Nissan Terra

The Nissan Terra is a midsize SUV that’s based on the Navara D23 pick-up truck. In addition to the platform, it also shares the interior and engine options of the Navara. Out of all the various features that it has, the Terra’s multi-link rear suspension really differentiates it from the rest in its segment. It also mainly explains why the Terra is one of the more comfortable ladder-frame vehicles sold in the Philippines. Power-wise, the Nissan Terra has a 2.5-liter diesel engine with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission. It also has Nissan Intelligent Mobility, with an Around-View Monitor that allows users to see around the vehicle through the use of cameras. It comes with other features as well such as, rear-cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and many more. The variants for the Terra starts with the EL variants that comes with a manual transmission all the way to the VE mid-level variants to the top spec VL variants that comes fully loaded.

History

The Nissan Terra is a mid-size SUV produced by Nissan. This car is based on the Navara D23 pickup truck. This car was first introduced in China in April 2018 and was launched at the Auto China auto show in Beijing in the same month and On 28 May 2018, Terra was launched in the Philippines. Nissan introduced the new frame-based Nissan Terra in the Philippines to meet increasing customer demand for SUVs. The New Nissan Terra is the first SUV in the mid-size Nissan segment in the Philippines. This underscores the company's commitment to developing the country's already strong business.

Launch

The Nissan Terra was first introduced in China in April 2018 and subsequently launched at the Auto China auto show in Beijing. Here in the Philippines, the Terra was launched by Nissan Philippines on May of 2018. This marks Nissan’s entry in the midsize SUV segment in the Philippines. To prevent the model from looking outdated, the Terra was updated in 2021. It was released to the market with notable changes found on the exterior and interior, including additional tech and safety features.

Variant and Price

The 2022 Nissan Terra price in the Philippines starts at ₱1,664,000. The lowest price is the Nissan Terra 2.5 EL 4x2 MT, ranging all the way up to the Nissan Terra 2.5 VL 4x4 AT Aspen Pearl White priced at ₱2,369,000.

Just like the exterior, notable changes have also been made to the interior of the Nissan Terra.

Dashboard

One of the noticeable changes is the redesigned dashboard that looks better with a leather inlay and Nissan’s advanced drive-assist display that’s’ easy to read and highly informative gauge cluster.

The Nissan Terra facelift now looks more luxurious with reshaped seats for increased comfort. The comfortable seats come in black leather upholstery with red interior accents for the top spec variants, while the lower spec variants get fabric seats.

It also features an electronic parking brake that replaces the conventional handbrake. The new Terra also features a larger nine-inch touchscreen for the Nissan Connect infotainment system. The touchscreen also has wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features.

Space and Practicality

Nissan designed the Terra with the capabilities of a tough SUV and a comfortable cabin like a premium MPV.

The cabin space of the Terra remains more than adequate for seven with all sorts of cubby holes to store items. The second-row seats feature a split-fold-sliding mechanism, while the third-row seats also have a split fold capability for carrying cargo.

Speaking of the third row, it does away with levers on the second row seats. Instead, there’s a button on the center console that automatically folds the third row seats. Keeping the occupants cool at all times is a dual-zone automatic climate control with AC vents for all three rows.

Safety Features

The Nissan Terra comes with a host of standard safety features such as, six airbags in total with two being located up front for the driver and passenger, two side airbags, and the curtain shield airbags on either side of the vehicle. 3-point seatbelts can be found for all occupants along with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). The VL variant of the Terra gets a tire pressure monitoring system.

Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility 360 Safety Shield can be found on all variants of the Terra except the EL variant. This consists of an all-around 360-degree monitor, intelligent forward collision warning with intelligent emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, intelligent rear view mirror, lane departure warning, driver alertness, blind spot warning, hill start, and hill descent control. The Terra even comes with useful driving aids, driver attention alert, off-road meter and tire pressure monitoring system.

Comfort Features

The Terra features a dual-zone auto air-con with climate control for the front. Meanwhile, there is a 360 degrees air-con that ensures even air distribution and cools the interior quickly with 2 vents on the ceiling for both second and third row. There are also air-con vents on the center console for the second-row passengers. As for parking convenience, the Nissan Intelligent Mobility package is here. 

First, is the Around View Monitor (AVM) where Nissan put a digital rear-view mirror, a first for the segment inside the Terra and links it with to four cameras installed around the car to provide a 360 degree bird’s eye view. Then, the Moving Object Detection (MOD), detects moving objects through sensors in the front and back and lastly, a reverse camera completes the package. The cabin temperature also remains cool but does not shiver because it is supported by AC with Dual Zone Automatic Temperature which can be adjusted in such a way.

Infotainment Features

Neatly integrated in the dashboard of the Nissan Terra is a Nissan’s 9-inch advanced touchscreen display infotainment system for its VL variants and an 8-inch infotainment system for its VE and EL variants that’s both with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Also available for the top spec VL 4x4 AT variant is a  BOSE premium 8-speaker sound system. The rest of the variants gets a 6-speaker sound system with two tweeters.

Under the hood of the Nissan Terra is a 2.5-liter, inline-four-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled common rail diesel engine. This is factory rated to generate 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Transmission options are either a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. The top spec variant can be equipped with a 4x4 system that features part-time 4WD, with 2H/4L/4H and a transfer select switch.

Engine

The engine of the Nissan Terra is  2.5-liter, Inline-4, DOHC, Variable turbocharger, YD25DDTi Diesel. It still produces 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque which is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. The top of the line model can be had with a 4x4 system that features part-time 4WD, with 2H/4L/4H with a transfer select switch.

Transmission

Nissan Terra are available with either a 6-speed manual (EL variant only) or a 7-speed automatic transmission. However, unlike other countries, Thailand only gets the automatic transmission and power is directed to either the rear wheel or 4 wheels. There is a manual mode where drivers can manually shift gears via the shift lever.

Platform and Chassis

The Nissan Terra utilizes a full-length ladder frame that’s completely boxed to ensure utmost durability and structural integrity.

Enabling the Terra to offer a smooth ride quality and differentiating it from others in its segment is a 5-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar.

Up front, the Terra has an independent double-wishbone setup with coil springs and stabilizer bar. Providing stopping power for the Terra, a 4-wheel disc brake system can be found on VL variants while the VE and EL variants adopt a front disc and rear drum braking setup. 

2022 Nissan Terra Chassis

• Class - Midsize SUV
• Body Style - 5-Door Body-On-Frame SUV

2022 Nissan Terra Platform

• Layout - Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel Drive
• Platform - Nissan F-Alpha Platform

Riding & Control

Nissan Terra belongs to a body-on-frame type SUV and traditionally, such vehicles tend to be taller and have higher ground clearance. Furthermore, it allows torsional flexing and that makes it perfect for off-roading. As the frame flexes, the car body does not move much and passengers experience less body roll. The chassis and suspension are also tuned for better comfort and maneuverability. The Nissan Terra could achieve the 0 – 100 km/h sprint in 10.2 seconds. The top speed is limited to 189 km/h. Although the engine has a massive 450 Nm torque figure, it took a lot to carry a 2.6 ton SUV.

Nissan Terra has a Twist feature to get maximum fuel efficiency in various situations or road conditions that you pass.. The use of the 4H button in fact does not make Your All New Nissan Terra wasteful of fuel even when it is turned on automatically. Fuel consumption is quite efficient, with only 1 liter of fuel it can reach a distance of a dozen km or the equivalent of your trip out of town.

Overall, the Nissan Terra’s fully independent suspension set up and responsive turbo-diesel engine equates to a sporty demeanor. What’s more, it comes with a host safety features that can’t be found on most of its competitors in its segment. Important points to ponder if you’re in the market for a mid-size 7-seater SUV as the Terra presents a good alternative over its mainstream rivals. Packaged with high end features that come as standard and a lot of variants to fit any budget and need, makes the Terra a bang for the buck option.