Nissan today announced the return of X-terra for 2021 model year, after half a dozen years, much to the excitement of off-road enthusiasts who have missed a five -seater mid-size SUV that looked and played the part of an adventurer in the Nissan Range. They even get two additional seats as a bonus.

In the first launch since COVID usurped the automotive stage, Nissan announced the return of X-Terra, the favourite Nissan companion of serious Middle East adventurers. Considered by many as a five-seat alternative to the Y61 (or a 7-seater)m the X-Terra will now be available as a 7-seater. This completes the presence of Nissan across all SUV categories, from B to F – in familiar terms, from the Kicks to the Patrol.

In his launch presentation, Thierry Sabbagh, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East promised the X-Terra 2021 to be an experience that has evolved with the customer. He described the new X-Terra as a “completely different concept in our SUV segment.” Between Patrol, the hero of all terrain, and X-Trail, the ‘family-friendly SUV, the X-Terra stands as it did earlier as ‘a perfect partner for shared adventures’. In this new positioning, the homecoming X-Terra is expected to garner 15% market share of the SUV D-segment. Let us see what that means to the returning model and its aficionados.

The new X-Terra design and dimensions

 Ken Lee, Senior Design Director, while introducing the design specialties of the new X-Terra: “Built on 70 years of Nissan SUV expertise, the new Nissan X-Terra’s handling, driving performance and durability, fully meet the needs of today’s social explorer.” – mark the two key words at the end. The multiple need set has been identified as being good for the city and great for an adventure with family and friends.

So, Ken refers to the new “unbreakable design” as a combination of “masculine solidity and sleek and modern execution. The X-Terra sticks to the good old body-on-frame construction that leaves high ground clearance and strength fit for any driving condition: 247 mm ground clearance (earlier 241 mm).

The new X-Terra is 4.9m long, 2.1 m wide and 1.9 m tall. (The old X-Terra was 4.54m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.9 m tall.) The hood is tall and horizontal, and the driver enjoys a commanding stance. The proportions are balanced and the body is strong for a “rugged” image. A hint of haunches from the earlier X-Terra reminds one of the capabilities people loved in this model.

The fascia is inspired by the Patrol (what else?). The new V-motion grille has a thick frame that is contrasting with the refined horizontal chrome bars within the frames. The C-shaped LED headlamps have been interpreted somewhat differently for the X-Terra and looks nice. The quad LED projector lamps resemble ice cubes that seems to be the in-thing with many brands these days. Each one is framed within its own bezel and sure has a high tech vibe! The bumper seems to have unique layers overlapping each other, scooped off with skid plates, adding to the protected feeling without compromising on the sophistication Nissan wants to convey in tandem with the grille and the LED lights.

While the front is more generic to the Nissan family, the rear seems to bring back vibes from the wide stance of the original X-Terra – just as the high stance of the hood does. The chrome centre finisher and the wide tail lamps with their horizontal flashes complete this ‘wide format picture’. The rear bumper is given to squared-off shapes so as to express an armoured feeling like its big brother.

Interiors

The dashboard and instrument panel has been designed to convey movement stretching from door to door – again highlighting the wide format spaciousness of this cabin. Across the dash and around certain niches, a dynamic silver finisher adds sophistication to style. Among eight exterior colours, Bright brown and Burgundy are signature shades for the model. Interiors look very pleasant in the new grey while ambient lighting helps with it too.

The display screen is multi-colour and 9-inches wide diagonally in the Platinum version while the Titanium gets an 8” screen and the base gets a 7” TFT. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present. The refinements include a Bose Premium Audio system, Intelligent Rear View Mirror, USB ports including a C-port and a wireless charging pad. In the rear, passengers get an 11” entertainment screen.

The seats are designed impressively and shaped for a cossetted ride, “finished with comfortable, soft-touch materials”. Each row gets individual climate controls while the cabin stays quiet thanks to significant sound deadening measures around the engine compartment, and acoustic glass on both the windshield and side windows that keeps out wind and road noise to a large extent.

Buttons make it easy for the seat to be tumbled over. A remote fold-down second row feature makes for easy access while the third row has a single action fold-down to easily convert to more cargo space. The new X-Terra’s seats can be split-folded 60/40 split-folding second row with a 50/50 split third row, while both rows can be folded-down creating a completely flat cargo floor.

Nissan Intelligent Mobility features

Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning (warns you of a vehicle in the side if you are poised for changing lanes, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (warns you if a vehicle in front is too close for comfort), Intelligent Driver Alertness (measures how alert your state of mind is from your attention to the road)

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (warns you of a vehicle approaching from either side as you back out of a parking), Lane Departure Warning (warns you to pay more attention if you are drifting around closer to the lane markers within your lane), Around View Monitor with moving object detection (camera gives you a split-screen close up views of your front, rear and curb sides as well as a bird’s eye view of your vehicle, while looking out for moving objects like pedestrians or vehicles)

Engine and power

The new X-Terra will be driven by a 2.5L gasoline engine, good for 165 hp and 241 N-m torque, mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy is claimed to be 11.4 km per litre, not surprisingly a segment best! Nissan X-Terra 2021 allows the driver to switch between 4WD or 2WD with the twist of a dial. In tackling rock, mud or sand, drivers will benefit from 4-Low gear, differential lock, hill descent control and hill start assist.

So, what about the 4.0L engine that empowered the adventurers till 2015? The spokesperson at the global launch said, right now, another engine variant is not being offered but Nissan will closely monitor the needs of its customers.

Grades and Prices

SE – 2WD from USD 27,200 (AED 99,906) and 4WD from USD 29,700 (AED 109,088)

Titanium – 2WD from USD 30,500 (AED 112,027) and 4WD from USD 32,700 (AED 120,107)

Platinum – 4WD at USD 36,500 (AED 134,065)

So, what will the original fan say?

Abdullah Wazni, Marketing Director for the Middle East pointed out that this model has been five years in the making, starting with clean drawing boards. Irrepressible X-Terra fanatics might say the model has been diluted in concept by thinking ‘outside the original box’ but what cannot be taken away is the underlying fact that the X-Terra is still body-on-frame like the Patrol or the Navara pick up and has a ground clearance that simply spells all-terrain.

As for Nissan, it seems to make more sense catering to a more balanced and multi-faceted usage pattern. The X-terra 2021 no longer stands out as the maverick adventurer in the Nissan range but as a congenial conformist that looks and behaves in line with family values and hangs up the scutcheon to preside over dinner. The brand believes it has not only built ‘a true off-roader but a perfect city scape partner’. But then, whose line is that anyway, coz that seems to be what every SUV maker and model tags along these days.

There is promise in Nissan’s inaugural words. “X-terra is not only tough but also sophisticated.” Abdullah calls out to the fun-loving adventurer: “This is an SUV you are going to have so much fun driving!” Reassuring to all those eagerly waiting for the box to arrive. Well, only a test drive will tell.

So when can you take it on a test drive?

The Nissan X-Terra has been launched across the GCC but will be available in most showrooms from the first week of December onwards. However, UAE showrooms will welcome the new X-Terra tomorrow. So, all those waiting for the Badayer climb or the Liwa adventure, book a test drive – and don’t forget to share with us all, what you think about the new Nissan X-Terra.