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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  Oldie but still good - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By WILLIAM TOTEN - October 15 - 1:52 pm

  Buy it if mileage is appropriate for age and pricing consistent with Edmunds or KBB range. Must have Carfax and maintenance history

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  Xterra - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By The Beast - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Great styling, many complaints about the comfort of the front seats ( not my leather recliner, but I think they are OK) Very ruff drive on bummpy pavement, windows rattle when lowered, the hood is very flimsy and we all know about the sunroof.

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  Love the Xterra - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By mermansk - October 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought mine new at first release of 2000 model year. Sole owner. Marathon road trips, city traffic, towing and commuting. Wonderful balance between interior space, utility, horsepower, gas mileage, etc. Family of four traveling regularly. I own the SE version because I dont believe in power everything. Ive added power door locks/security system and a towing hitch. Basic maintenance is all Ive had to do. Bang for buck, its on top of the heap.

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  Good SUV if you likem - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By evilone - October 15 - 1:13 am

  All my ratings were based off of the several SUVs and trucks that Ive driven from an Explorer, Expedition, Tahoe, Denali XL, Jimmy, Ranger, F150, C1500, and CRV. The Xterra is its own vehicle and thats why it shines. The mileage and highway driving are not fun. I fear merging with this car b/c of the lack of power. But the sheer massive truck presence of the Xterra makes up for it. The hard engine sounds and road noise from crusing at 65mph sometimes does bother me especially when I see my gas tank meter drop. Going w/o a LSD was a big mistake. Interior is shabby but its a truck what do you expect. Overall a good performing truck however, Im starting to realize I like small cars.

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  X-treem mommy mobile - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By rain_mckenna - October 14 - 9:53 pm

  i love this vehicle. my only problem is the looseness of the steering wheel. it did take some time getting used to, but it proved out well in our 600 mile drive to FLA for spring break.

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  COMMENTS - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By GLENREEDER - October 2 - 2:00 am

  WORST VEHICLE IN MY 40YEARS OF DRIVING, WITH 12MILE TRANSFER CASE LEAKED OIL. HAD TO GET REPAIRED 3 TIMES.NISSAN SAID THEY NEW ABOUT PROBLEM. TOLD DEALER FOR ME TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND JUST KEEP PUTTING OIL IN. YOU BET! PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF ROAD AND PUT OIL IN A TRANSFER CASE.BIGGEST BUNCH OF JERKS I EVER HEARD OFF. NISSAN IS AN OVER-RATED, LOSSY CAR COMPANY.

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  Reliable Transportation - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Joseph - September 30 - 10:40 pm

  I do my part, oil changes, tires, brakes, etc. and this car keeps humming along. I drive 70 to 80 miles per day at 70 plus mph. during the week and take the occasional Georgia Mt. trip over rutted red clay trails-never a problem! Tough and reliable transportation.

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  Just what I expected - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By ABretz - September 20 - 6:30 pm

  I bought my Xterra used, and knew when I got it that the mileage was below average even for a mid-sized SUV. The trade-offs have been worth it. FUN to drive, great curb appeal, roomy cargo area, reliable engine performance. I have had ZERO problems with it mechanically, no window or CD failure here.

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  Xterra-Best buy in class of its own. - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Xtremely happy - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Xterra is HANDS DOWN the best buy for the money. If you complain about the ride, buy a car, its not an SUV if its not built on a truck frame. The more I researched this vehicle the more it stood out, if youre looking for an SUV thats affordable and can perform like a true SUV this is it. Look at the numbers, the X stands up to many others that cost a lot more. It does ride like a truck, but still is smooth. The CRV, RAV4, Escape, Tribute,-all big cars and compared with the X often, technically, they arent in the same class with Xterra. Xterra gives a no BS, skip the leather and wood trim dash answer to the affordable & highly capable SUV.

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  happy camper - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By mdukes - September 14 - 3:46 pm

  i love my Xterra, i had a pathfinder and wanted the Xterra as soon as they came out on the market and have never regretted it. reliable, comfy, and surpasses my expectations....