The Nissan Terrano returns as an upcoming electrified SUV in China
Remember when Nissan teased a new body-on-frame off-road SUV concept? We described it as a potential Ford Bronco rival based on what we saw in the very shadowy image. Well, we were wrong.
Fully revealed at the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026), the concept is actually a more traditional body-on-frame SUV that’s about the size of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (250). It even takes on the Terrano name, marking the revival of the old nameplate of the Japanese automaker’s pickup-based SUV offering from the 90s.
And while no specifications and expected features were revealed, Nissan did say that the Terrano will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This tells us of the possibility of it sharing its powertrain with the Frontier Pro PHEV pickup truck. If you want to know what that is, it’s a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, paired to dual electric motors, and producing a combined of 402 horsepower and 800Nm of torque, with up to 135km of all-electric range.
As for its styling, it mixes sleek and rugged design cues, and is very Land Rover Defender-esque. A large front overrider and muscular wheel arches give it a wide and tall stance, and it also features a tailgate-mounted spare tire. Its size, while not yet officially announced, also hints at the possibility of having a third row of seats.
If you’re familiar with the D21 Terrano (or its Nissan Hardbody pickup truck sibling), you’ll also notice that some design cues have been integrated to the Terrano PHEV Concept. That includes the 18-inch wheels, and the front grille features rectangular light signatures.
The interior has not yet been revealed, but we won’t be surprised to see some similarities with the Frontier Pro. We can expect a large infotainment screen, piano key-style buttons, and a two-spoke steering wheel, among others.
Nissan says that the Terrano PHEV is scheduled to be revealed in production form within one year. It truly is exciting, especially with it being the revival of an iconic nameplate, and is also a sign of good things to come to the previously struggling and now recovering Japanese automaker.
Once fully revealed, do you think Nissan Philippines should launch the Terrano PHEV? After all, there are several hints of the Frontier Pro’s arrival as well.
Photos by Sam Surla
