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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  Family of Xterras - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By tex500 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  purchased this 2002 Xterra, 11 months after purchasing the previous years model for my wife. I have driven many miles in this Xterra, shooting photos at race tracks across America. It has has been down some of the roughest roads, and not skipped a beat. The (e)Xterior, when washed, looks as good as the day I drove it off the lot. I even use it to pull a cargo trailer at times. Before the trailer, we amazed ourselves at how much equipment we could fit in the back with the seats folded down. Highway mileage is about 18-19 mpg. Not what I expected when I bought the first Xterra, but actually an improvement over the 2001 model.

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  XTerra is Awesome - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By CPO Sharky - February 19 - 12:46 am

  I love this vehicle. I originally wanted an FJ Cruiser but I didnt realize that the XTerra was in my price range (a little cheaper than the FJ actually). Once I took it for a test drive that was all I needed to change my mind. You get a lot of vehicle for the price!! Also test drove the Jeep Liberty and it is garbage compared to the XTerra!

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  Good, but one major mechanical issue - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Denton, TX - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Good overall, but Ive been recently slapped with a big service bill, my left rear axel seal leaks oil on the brake shoes ($275) and the manifold leaks radiator fluid on the timing belt ($925). Disapointing for a newer car. The use of plastic on the interior moving parts is also a poor place to cut corners on manufacturing costs.

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  Love my X! - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By calypso - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a great truck. The S/C is a blast to drive. I feel like I could drive over anything, and this truck is very reliable and safe. Very roomy, and a slick looking truck. I love it!

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  ex-terra-ah!!!!!! - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By ex-terr-ah!! - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Excellent styling, handeling, and upper body roomieness. Sub-optimal (at best!) drivers side leg room. Brake, gas pedals and the center consel are crowded for feet and lower leg movement during driving. 170 hp V-6 is somewhat under powered for acceleration, but cruises effortlessly. Gas milage rivals a Sherman Tank! Good sound system. Archaic power knobs for mirrors / windows.

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  Wonderful SUV - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By desire - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This Xterra has been a god sent!!! It is great to be a 23yr old and be able to afford an suv that is reliable and doesnt make you look like you should be hauling the soccer team around. I have one child he is 2 1/2 and the car seat fits nicely he even has his own dvd player on the back of the passenger seat. There is more than enough hauling space. We have used it in the snow and believe me the first snow storm we had after we bought it we were looking for untouched snow, we had a blast and it handled as if there was nothing in its way. The ground clearance is just enough to do all the fun stuff off roding but not to high that you neeed a step stool.

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  In Love - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Scorepin - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased the Xterra XE 4x4 in yeloow. I am so in love with this vehicle. There are only 3 minor irritations. 1....horrible gas milage, 2. It could be a tad bit more confortable and 3. the arm rest is pratically non existent. The major draw back is it needs a bit more gusto. If its a smooth ride youre looking for and not an off road vehicle shop else where. If you want an outdoor vehicle capable of what the others only claim then the Xterra is for you. Fun truck, great colors. Peruzzi in Langhorne went the distance to get me this truck with what I wanted in it. Excellent warranty!

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  Nissans Edsel - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Cycle guy - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Great looks and is fun to drive, But... TOTAL Gas pig 11-13mpg. Interior falls apart while you look at it. Door panels have fallen off twice, the carpet pills up into little fuzzy balls as you step on it. The micro thin seat padding condenses after short rides leaving your backside to bump metal. The sunroof tilts open about 2" in the back, but thats it - for all the extra bux why bother to pay for a veiw of a plastic basket! The AC system has to be on in 55 degree weather, cause the heating system pumps out hot moist air all the timne, even in the "cold" position. Its been in the shop 3 times already for stupid stuff. This thing is a mess.

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  it s ok - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By NV - February 9 - 10:03 am

  Overall I love it very much.Its a nice looking truck. But so far I had the problem that make noise under the hood.I brought it to the dealer and they fixed right the way.But I dont know later it will coming back again or not.Do they will cover it when it was out of the warranty . The brake kind of vibrate and make noise really loud on especially on wet weather everytime you brake or stop at the traffic light .I dont know if outside the people could hear it or not, but inside its very loud and vibrated,feel the car is shaking. When you ran over the bump dont try to step on the brake it seem like it loose or something is out of place. I notice dealer they said It maybe the ABS sys.

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  Update Report From October, 2010 - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By hikercamper - February 2 - 9:11 pm

  42,500 Miles. Still under factory warranty - timing chain is being replaced. Gas mileage started dropping, so am having fuel service, including cleaning of fuel injectors and de-carbon valves. Rear shocks will be replaced with Bilstein shocks. Have received two notices from Nissan extending warranties on fuel sensor assembly to 60,000 miles and the radiator assembly to 72,000. Feeling concerned about the mechanical reliability of this vehicle. Thought the Xterra would have held up better than this. Bought new and have owned the Xterra for three and a half years.