Full Review | Nissan Terrano Diesel 1.5 dCi Pure Drive 85 PS
Today we test the more glamorous and luxurious cousin of the Renault Duster - the Nissan Terrano. Both are based on the same platform, infact the Terrano and Duster are part of the Nissan-Renault Alliance to develop automobile platforms which can be shared between the two companies.
The Terrano we tested was the XL Plus variant powered by a 1.5 litre (1,461 cc) dCi Pure Drive diesel engine which produces a maximum power of 85 Ps @ 3750 rpm and maximum torque of 200 NM @ 1900 rpm. The diesel unit is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The same engine option is also available in the Duster. Technically both cars are one and the same; the difference between them is of the feautres, exterior and interior design.
We tested the Terrano over 490 kms on various types of roads and in various driving conditions. Village roads, city traffic, expressways, rough terrains and in the ghats as well. The following is our report on various parameters.
Exteriors - 4/5
Terrano has been given a more luxurious exterior look when compared to the Duster. While the Duster looks more rugged and adventurous, the Terrano looks more like a premium SUV for the city. Plenty of chrome can be found on the exteriors all over. The front grille, bumpers and rear door are the only parts that have been restyled compared to the Duster but gives Terrano a signature look of its own. In general the Terrano looks wider and muscular giving it a solid on road presence.
Interiors - 3/5
From the inside the Terrano is spacious and the beige trim gives it a premium look. Plenty of legroom and headroom for all including the rear passengers. Due to its design, the Terrano lacks a 3rd row of seating and officially only 5 adults can sit in the car. Thanks to its wide design the Terrano can accomodate 3 adults easily at the back. The dashboard and centre console design isn't that great but better than the Duster. Overall, the interiors are a little less luxurious than the exteriors portray.
Engine & Performance - 2.5/5
The 1.5 litre diesel engine (85 PS) is a very sluggish unit and makes the Terrano feel underpowered. At 1,764 kgs the Terrano is too heavy for this engine to generate any excitement while driving. The gearbox also isn;t the smoothest in its class and feels notchy. The biggest advantage of having this engine is the high mileage it delivers when compared to the 1.5-litre THP (110 PS) diesel engine which is available in the XV trim. The Terrano can cruise at 120 kmph and can go beyond 140 kmph. The Terrano sadly has no 4WD option and is only available in 2WD (front) configuration.
The power-assisted steering is quite heavy and gives feedback from the road. Heavy steering is an advantage at high speeds but when it comes to city traffic a light steering is more preferable. Thus it becomes a tedious task to maneuver in the congested city roads. The Terrano comes with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear across all variants. The brakes are powerful enough for a car of this size.
Ride Quality & Comfort - 3.5/5
The Terrano comes with an independent McPerson Strut with Coil Spring suspension at the front and Torsion Beam Axle With Coil Spring suspension at the rear giving it a comfortable ride on all types of roads. The 16-inch 215/65 wide tyres combined with the high 205 mm ground clearance tackle the
rough, damaged roads pretty well. One can also take the Terrano to a bit of off-road driving with ease.
The front and rear seats are comfortable enough for long drives. The driver's seat isn't height adjustable but the steering is tilt adjustable in the XL variant. In the XV variant the driver's seat is height adjustable and comes with lumbar support as well. The HVAC (heating, ventilation & air-conditioning) system is good enough to keep all the passengers cool in the hot summers and warm in the chilly winters.
Overall - 3.5/5
The Terrano won't give you a thrilling SUV drive experience with its 85 PS engine but makes more sense as a premium SUV for the city. It looks better from the outside as well as from the inside compared to the Duster. But all this comes with a premium price as well compared to the Duster. The Terrano ranges from Rs 10.58 lacs to Rs. 13.48 lacs whereas the Duster ranges from Rs. 9.10 lacs to Rs. 13.64 lacs (for the AWD variant), all prices ex-showroom Mumbai.
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