Refreshed 2021 Nissan Terra: See what’s new in this walkaround video

Three years is the average mid-cycle lifespan for a given model to undergo a facelift, yet Nissan was slightly ahead of the curve with the 2021 Terra.

The midsize SUV premiered in 2018 as a Chinese model, eventually making its way to select Southeast Asian markets including the Philippines.

In the last quarter of 2020, the made-over version for 2021 was unveiled as the X-Terra for Middle Eastern markets, which was probably apropos given the abundance of sand dunes in the region. Here’s a refresher on the, uh, refreshed Nissan Terra.

Exterior

The 2021 Terra largely retains the dimensions of the previous version, coming in at 4,900mm long, 2,105mm wide (including side mirrors), 1,865mm high, and with a wheelbase of 2,850mm.

It boasts 235mm of ground clearance, with approach and departure angles of 32.3 and 26.6 degrees, respectively.

The facelift has given the 2021 Terra a more aggressive look

It retains the trademark V-motion grille, albeit bigger in size and surrounded by a redesigned fascia. Projector headlamps give way to a quad-LED setup, arranged in two layers that act as low- and high-beams.

The bumper has also been revised, incorporating new vertical foglamp housings at the corners. Nissan also made the front skid plate more prominent.

Chrome finishing is more abundant on the 2021 Terra, especially on the side mirrors with revised turn signal repeaters. A set of sharper-looking 18-inch alloys can be found on the sides of the SUV. Even the tailgate has been improved, with revised LED taillights bridged by a new chrome trim.

>>> Related: 2021 Nissan Terra Old vs. New: Spot the differences

Interior

Interior capacity continues to be a selling point for the 2021 Terra, with room for up to seven occupants. The dashboard has been redesigned, featuring aircon vents that are more streamlined compared to the old model, accompanied by a sportier three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel.

A revised dashboard and steering wheel welcome drivers aboard

Second- and third-row seating can be folded down in a variety of configurations for a range of cargo requirements. The middle seats can be collapsed with the push of a button from the driver’s perch.

There are 360-degree aircon vents on the ceiling to help cool the cabin faster, especially on hot days.

>>> Related: Nissan Terra accessories Philippines: 8 recommendations in 2020

Tech & safety

The 2021 Terra comes loaded with technology, starting with the 7-inch advanced driver assistance display right between the analog gauges. There’s a 9-inch high-resolution touchscreen display featuring voice recognition, home screen customization, built-in navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and charging means you can leave the cables at home

USB Type A and Type C ports are available for physical connectivity. There’s even wireless charging, and the setup is patched to an 8-speaker Bose surround sound system. Up top, an 11-inch high-resolution screen flips down from the ceiling as part of the 2021 Terra’s onboard family entertainment system, featuring HDMI access.

No more boring drives with the onboard family entertainment system

The 2021 Terra is no slouch when it comes to safety, with a complete array of seatbelts for every occupant, as well as ISOFix anchor points for child seats.

Anti-lock brakes are standard, along with six airbags. Vehicle dynamic control, hill start assist, and hill descent control are also included. A smart rear-view mirror is linked to the exterior rear camera for superior visibility even when traveling under full load.

The smart rear-view mirror is patched to an exterior camera

Nissan Intelligent Mobility features aboard the 2021 Terra include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Intelligent Emergency Braking.

>>> Related: Facelifted 2021 Nissan Terra spotted again in Thailand – is the Philippines next?

Powertrain

Powering the 2021 Terra is a 2.5L inline-four gasoline engine with 165 hp and 241 Nm of torque, working in concert with a 7-speed automatic transmission also used by the Nissan Patrol V6 and V8.

For taking on rough terrain, the SUV comes with a shift-on-the-fly 4x4 drivetrain that can easily be actuated via a command dial. An electronic locking rear differential and brake limited-slip differential help in providing added traction for slippery situations.

For Middle Eastern markets, the 2021 Terra is equipped with a 2.5L gasoline engine

If the 2021 Nissan Terra makes its way to our market, probably the only major change would be to the drivetrain, with a 2.5L turbodiesel under the hood. Are you looking forward to seeing this SUV in local showrooms?

Take more peeks at your favorite car models at Philkotse.com.