2023 Nissan Terra Sport Long Drive/Off-Road Review: Spec Rundown
Nissan Philippines launched a refreshed version of its challenger in the seven-seater midsize SUV segment back in February 2023. Dubbed the Terra Sport, it follows the same design approach seen in its rivals such as the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series and the Ford Everest Sport.
The Terra Sport still shares most design details seen on the facelifted model that was launched in 2021. Although, it now wears a blacked-out exterior as seen on the V-motion grille, fog light housing, under garnish, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, it has the same layout but it doesn’t come with a burgundy-red leather accent. The Terra Sport features an all-black cabin instead, accented by white stitching.
It also has Nissan’s zero gravity seats, which were developed in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Entertainment is provided by the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. And oh, it does come with an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
The Terra Sport still does come with the same 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine capable of generating 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. It is connected to a 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode as standard. It is available in either 4x2 or 4x4 trim.
2023 Nissan Terra Sport Long Drive/Off-Road Review: From Puerto Princesa to El Nido
Philkotse was invited by Nissan Philippines for a media drive in Palawan to showcase the Terra Sport’s on- and off-road capability.
A fleet of Nissan Terra 4x4 was waiting for us when we arrived at Puerto Princesa airport, which is the starting point of the drive. From the airport, we traveled all the way to Club Agutaya in San Vicente, which was 179 kilometers or about three and a half hours drive.
The second leg was from Club Agutaya to Seda Lio in El Nido, which was 119 km away or around two and a half hours drive.
The six-hour drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido featured a lot of winding roads as well as a series of uphill and downhill segments. This allowed me to get more acquainted with the 2023 Nissan Terra Sport’s on-road capabilities.
One of the things I appreciated the most during the 300-km drive is the Terra’s steering feel. It’s light yet it still has good road feedback, which allowed me to have a more surefooted drive. This also helped in reducing driver fatigue.
The zero-gravity seat also played an important role in enduring the long drive as it kept me in place most of the time especially when taking wide bends. The driver’s seat lumbar adjustment further helped in supporting my lower back while driving.
It’s also stable and planted when driving through provincial roads as impacts from potholes and uneven surfaces were reduced within reason. The Terra’s power delivery was also adequate, giving enough push to do swift overtaking. However, there’s a slight delay in power delivery when shifting gears through the Terra’s manual mode but it’s not that bothersome.
The Terra Sport showed its capability in driving through different road conditions en route to El Nido
After driving from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, the 2023 Nissan Terra Sport posted a fuel economy of 9.5 km/l. Expect more comprehensive fuel efficiency numbers once we fully reviewed the Terra Sport.
2023 Nissan Terra Sport Long Drive/Off-Road Review: El Nido’s Dirt Track
On the second day, Nissan PH brought us to a specialized off-road track in El Nido, which was located near a beach. Organizers prepared a series of obstacles to showcase the Terra Sport’s 4x4 off-road capabilities.
For the first test, I drove the Terra Sport through a 20-degree angled side slope to see how stable the vehicle was when traversing through uneven terrain. The Terra Sport navigated this course without a problem, which gave me the assurance that it will not roll over.
The next test was the axle twist where I drove the Terra Sport, engaged in 4 Low, through a series of deep holes. The vehicle’s impact absorption was notable as it reduced the harsh terrain significantly. The 4 Low mode also allowed the Terra Sport to maximize traction as there were instances where one of the tires was not touching the dirt road.
The off-road track also showcased the Terra Sport’s hill descent control feature as I drove on a downhill slope nose first. Then, there was a portion of the track where I was instructed to increase the vehicle’s speed when driving through the harsh and wet dirt road, and the Terra Sport did a pretty good job in proving its off-road capability.
The last test was for the Terra Sport’s hill-start assist. While suspended on an uphill road, I was asked to let go of the brakes, and the Terra did not slide backward for a good four seconds.
2023 Nissan Terra Sport Long Drive/Off-Road Review: Verdict
Nissan Philippines’ Go Anywhere media drive proved that 4x4 midsize SUVs such as the Terra Sport are more than just a vehicle that could ferry seven individuals. It’s meant to get dirty and meant to take on harsh off-road terrain without compromising driving comfort that much. The 2023 Nissan Terra Sport 4x4 is priced at Php 2,459,000. So, are you ready to go anywhere with the Nissan Terra Sport?