NISSAN Terrano 3 Doors 1988-1993 Photos, engines & full specs

Nissan tried its luck on the European market with the Terrano's first generation, which was mostly a renamed version of the U.S. Nissan Pathfinder.

The Japanese automaker understood the increasing demands of Europeans for SUVs and offered them the Terrano with either three or five doors. Yet, both versions shared the same wheelbase and were powered by different engines than their American sibling.

Since it was designed in the early '80s, the Pathfinder sported the wedged styling of those times, and the Terrano I carried over that legacy. Yet, the car was refreshed in the late '80s and featured wider headlights and amber, bumper-mounted turn signals. Unusually, apart from the main grille, some versions featured three cut-outs on the front side f the hood to help cool the engine. From its profile, the two-box design shape sported two side windows behind the doors. There was a small, triangular one and a second for the rear side of the vehicle. That solution was needed to conceal the safety arch on the B-pillar. Finally, at the back, Nissan installed a tailgate where the rear windscreen could open upwards independently.

Inside, the driver and front passenger were seated on bolstered seats, fronting a squared-looking dashboard. Thanks to the tilting steering column, it was easy for the one behind the wheel to obtain a comfortable position. But for the bench' occupants, it was more difficult. They had to climb inside through the regular-sized front doors, and the legroom was not that impressive, to say the least.

Under the hood, Nissan installed a choice of three engines: two gasoline and one turbo-diesel. The latter was specifically designed for the European and British markets. Power went in all corners via a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic and a high-low transfer case.