The midsize SUV battle heats up as Nissan finally brings its contender, the Terra. No longer missing out, the Japanese carmaker had an elaborate regional debut of its new product in the country yesterday, making the Philippines the second market in the world (next only to China) to welcome the Terra.
Is it any good? Wait for our initial test-drive impressions. But size-wise, it’s pretty tempting.
Let’s talk about size, because it does matter. Compared to the best-selling Fortuner and Montero Sport, the Terra is the longest and widest. In terms of height, the Terra is as tall as Toyota’s midsize offering. Nissan’s player has a wheelbase of 2,850mm, the longest among the three, thus promising the most legroom.
Price-wise? The Terra breached the sub-P1.5 million price tag, with the base 4x2 six-speed manual transmission variant pegged at P1,499,000. The Mitsubishi Montero Sport and the Toyota Fortuner have base variants starting at P1,565,000 and P1,592,000, respectively. Only the Isuzu MU-X can beat the new kid on the midsize SUV block when it comes to pricing, with its 2.5 LS 4x2 manual transmission variant going for P1,318,000.
But of course, most shoppers are interested in a mid variant for some bells and whistles, so below, we pit the mid-tier Terra against the other Japanese vehicles in the segment. The Fortuner seems to have the sweetest deal with a P1,682,000 price tag, but if you’re more concerned with an SUV’s maximum output and pulling capability, the Montero Sport and the Terra fared better than the Toyota.
In case you’re shopping for a midsize SUV and you want to make an educated choice, check out the side-by-side comparison of the three Japanese midsize SUVs. Of course, scrutinizing the spec sheet of these vehicles is just the first step. It’s best to test-drive the vehicles on your shortlist before you take your pick. Happy shopping!
| MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT GLS 2WD 2.4 AT |
NISSAN TERRA 2.5 VE 4X2 AT |
TOYOTA FORTUNER 2.4 G 4X2 AT |
|
| Price (Philippine Peso) | 1,719,000 | 1,697,000 | 1,682,000 |
| Drive | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Seating capacity | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Engine | DOHC 2.4L Clean Diesel engine with VGT and MIVEC system (4N15) | YD25 DDTi DOHC VGS with intercooler |
2GD-FTV |
| Power | 178hp @ 3,500rpm | 190hp @ 3,600rpm | 147hp @ 3,400rpm |
| Torque | 430Nm @ 2,500rpm |
450Nm @ 2,000rpm | 400Nm @ 1,600-2,000rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic with sports mode |
7-speed automatic with manual mode | 6-speed automatic with sequential control |
| Brakes (front/rear) | Ventilated disc/drum-in disc | Ventilated disc/drum | Ventilated disc/ventilated disc |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone with coil spring and stabilizer bar |
Independent double wishbone with coil spring and stabilizer bar | Double wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | 3-link with coil spring and stabilizer bar
|
5-link coil spring with stabilizer bar | 4-link with coil springs, stabilizer, and lateral rod |
| Wheels | 18-inch alloys | 18-inch alloys | 17-inch alloys |
| Tires | 265/60 R18 110H | 255/60 R18 | 265/60 R17 |
| Airbags | Driver and passenger | Driver and passenger, side and curtain shield | Driver (with knee) and passenger |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 218 | 225 | 225 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4,785 x 1,815 x 1,805 | 4,885 x 1,865 x 1,835 | 4,795 x 1,855 x 1,835 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,800 |
2,850 | 2,745 |
