Nissan wants to grab a slice of the compact SUV pie in India with the new Terrano, but how good is it? We find out in a first drive!
Nissan will soon enter the compact SUV segment with the new Terrano. The company is taking pains to present the Terrano as not a rebadged Duster and, in an exclusive pre-launch drive, we evaluate whether it is the right package for India.
Design and Engineering
The Terrano’s compact dimensions are bolstered by the large signature chrome-plated front grille, twin-headlamps with a chrome-and-black bezel, 16” machined alloy wheels, a chrome strip on the tailgate, a chrome-tipped exhaust pipe, chrome-ringed front foglamps, and silver for the roof rails, door handles, ORVMs as well as skid plates!
Interiors
The beige-black interior includes beige leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. The steering wheel was not sufficiently meaty to grip, but this could be purely a matter of personal preference. There are silver-painted inserts on the steering wheel, a chrome insert on the gear knob, and chrome door handles.
Comfort and Safety
The front seats offer good support with adequate legroom. At the rear, the bench is best for two passengers, but can seat three in acceptable comfort. Safety features include ABS+EBD, brake assist, and rear parking sensors. There is however no reverse camera or LED light/numerical indicators for the parking sensors. Production versions will include a touchscreen audio-cum-navigation system, but there are no steering-mounted audio controls.
On the Move
The familiar 1,461cc diesel powerplant pumps out 110 PS at 3,900 RPM and has peak torque of 248 Nm at 2,250 RPM. The bottom-end is a little weak, but once
past 1,800 RPM, the engine pulls strongly all the way to the top. We hit 150 km/h on the highway, and the car felt good for another 10-20 km/h. A six-speed manual transmission powers the front wheels.
The monocoque chassis affords excellent handling and minimal body roll and the class-best 205mm ground clearance allows it to comfortably negotiate most obstacles. There is no 4×4 for now, but officials say they might introduce it later.
Braking is good with the front discs/rear drums and ABS-EBD combo working to keep the Terrano stable under hard braking. The suspension does a fantastic job of smoothening most uneven road surfaces and the occupants can sit back and enjoy a smooth ride.
And Finally…
For a price higher than its French cousin, the Terrano offers a fresh face, useful features, an impressive diesel engine, and great ride and handling. So, bring out your chequebook and get ready to sign on the dotted line come October!
