It really shouldn’t come as any surprise that Nissan Philippines brought in the Terra. The Japanese carmaker already had competitive offerings in several key segments, but it was missing a midsize SUV that could take on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The fact that the regional launch was held in Clark, Pampanga signaled Nissan’s serious intent to take the midsize leaders head-on.
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Here we have the 4x2 variant that many city slickers will likely consider. It’s got all the top-of-the-line trimmings and features minus the 4x4 capability.
Styling
For the most part, Nissan elected to give its midsize SUV a tough, no-nonsense look. Up
It’s subtle compared to its competitors, but we reckon
Interior
It wouldn’t be fair to call
The automatic A/C is controlled with a series of physical buttons. The top variants get nice, comfy brown leather seats. It’s a muted look that doesn’t go out of its way to grab your attention, which for many people is just fine. On the plus side, you get lots of cabin space, with a reasonable amount of room in the rearmost seats.
Engine performance
Naturally, the Terra is powered by a turbodiesel. In this case, it’s a 2.5-liter YD25 mill capable of 187hp and 450Nm. It’s the same engine found in the top-of-the-line Navara. Power delivery is smooth through the middle ranges, and while you can hear the engine’s whir as the revs climb, it stays pretty quiet when idling or through smooth cruising. There’s plenty of
Ride and handling
It seems that each midsize SUV has its niche in our market. The Fortuner is marketed for its premium feel. Mitsubishi doesn’t hide the fact that the Montero Sport’s design is unique. Isuzu boasts about its engines and their fuel economy. The Terra’s unique selling point? It could very well be its handling.
Unlike other SUVs where the steering feels too light for the vehicle’s size, the Terra’s has a healthy weight to it that adjusts minimally with increasing speed. It almost feels a bit old school in a sense. Granted, it can feel a bit too heavy at times when you’re cruising at low speeds. Through corners, the vehicle remains stable, exhibiting less body roll than you’d expect. We drove it through the twisties of Rizal, and it proved to be quite nimble for its size.
Extra features
Normally, this part of the review is short, merely listing some nifty features that the vehicle happens to have. But in
Chief among the gadgets onboard is the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite of safety features. By flipping the rearview mirror, you can view cameras that look in front, behind, and around the vehicle. The 360-degree view is pretty useful when backing into a parallel slot, though it does take some getting used to. The SUV also comes with lane departure and blind spot warning.
The infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are fast becoming industry standards and must-haves on our traffic-ridden streets. Complimenting those is a screen for the rear passengers which mirrors the touchscreen display. There are also A/C vents for the rear passengers—a godsend when you’re riding a Nissan.
Verdict
The midsize SUV segment is not an easy one to compete in. Nissan bet big on this market, but its competitors have had several years (and in some cases, several generations) to establish their respective footholds. Yet the Terra offers a package that ticks all the boxes of what a good midsize SUV should be, plus a few surprises that many buyers will enjoy. If the increasing number of units on the road is any indication, this Nissan is poised to disrupt the current segment leaders.
Specs: Nissan Terra 2.5L VL 4X2 7AT
Price: P1,899,000
Engine: 2.5-liter turbodiesel
Power: 187hp @ 3,600rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Drive layout: RWD
Seating: 7
Score: 19/20
Nissan Terra 2.5L VL 4X2 7AT
