Hyundai Galloper is a full-size Korean SUV. Hyundai took the concept of the popular Japanese jeep, which was discontinued and created its own car. In this review, you will learn about all the features, advantages and disadvantages of this machine.
History of creation
It all started with the Japanese company Mitsubishi and their Pajero SUV. The Japanese concept and platform were a win-win option. Firstly, the Japanese automakers of those times have been making their cars for centuries. The same Pajero is produced to this day. Secondly, Korean companies of those times did not yet create fundamentally new own cars. Their entire production looked something like this: the basis was taken from the successful model of another company, everything was copied, right down to the design, and produced under its own logo. Hyundai Galloper is one such car.
In 1991, Mitsibishi discontinued the first generation Pajero, which the Koreans took advantage of. For the Japanese manufacturer, it was time to create a new modern model, and for Hyundai it was an ideal option for a second-tier brand.
The release of this SUV under the Korean emblem began in 1991. The decline in car production came in 2003. Now move on to the review of the car itself.
Hyundai Galloper: photo and description of appearance
The appearance of the car from its progenitor did not differ very much. The overall square shape of the body is preserved. Changed the front optics, bumpers and rear. The design of the car corresponded to all the canons of the off-road class of that time: rough, uncouth forms, a high landing, which is comparable to a truck, and on the tailgate there is a spare wheel covered with plastic protection.
But it cannot be said that the car is a complete copy of the first generation Pajero. Korean designers made a lot of efforts to create a new image of a car. In 1998, the Koreans at one of the international car dealerships introduced the so-called Hyundai Galloper 2. The smoother corners of the clumsy Pajero gave the car a friendly appearance.
Vehicle interior
But Korean engineers and designers, unfortunately, did not get to the interior decoration. The front panel of the SUV looks too cheap: rough plastic, poorly fitted parts and constant creak give 100% cheapness.
Owner reviews claim that ergonomics are also at a disgusting level. The dashboard is as inconvenient as possible: the tachometer and speedometer are too far apart, which interferes with their reading. Even relying on the fact that the car is budget, the creators could add better materials and equipment. Even the rear-view mirror was unsuccessful - large head restraints interfere with the review, and a huge spare tire covers the entire picture behind the rear window. In general, the ergonomics of the interior of the car users put the top three with a stretch.
There are many places inside the car, but trips can hardly be called comfortable. Many motorists believe that all the convenience is lost due to uncomfortable seats without lateral support. The third row of seats in the version with 5 doors is too "far-fetched" - sitting on it is extremely uncomfortable. Sometimes customers come up with the idea that it would be better if they didn’t install it in this car, but focused on the spaciousness of the trunk. But in any case, for trips with friends to the country and back - this is almost an ideal option.
The choice between the three-door and five-door versions
Hyundai Galloper was available in these two body styles. The choice of modification by the buyer completely depends on the operating style of this machine.
To overcome rough terrain and country roads, a three-door version is better. Due to the short base, such a car is much lighter than the 5-door option. But for urban exploitation and family trips, it is preferable to stop at the choice of a five-door model. Customers also claim that this car in two versions does not feel very confident on the pavement: an uninformative steering wheel, a "floating" suspension do not allow the driver to feel safe. Since the price difference is minimal, it is better to opt for a large version. Extra passenger seats, albeit so cramped, will be out of place. A huge cabin in a disassembled state can serve to transport bulky goods. The car is perfect for farming needs with sparing road conditions.
Another minus in the piggy bank of an SUV is its unreliability. With a negligent attitude to the technical part, the car will quickly begin to crumble right in front of your eyes, and if you take into account the age of the Korean, it will happen so quickly that you will not have time to completely leave even one summer season.
Hyundai Galloper: Specifications
The car is rather meager and in terms of the choice of engines - there are only two options. The first is a gasoline unit with a volume of 3 liters and a capacity of 146 horsepower. The second engine is a diesel 2.5-liter with a capacity of 86 or 105 horsepower at the buyer's choice. Both engines Hyundai Galloper reviews are very positive. Marriage in the engines of these cars is quite rare. The SUV was equipped with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. The transmission of the car is reliable and does not cause complaints in stable operation.
But what you can complain about is a huge expense - about 19 liters to overcome a route of 100 kilometers. With such an appetite, the whole idea of the budget of an SUV is lost. In service, the car can be called cheap. Although consumables have to be changed too often, their price range is much lower than that of competitive cars. Yet 10 years of production experience PAJERO did not go unnoticed by the Koreans. You can only find fault with the state of the body, which is what users say in their reviews. But, if we take into account the age, the car was not so bad preserved in comparison with other models of those years.
Verdict
In general, the Hyundai Galloper, whose characteristics are not quite impressive for modern car enthusiasts, is still the same Pajero of the first generation, only slightly improved. In addition, the forms have been improved, thanks to which you can look at the car with pleasure. Users are saddened by a few points. Firstly, this is a meager equipment and interior equipment. Secondly, unfair assembly of panels inside the car, as well as low quality materials, which does not even correspond to the declared price. And the last - a meager choice of engines. Just one gasoline and one diesel engine - this is too little for a full-sized frame SUV. This implies a huge fuel consumption, which, coupled with the replacement of components, translates into a round sum for the owner.
Alternative
Some customers believe that instead of Hyundai Galloper you can buy alternative car options. For example, Toyota Land Cruiser 100 is a newer and more modern SUV, but its cost is much higher. The second option is the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the last is the successor to the Galloper SUV, the Tuscon model. The described Korean wins in terms of cost, but loses to competitors in quality, design and equipment.