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:

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  My new favorite - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Madog - January 17 - 8:50 pm

  Last winter I couldnt get out of my drive in my 2wd Explorer so I went in search of a replacement. I ended up with an 07 SE 4wd. After about 7 months and 15500 miles of use, Im still very pleased with my purchase. I live on unimproved dirt roads that get severely rutted during heavy rains. The 4wd has came in handy numerous times, along with the other off-road capabilities.

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  I love it! - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By music77057 - January 16 - 7:16 am

  So far Ive only had my new truck 4 days and I LOVE IT! I love the space, the ride and all the feature it has and more than I expected. I really recommend this vehicle if anyone is looking into buying one. So far the gas mileage is good, as I expected with a truck and not like a car but I still love it.

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  A Great Car For Anyone - 2012 Nissan Xterra
  By olaf_c - January 12 - 8:04 pm

  I bought a 2012 xterra pro-4x with about 9k miles on it about 4 months ago. So far the car is extremely reliable, fun to drive and looks good. The only thing I do not like about the car is the cheap interior but even then it is made up for with comfortable leather seats and a great stereo. I also take it off roading and it is extremely good. Other jeeps can barely keep up with it. If you dont have fun in this car then you havent been off-roading in it.

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  Great SUV - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Michael - January 11 - 10:30 am

  After looking around, we decided that the Nissan Xterra was the best deal for the money -- cost less than Toyota, better then Jeep. It has been great so far -- reliable, helpful, definitely big enough for family stuff and my kayaking. Only downside -- lower gas milage than the Honda Civic it replaced -- the the ability to get places, drive in snow, and store stuff outweigh that.

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  2007 Xterra issues - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By schott5504 - January 10 - 10:39 pm

  I have owned my 2007 xterra for 15 months now, and its a love/hate relationship. I purchased mine used, with 58k and purchased the (unusually expensive) extended warranty with it. Shortly after purchasing the car, the radiator began leaking and was replaced. Then the rear differential seal began leaking and was replaced. Soon after that the entire rear end basically gave out, and the transfer case, rear differential, and rear axel were all replaced. Now the rear hatch quit locking, and the water outlet on the engine block is leaking coolant.. I love this car but with 74k and already $5400 of maintenance (luckily mostly covered) in 15 months it may not be in my garage much longer.

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  I really enjoy it - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By IamAng - January 5 - 7:16 am

  The gas mileage isnt great only about 22mpg. The ride is really nice, I love sitting so high up. The exterior design is really different. The interior is mostly plastic that scratches easily.

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  Great Little SUV - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By rickp - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a terrific SUV. The acronym of Stupid Usless Vehicle does not apply to the X. It performs well on the highway, it is comfortable and nimble on the streets. If the X has a problem it is in that it is not a cheep vehicle to operate. The Gas milage is poor and the engine could use a few more CIs. The bottom line for the X is its off road capability. This little truck has never backed up to any off road situation that I have put it into. Granted it is not a FJ40, but the unit will take you anywhere that a sane person wants to go.

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  exterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By deebee - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Underowered, gets lots of looks