We recently traded the bustling streets of the city for a long, fun drive along the winding mountain roads leading to Baguio, and taking us there was a fiery red Nissan Terra Sport VL. Honestly, it was my first time driving up to the summer capital of the Philippines, and as a new driver, it was a test I had to conquer.
I’ve always wanted to have an SUV to have that extra power, space, and fierce look. The fiery red color was the icing on the cake.
I’ve always liked the bold look of the Terra, and the Sport VL trim adds a touch of sportiness that suits it well. The red color certainly makes a statement. Inside, you’ll find spacious and comfortable seats—with decent legroom in the second row—perfect for those long, scenic drives. There were 4 adults and 3 teens during our trip, and our luggage and extra snacks fit easily, showing Terra’s spacious cargo capacity.
Under the hood, it packs a 2.5L, turbocharged diesel engine that dishes out 190 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. That power helps on steep mountain inclines like the ones Waze brought us when we were driving around Baguio and Benguet. Imagine a fully loaded SUV with 7 passengers driving through the narrow, steep, and very uphill inner roads of Baguio. The routes that Waze took aren’t for the faint of heart, somewhere where our car wouldn’t dare try to. It was steep, it had sharp curves, and there was an emphasis on being very uphill.
The Drive & Under the Hood
The Nissan Terra Sport VL’s power helps on steep mountain inclines like the ones on the way to Baguio. Sure, there’s a little body roll with spirited cornering, but remember, this is a body-on-frame SUV meant more for carrying capability than racing lines.
I’d also like to point out that I didn’t have any problem overtaking buses and trucks on our way up to Baguio. It gives you the power you need, when you need it, without any delays.
It also features a well-tuned suspension that soaks up road imperfections nicely, the ride was smooth even on uneven sections of the roads.
Tech and Comfort
Even though the Terra Sport VL isn’t packed with every shiny gadget, it had what I needed to stay connected and comfortable. The infotainment system was easy to use, and the Bose sound system was added to the road trip soundtrack. Wireless Apple CarPlay is great, but I’d have loved wireless Android Auto as well.
The back seat passengers are pampered with an LCD monitor that connects to an HDMI port located in the third row. You can plug in any media player, laptop, or phone using an adaptor.
Overall, the Nissan Terra Sport VL proved to be an excellent companion for a trip like this. It offered a great mix of ruggedness, style, practicality, and enough tech to keep me satisfied.
Was it perfect? Not quite; a power tailgate would be a fantastic addition, and a wider suite of driver-assist features would sweeten the deal. But that red paint job, the confidence-inspiring power under the hood, and its go-anywhere attitude certainly made up for minor shortcomings. If you’re looking for an SUV that offers a bit of everything—style, space, tech, and the ability to take on road trips or the occasional off-road challenge—the Terra Sport VL is worth checking out.
