Words and Pics: Arjun Dharve
Team Motoroids recently spent a good time reviewing the new Nissan Terrano in varied road conditions that the picturesque state of Rajasthan had on offer. As we were expecting, the Terrano seems to have got all the right ingredients to become the next big thing in Compact SUV segment of Indian car market and is much more than just a re-badged Renault Duster. Arjun Dharve, who played the test driver for us this time around, has a lot of good things (along with some not so good ones) to say about the Nissan Terrano.
Exterior and Styling
To derive an entirely new car, with its own unique identity, from a top selling model is quite a challenge in itself. However, Nissan seems to have overcome this problem with quite aplomb.
As the Terrano is highly based on its Renault cousin, the Duster, comparisons are bound to be inevitable.
However, Nissan has gone to great lengths to give the Terrano a typical “Nissan-ish” look. Nissan claims that the Terrano comes with an entirely new outer shell and deviation from the Duster is easily apparent in the re-profiled hood, revised bumpers, new headlamps, new tail-gate and the doors.
The front end of the vehicle invokes memories of Pathfinder/Patrol. In keeping with Nissan`s “V” profile, the Terrano gets chunky chrome V slats type front grill. The big Nissan logo sits proudly in between the slats on the enlarged honeycomb grill. This profile goes lower and deeper in to the bumper and forms a nice line along with the re-designed angular double headlamps. On the top, the V profile extents into the new hood. The bumper carries a large air dam in the lower half and gets liberal dosage of brushed silver at its chin, thereby lending it an “off road ready” character.
The beefy wheels arches flow out from the bumpers and continue with a brushed silver mini foot board (a case of form winning over function here). The Terrano comes with silver roof rails (XV variants only) to complete the rugged go any-where look. Nissan has also introduced an up sweeping crease which is prominent on the rear door. This crease flows all the way into the rear wheel arches. This further helps in endowing the Terrano with its own identity. The rear fixed quarter glass is retained while giving the car a thick D pillar.
The rear does not disappoint at all, with the car getting a new set of tail lamps which extend all the way into the tail gate. This lends the Terrano a sublte `X` pattern. The license plate is housed under a big chrome garnish containing the tail gate lock. The bumper follows the design these seen on the rest of the car and carries a silver cladding in the lower half. Thankfully Nissan has covered the tow hook, which could have proved to be eyesores for an otherwise neatly designed rear.
Go to next page to read about the interiors and ergonomics