Overview & Reviews

The Nissan Xterra is a traditional midsize SUV with seating for five and serious off-road capability. Thanks to stout body-on-frame construction shared with Nissan's Frontier pickup, the Xterra is a beast on the trail and can tolerate a fair amount of abuse. The downside is that this Nissan lacks the on-road polish of car-based crossover SUVs you might buy instead.

The Xterra debuted for the 2000 model year. Later Nissan Xterras are similar in appearance and personality to the early models but have a slightly longer wheelbase, a roomier interior, more power under the hood and a few extra features. If you want a reasonably priced off-roader and find the Jeep Wrangler too crude for everyday driving, the Xterra is worth a look.

User Reviews:

• 

  Great Value on and Off Road - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By xterraoffroad - May 23 - 11:23 am

  I went from a Frontier to upgrading to the Xterra Off Road and WOW. This vehicle is an incredible performer on and off road. Its filled with everything you need like hill-descent assist, locking diffs, 4X4, lots of space and cargo hold, and nothing you dont. The seats fold completely flat, the roof rack has plenty of room for the kayaks, and the awesome 4.0 V6 has more than enough power to tow my 26 ft sailboat. I cant say enough about how smooth this truck rides and how well it conquers terrain off road. Surprisingly, I have been averaging 20mpg. I thought I would have done much worse, but it just makes this rig that much sweeter. Nissans 4.0L is indestructible. Highly recommend!

• 

  Not perfect. - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By X-lover - May 16 - 3:20 am

  This car is not perfect, but even a Lexus GX470 ($$$) has flaws. For less than $30,000, you get excellent acceleration, amazing handling, lots of space, good visibility, 8 airbags, ABS, the best stereo in class (Car&Driver, and my opinion), excellent off-road ability, 4 skid plates, 4WD, 5 speed auto, smooth and quiet highway ride, and many other not- so-visible features. It is really a joy to own this SUV, from going to the grocery store, to doing multi-day camping trips.

• 

  What a great little SUV. - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Lily - May 12 - 10:46 am

  My wife and I purchased this Xterra almost 7 years ago (when we had no kids) and it was worth the price. We finally paid it off and it has been a very reliable vehicle. It is very comfortable on long and short trips with the family. A family of 4 will fit comfortably. As I am now finding out, 3 in the back seat is a little too snug. Other than that I think 7 years ago we made a good decision that we still own today with over 81,000 miles on it. Other than one recall from the dealership, we have had no problems at all. In the future we probably would be better off with 3rd row seating. Other than that I would keep it.

• 

  Second Xterra - 2009 Nissan Xterra
  By Glen - May 4 - 2:23 am

  This is my second xterra. First was a 05 off-road 6speed. The new one is the same. 6 speed off-roads are soooo rare, had to jump at a new one. Still the best all around choice in a respectable 4x4 suv that can go "off-road" for real. But would like lower gears and a little more ground clearance. On the road, if you like power, this is the suv for the money.

• 

  Great Mid-Sized SUV - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By tobymcgee - May 2 - 10:13 am

  I bought a 2004 Xterra brand new and it was a great car until a patch of black ice and a telephone pole last week. Very safe vehicle, as I was uninjured from the crash. I had racked up close to 170,000 miles without any major issues, just your usual suspects (brakes, tires, etc.). Engine and transmission were still running great. The only thing I had noticed was the heater/AC blower motor would only work on high (seems to be a recurring Nissan problem, Ive had it happen to 2 other Nissans). Other than that, a great car! Im seriously considering buying another one to replace it.

• 

  Fast, Quiet, Functional, and Tough! - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Pete Dant - April 28 - 3:46 pm

  Amazing vehicle for the money. I traded a 2003 V8 Silverado for this more sensible vehicle. The turning radius is amazing, U-turns are no problem, parking is easy. Silent interior, yet firm suspension for taking turns. Effortless acceleration, plenty of power with instant throtle response. The Xterra looks tough, and stands out from the crowded SUV market. You can smack the dealers around all day and the deals keep coming, so be firm and ask them to add dealer accessories at no charge like step bars, hitch, etc.

• 

  Excitng at every turn - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By DougR - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Recently purchased my 2002 Xterra and cant be more pleased. The non-turbo charged 3.3L 6cyl has enough power when needed. The ride is very comfortable and you feel like youre on top of the world when youre in the drivers seat. Love the exterior look which was the buying point over all other SUVs.

• 

  2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4x review - 2011 Nissan Xterra
  By nissanboy1 - April 18 - 7:39 pm

  I bought my Xterra strictly for its offroad capabilities and here is my opinion after 36k miles: I bought a manual tranny model cause I was unsure if Nissan fixed the automatic tranny problem. First gear on the 6 speed is pretty good ratio wise for crawling around technical rocky terrain, I live in NV where that is most of the terrain. The stock tires were terrible offroad and should not be used in hard wheeling conditions. My Xterra would climb like a billy goat, but performed terribly in snow and mud as it wouldnt allow wheel spin to get through such. I blew up the front axle when I pulled the fuse to allow me to actually get the front wheels spinning in snow. Towing is sketchy!!!

• 

  2000 Nissan Xterra - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Ken K. - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Have owned an Xterra since October 2000. Has approx. 80000 miles and no major problems so far. It is a fun vehicle to drive. Has been great in the Iowa winters and provides a comfortable, secure ride. It has all of the creature comfort features you need without over doing it. Although there are features I would like to see incorporated in the vehicle, overall I have been very satisfied with its performance, dependability and looks.

• 

  Definitely up to expectations - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By prshea3 - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I have nothing but good things to say about my Xterra. Ive owned it for 3 months now, and the only thing I could complain about is gas mileage -- but I knew that going into the deal. The 4WD is terrific -- 12"+ snow banks were no problem at all this winter. The various tie-down points and metal hooks around the cabin are great for securing anything. And the heavy-duty rubber floor mats are a must-have -- theyve kept the dirt, salt, and sand off of the carpeted floors.