Nissan is preparing to launch an all-new, three-row SUV based on its Navara pickup truck. The body-on-frame SUV will be called the Terra and will be designed primarily for the Asia Pacific market, though its availability will eventually widen. The Terra is part of Nissan’s “M.O.V.E to 2022” initiative to increase sales of its frame-based vehicles over the next four years by a whopping 40 percent.

It was back in 2016 when we first saw Nissan testing a Navara-based SUV. Since then, the trail had grown cold – that is, until Nissan made an official announcement accompanied by several photos on February 26, 2018. The announcement nailed down both the SUV’s name and its debut location at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show in April.

Nissan is still quiet on the official details, but with such a close relation to the Navara pickup, we’ve put together a speculative review covering the Terra’s expected equipment.

Update 02/26/2018: Nissan released official photos of the new 2018 Terra SUV. Based on the Navara pickup, this three-row traditional SUV will go on sale this spring in China, followed by other markets around the globe.

2018 Nissan Terra Exterior

The 2018 Terra obviously looks like its older brother, the Navara. While the Terra carries an updated appearance up front, the two share the same overall appearance, right down to Nissan’s V-Motion grille. Fishhook LED daytime running lights accent the protector beam headlights for a distinctive look both day and night. He chrome grille accents carry down into the lower bumper and fog light housings. More chrome is seen on the side mirrors and door handles, along with the side steps and wheels.

Behind the B-pillar is where the big changes occur. Gone is the separate cargo bed – replaced with an SUV rear end that incorporated two rows of passenger seating. The Terra’s rear carries a simple design that isn’t flashy or otherwise special. The bumper incorporates reflectors and backup sensors. A tow hitch will presumably be located below the bumper’s black apron. We expect the Terra to have a similar tow rating as the Navara pickup, which can pull between 3,500 and 6,500 pounds, depending on the configuration.

2018 Nissan Terra Interior

Like the exterior, the Terra’s interior follows the Navara’s cues. In fact, the dashboard and center console are basically identical to the Navara’s. The steering wheel retains the three-spoke design with redundant controls, the center stack uses Nissan’s touchscreen infotainment system, and dual-zone climate controls keep front passengers happy at their preferred temperatures. The Terra’s interior photo also (barely) shows rear HVAC vents on the center console for second-row passengers. It’s unknown if Nissan will include separate temperature and fan speed controls for second-row passengers, though we certainly hope so.

Creature comforts include push-button starting, a driver information screen, several power and USB ports, and plenty of storage cubbies. Expect upper trims to offer power-adjustable front seats, the touchscreen display, leather seating, and push-button start. Lower trims will likely come with a traditional key, a basic radio head unit, and cloth seats.

Cargo room is still a mystery, but we’re guessing Nissan will try besting the Ford Everest and Holden Trailblazer’s room. The Everest boasts 70.9 cubic feet of room, while the Trailblazer has 64.6 cubic feet of room.

2018 Nissan Terra Drivetrain

The 2018 Nissan Terra is expected to use the Navara’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. In the pickup, the engine makes 188 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, with torque peaking at only 1,500 rpm and staying strong until 2,500 rpm.

A six-speed manual will likely be the base transmission, but we’re betting most models will come with the seven-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, too, but of course, four-wheel drive will be optional.

2018 Nissan Terra Suspension

Like the Nissan Navara pickup, the Terra will uses an independent front suspension with double control arms and MacPherson struts. The rear suspension will use a solid axle held in place with a five-link system and coil springs. Focused slightly more on comfort than outright towing or hauling, the Terra – like the Navara – will provide a smooth ride.

Of course, the Navara and Terra aren’t the only pickup and SUV to use this design. Both Ford and Holden use the same style independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension systems. Ford does take things one step further with a Watt’s Link to control lateral movement of the solid rear axle. Both the Trailblazer and likely the Terra use a panhard bar.

2018 Nissan Terra Pricing

Of course, Nissan has not released any teaser (much less official information) regarding price of its new 2018 Terra. It will certainly cost more than the Qashqai and X-Trail crossovers, along with Navara. Our guess is the 2018 Terra will have a base listing price around $35,000 U.S. dollars.

2018 Nissan Terra Competition

Ford Everest

The Ford Everest is based on the automaker’s global T6 Ranger pickup. The three-row, seven-passenger SUV is about as traditional as it gets, minus its multi-link coil spring rear suspension rather than old-school leaf springs. Like the Ranger, the Everest boasts a Watt’s Link holding the rear axle laterally. The Everest has been a sales hit in China, Australia, New Zealand, India, and parts of southern Africa. Its exterior ahead of the B-pillars mirrors that of the Ranger pickup, while its dashboard also carries a similar appearance.

Under the hood resides three engine options and two transmission choices. There is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 2.2-liter DuraTorq four-cylinder diesel, and a 3.2-liter DuraTorq five-cylinder turbodiesel. All three engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive with Ford’s Terrain Management system is optional.

Pricing for the Ford starts around $42,900 in Australia.

Read our full review on the 2017 Ford Everest

Holden Trailblazer

The Holden Trailblazer is based on the Chevrolet/Holden Colorado and comes with much of the same look, feel, and engineering. It offers seating for seven people over three rows like any modern SUV or crossover. The Trailblazer lives up to its name thanks to descent ground clearance and available skid plates and 4WD. Like the Ford Everest, the Trailblazer uses an independent front suspension and a solid rear axle with a multi-link coil spring suspension.

Power comes from GM’s 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel. The engine makes 197 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that’s paired to rear-wheel drive. Those needing more traction can opt for the part-time 4WD system.

Pricing for the Trailblazer starts around $38,000 and caps around $54,000 in Australia.

Conclusion

Nissan is smart to jump on the SUV trend and capitalize on its already impressive Navara chassis, suspension, and drivetrain. The Terra SUV will undoubtedly be a big hit in China and the rest of the Asia Pacific market where trucks and SUV are exploding in popularity.

We can’t wait for the 2018 Beijing Motor Show where Nissan will release the juicy details of its new Terra SUV, including its planned markets. Sadly, we think it’s a long shot that Nissan would bring the Terra to North America. The only saving grace would be if the Navara pickup soon replaces the decade-old Frontier. In that case, we’d have a better chance at seeing the Terra. Of course, there is that glimmering hope of Nissan’s potential revival of the Xterra nameplate. We reported in December 2017 that the automaker is looking “very, very closely” at the opportunity. It doesn’t take too much reasoning power to figure out the Terra would make a perfect third-generation Xterra – especially if sold beside the Navara-based Frontier.

Only time will tell, unfortunately, so until we know more at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show, speculation is all we have.

References

Read our full review on the 2015 Nissan Navara.

Read more Nissan news.

Spy Shots

September 12, 2016 - Nissan Navara SUV caught testing with production body

May 25, 2016 - First testing session

Update History

Updated 09/12/2016: The upcoming Nissan Navara SUV was caught testing one more time, this time wearing its production body. The model is expected to hit the market in 2017 and will be offered in both 5-seat and 7-seat configurations.