Is the Nissan Terra worth it?

Unlike other brands, Nissan was quite late to enter the midsize SUV segment. Despite that, the Terra has already established its rightful place in the competition, with the model still selling like hotcakes during its sophomore year. Truly, it’s better to be late than never. Soon, the midsize SUV will then cross its third year of presence here in the local market. 

While its refreshed version is already available in the Middle East, we still get the pre-updated model which isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, the locally-specced Terra is still a competitive entry up until now, all thanks to its holistic package which does attract a lot of buyers. So with all that said, is this SUV really worth it? Let’s find out together, shall we?

It’s not flashy yet it doesn’t offend as well, it looks just right. The boxy dimensions along with some well-planted body lines do give the Terra a fine and handsome look, which mind you, is also stashed with the expected ruggedness found on SUVs. 

It does get some of the brand’s signature design cues such as the V-Motion grille and boomerang details applied on the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), side repeaters, and the taillights. Only the EL variants get the smaller 17-inch alloys wrapped in 255/65 tires, while the rest of the range gets the turbine-style 18-inch alloys with 255/60 tires. Another thing, the rear spoiler is only available on VE variants and up.

Overall, it does exude ruggedness and elegance, and without a doubt, it shall age gracefully as time passes by.

The Nissan Terra is comfortable in several aspects. First up is the spacious cabin, not only does it pack lots of room for passengers up to seven, but it also comes with a flat-folding third-row and second-row seats which allows you to maximize your precious cargo room. One thing worth mentioning though is those NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats that allow great comfort, be it on short distances or longer journeys.

Second is the number of creature comforts it has. Before proceeding with its fancy gadgets and gizmos, all variants of the Terra come standard with the one-touch tumble seats, which also has a convenient button in the front. This gives occupants some much-needed ease and convenience when accessing the rearmost seats. 

Now, going over its other features, VE variants, and up benefit from a push-start button along with a smart keyless entry and the larger 8-inch infotainment system that comes with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the sound is pushed through a 6-speaker audio system. VL trims, on the other hand, come with additional goodies such as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, brown leather upholstery, automatic climate control, an 11-inch flip down monitor with HDMI input, and the Around View Monitor (AVM).

Lastly, one of the main highlights of this SUV has got to be its ride quality which is purely complemented by the rear multi-link coil spring suspension. Therefore, going through uneven terrains or potholes won’t be much of a chore for the Terra.

Apart from its aforementioned suspension setup, the Terra also carries several other mechanicals from its pickup sibling, the Navara. This includes the tried and tested 2.5-liter turbo diesel that could either be paired with a 6-speed MT or a 7-speed automatic. The said mill produces a healthy 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque. 

Like the Navara, the Terra delivers that utmost performance in the city, highway, or even during unpredictable conditions. More importantly, it does return good fuel economy numbers making your trips to gas stations less often than usual.

Apart from the standard six-airbags and other basic safety equipment like Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist (BA), the Terra is also reinforced with a suite of driver-assist features known as the ‘Nissan Intelligent Mobility’. Specifically, it comes with Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Intelligent rearview mirror, and the Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD). The following features shall help increase driving confidence plus, it should further elevate the safety of both driver and its passengers.

Earlier, the Nissan Terra was praised for having a holistic package, and we’ve successfully defended that just now. To make it summarized, Nissan’s midsize SUV does deliver in terms of looks, comfort, performance, and safety. So going back to the question, is the Nissan Terra worth it? The answer to that is yes. With its pricing starting at only P1,539,000 and topping up to P2,211,000, you’d definitely be surprised with what this vehicle has to offer. While some of its seniors may have been in the market for quite some time now, the Nissan Terra still managed to catch up and collect some genuine love from many buyers. 

Yes, it may be young considering that it’s only turning three this year but it’s really got the guts to face some established names in the segment, therefore, proving that being older doesn’t always make you wiser.