Launched last year, this updated Nissan Terra feels like a completely new vehicle and the top of the line variant feels a lot more premium than the one it replaced. This is the vehicle we drove around Aklan when NissanPH invited us to drive from Manila to Boracay last November. Lets take a closer look at what makes this an ideal vehicle for a long road trip. The Terra is a seven seater mid-sized SUV, and the mid-sized SUV is one of the Pinoy’s favorite vehicles as you can tell, our roads are full of them.
Tough-er Exterior
Nissan’s “unbreakable” design language takes this Terra to the next level, maintaining its rugged, but now tougher, muscular lines. Its styling suits the outdoors lifestyle, translating to versatility and durability.
The front end features the redesigned V-motion grille, which is a lot less “busy” visually than the previous design, and going with it are redesigned signature quad LED headlights and a new front bumper with a little bit more chrome than before, this time to accent the housing of the fog lights.
There’s also the faux brushed aluminum bash guard on the lower part of the front and rear bumper and a redesigned rear tailgate with new signature LED tail lamps. Ground clearance is 225mm, and rolls on Bridgestone Dueler H/T 255/60’s on 18” dual tone alloy wheels.
Powerplant/Transmission
Under the hood is still the same YD25DDTi turbocharged (VGS) 2.5 liter DOHC diesel engine that puts out 190Ps at 3600rpm, and 450Nm of torque at 2000rpm mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and part time 4×4 2H/4H/4L Shift on the Fly and a rear differential lock.
Interior
The interior is now more “executive” than it’s macho exterior. Leather seats are in black with burgundy stitching, the rest of the interior also has leather trim in burgundy. The leather wrapped D-shaped steering wheel has audio controls, phone hands free, drive assist display and cruise control, the driver’s seat has 10 way power adjust and both front passenger seats are the Zero Gravity type.
The second row is 60/40 split, with 4-way manual adjust with fold and tumble via a remote switch. The reclining third row seats fold flat 50/50. The Bose Premium Audio 8 speaker entertainment system is a treat for the ears with a 9” Touchscreen display audio that’s equipped with AM/FM Bluetooth, USB connectivity via type A and C sockets, ipod compatibility, Nissan Navigation System, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and an 11” flip down rear monitor for the rear passengers.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility
The VL 4×4 is equipped with active safety features, Nissan’s intelligent mobility tech – Intelligent Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Rear View Mirror with adjustable settings, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Intelligent Driver Alertness, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Advanced Drive Assist Display, Hill Start Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning with Driving Aid Display and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Convenience and Safety
Standard on VL 4×4 are of course Power windows, speed sensing power door locks, Intelligent Key, engine push start/stop, cruise control, dual zone automatic climate control with rear cooler, wireless charging pad, three 12V sockets and 12 cupholders located around the cabin. For safety, there are 6 airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with active 4-wheel Active Brake Limited Slip, seatbelts for seven, front and rear parking sensors and anti theft system with engine immobilizer.
How was it?
When we drove this exact Terra around Aklan last November, we found it to be just what we needed to enjoy our long day on the road, it was comfortable, handled pretty well on the open country highway and the power on tap didn’t leave us wanting, and since we weren’t loaded with passengers and luggage, it made for a spirited drive. The gearbox had no trouble keeping up with our demands for downshifts and was always ready to shift up when we eased up on the throttle to cruise. If we had a full load of passengers, its amenities would have satisfied everyone’s digital device charging needs and would have had enough cup holders for refreshments. The interior’s upscale trim was icing on the cake.
Compared to the last previous Terra, Nissan has definitely taken this new Terra up a few steps, short of calling it a generation change. But with the market growing, and just about every vehicle size category now having an SUV and giving the mid-sized SUV a run for its money, Nissan has a made a convincing argument for Pinoys to consider the Terra. Maintaining its capabilities to go through rough stuff, upping its creature comforts and with Intelligent Mobility features, is sure to satisfy the two kinds of 4×4 suv owners. The ones who like to get dirty and the ones who don’t.
The VL 4×4 is priced at PHP 2,399,000 (June 2023), placing it near the top of the price range for the midsized SUV, but it isn’t the most expensive, making it reasonably priced for a top of the line, 4×4 variant with all the bells and whistles. Two questions are, which color and where will you drive it?
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