6" semi off road caravan from perth up through the Great Central Road to Uluru then up to Darwin and back down the west coast. The Terracan only used 16.2 litres /100km for the trip. After having some concerns about the weight of the caravan a weighbridge indicated that it was 2800 kg without food but fully loaded which is above its 2500kg towing capacity.
I have since replaced the Terracan with a 200 series VX Landcruiser with the V8 Diesel for the towing capacity only. We loved the Terracan.