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TERRAIN TERRANO
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Most 'lifestyle' vehicles have as much genuine off-road ability as a pogo stick — but the Nissan Terrano is different. If you need to move a tradesman and his tools to the back of beyond it's well worth a look
Since we've decided to tear up the countryside and build on just about anything that isn't actually moving, getting to the site can be a tricky business. Well before proper access roads are constructed vehicles are expected to navigate to any given point, regardless of weather and the terrain. If you're thinking about how the materials get there, don't worry, that's not your problem.
But if you happen to be a site manager or tradesman, you need to know that what you're driving can get you there and back without shaking the fillings out of your teeth or breaking down in a galaxy far, faraway—in the hills, no one can hear you scream.
But hold on a minute, you'll need to cover plenty of road miles to new sites once construction is completed.so a machine that can cruise happily at highspeed would be nice as well.To meet these needs those helpful vehicle manufacturers offer derivatives of their userfriendly 4x4s with the back seats chucked out to maximise the load area.
But the biggest challenge these urban warriors generally encounter is the common speed bump. so can they be considered as serious all-terrain CVs?
Nissan's Terrano has been around for a few years now and the company has decided to drop the passenger model, but it will still happily provide you with the van version. There have been several updates during its lifetime.The current range features two engine options: an IDI 2.7-litre turbo-diesel producing 125hp and a DI 3.0-litre variant with a healthy 154hp on tap. It also has selectable four-wheel drive with low and high ratios.
Our test vehicle is the 3.0-litre model that comes with a trouser pulling 304Nm of torque and the SE package: airbags, air-con, alloy wheels, metallic paint and a leather steering wheel cover. Weighing in at 2,510kg the Terrano costs £16.042.
Though this is quite a specialist vehicle there's plenty of competition out there. Jeep's Pioneer,the latest arrival on the market, is a direct rival; the more hardcore challengers, which are seen as the more purpose built vehicles, come from Land Rover and Santana.
Produdivity
Considering the Terrano is quite a compact vehicle a 3.0-litre engine might seem like overkill and fuel consumption is bound to be compromised. Luckily Nissan's common-rail technology makes it quite the sipper—a laden run around the CM test route produced 32.9mpg, while unladen it improved to 35.6mpg.This compares with 29.5mpg for Jeep's Pioneer,27.3mpg for Land Rover's Defender and 25.8mpg for the Santana. With a vehicle like the Terrano traditional values such as load space tend to take a baekseat to more pressing demands such as off-road ability. But that doesn't completely exempt it from cross-examination, and with a load volume of l .6m3 you wouldn't even fit the more 'mature' members of the CM test team inside (but then the same applies with a 7.5-tonner).
It's all relative, of course. If you need to move a tradesman or two with tools/spare parts/equipment to a telephone mast/ generator/farm then the space available should be suflicient.The loadbed is completely flat and the side hinged door opens out 90°, making access easy enough.
Keeping your gear in the back where it belongs is a metal perforated bulkhead that, unlike some of the competition, is sturdy and secure.A nice touch is the lockable metal case located behind the seats that's ideal for storing tools or valuables overnight.
On the downside you'll need a service every 9,000 miles, keeping the Terrano in the workshop for longer than we'd expect for a modern CV.
On the road
It's a nice compact unit, the Terrano.The squat stance looks purposeful and the dimensions are tight enough for novice off-roaders to avoid manoeuvring problems or being overwhelmed by its size. Since this type of vehicle spends most of its time on the road the dynamic qualities have to be compromised between the asphalt and the tundra.There are several machines out there that claim off-road credentials but believe us, though they may cruise happily down the motorway, even the smell of mud is enough to bring about a nervous breakdown.And that includes those so-called lifestyle vehicles from the more prestigious manufacturers.
It rides comfortably enough on the blacktop, absorbing bumps and undulations in its stride. A-road and motorway work is dispatched with minimum fuss with the Terrano proving unshakeable, despite some significant cross-winds. Though not designed to be rushed through corners it handles safely enough, if a little ponderously when pushed. Body roll is slightly exaggerated due to the soft suspension, leaving us swaying more than we'd like.
That strong 3.0-litre engine keeps things moving at a decent pace. With plenty of torque in the mid-range it spins freely, taking the stress out of driving and the decent gear change —for a 4x4 — helps maximise the Terrano's ability. Out on the rough stuff in low-ratio mode it's an effective hill climber with the engine providing all the torque you need when the going gets tough.
One of the benefits of having a CV derived from the passenger version is that the interior tends lobe above the standard design fare of a heater and door bins. This certainly applies to the Terrano, especially in SE form.When it comes to leather CM's testers are more used to it on their shoes than on the steering wheel.
The driver's seat is comfortable and its soft cushioning should help absorb prolonged driving on adverse terrain. It comes with lumbar support and is adjustable for length, but not height. On the downside it has limited rear movement due to that metal storage box, leaving taller drivers feeling a tad cramped. Major dials, dominated by the speedo and rev counter, are easy to read; the centre console houses dial heater controls, a pop-out cup holder and CD-radio. •