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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  Traded in after numerous repairs - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By houstontxowner - December 20 - 5:30 pm

  Absolutely loved my Xterra, kept it maintained and planned to keep it a very long time. Then the problems started after I hit 60,000 miles. Fuel sensor, several batteries, belts (that had screeched since 1 year old and dealer couldnt figure out), then the tensioners, timing chain. After that $1,000+ repair, saw online all the radiator leaks into the transmission being reported and decided to cut my losses and traded it in. Received notification of an extended warranty on the radiator/tranny failure to 80,000 miles the week after I traded it. Had 70,000 on it anyway and would not have been willing to take a chance on needing that $5,000 repair. Depressing.

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  Gets the job done - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By jayhawk - December 12 - 11:13 am

  I wanted a vehicle that would not leave me stuck on some remote ranch road and would tow a decent sized trailer. I added mud terrain tires. It has done all I have wanted and I am still pushing the limits.

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  very nice suv - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By fitty - December 1 - 11:43 pm

  great for family with dogs. easy to keep clean. fun to drive. excellent options. great value for the ride.

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  Great SUV - 2011 Nissan Xterra
  By thisnthat3 - December 1 - 9:17 pm

  Ive had a number of different SUV brands over the years, this by far is the best. It is a "true" SUV not a crossover, lots of space & just generally a great fun car to drive. Very reliable, have driven back & forth down South a few times w/o any problems whatsoever. It was a year old when purchased.

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  quite pleased - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By smabes - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Aside from a few little odds and ends that I would improve, I feel as though the car has lives up to its name and has proven itself worthy out in the woods. I tow things with it, carry canoes and kayaks with it, although this is sometimes difficult as the height of the car is a bit high, and have had lots of fun 4-wheeling around in the woods and getting around town when 9 inches of snow falls in a day and the city doesnt feel like plowing. Overall, I dont feel bad about getting it dirty or even a little scratched up...as long as I have a good adventure to go along with it...and thats what I think the Xterra is all about

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  Back to xterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By grahamcracker977 - November 23 - 4:06 am

  Had a 2001 Xterra, loved it but it lacked power (only 170 HP back then and hesitated at 2000 rpm) and felt like a tin can (doors very light). Only problem was auto windows going out. Drove a 2003 Frontier and 2005 Dodge Hemi 1500 (hello Gas prices and expensive service requirements), I went back to Nissan and tested out the 06 Xterra. Would have went 4X4 but dont do too much off roading in Houston. The difference is incredible. More power, no more hesitation and it feels like a safe/substantial vehicle now. So happy to be back in this workhorse. MPG on the way to work on highway as high as 27. Beats 16 in the Hemi and unlike the Dodge, I know it will go longer than my car note

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  Stu Nissan Xterra 05 - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Stuart - November 17 - 2:56 pm

  My first SUV. Test drove a Jeep Liberty but wanted a little more size for min. cost. Cant beat the quality, reliability, design and cost of the 2005 Xterra. For the younger crowd, you cant beat this SUV!

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  1st. year in Production,I would buy a dozen more. - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Adam Sands - October 30 - 2:57 am

  You should know that you have a reliable,safe,vehicle that will go anywhere,everyday.My x-terra owes me nothing.Over 200,000 miles.still perky and strong.I have a 5 speed man.trans.and Ive had to replace clutch @ about 130,000 miles.after driving lessons with 2 kids and towing a boat out of the water every weekend.Ive only had a few issues through the years.A/C compressor failed after 100,000 mi.quick fix= removed belt and rolled down windows.Broken leaf spring,due to rust sand/salt is a challenge here in MA.Dealer replacement springs were about $325.local mech repaired+new shocks.DIY tune ups are a challenge to get the #5 spark plug out.*tip= after tune-up check that ALL spark plugs were replaced.honest repair men are rare.The only "issue I had was getting the "4wd"to disengage back to 2w drive.theirs a sequence.drive 35mph in 3rd gear and shift out of 4wd.some times it takes awhile for it to go back to normal drive.Thats it for issues..AWESOME truck for snow,rough roads,hills,and trails.The only reason Im getting rid of my xterra is that I cant keep up with the RUST spots.Mine started on the back hatch ,little blisters,and every year it spreads all over.Good thing I am so handy with bondo and primer paint finishing.I LOVE MY TRUCK.

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  Good for what it is - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By rizzo - October 28 - 10:43 pm

  I replace my VW Passat with this vehicle, and based on my experiences with nissan, I am expecting better reliability. First of all, this is a truck, if you want a car, or an SUV that drives like a car -- dont but this vehicle. Utility is great, with little storage spaces everywhere. It drives alright for a truck, and seems pretty stable. Im 64", nad have a enough legroom - something that set it apart from others in its class. Im getting about 18 MPG, which is ~ok~, but certainly not good The only real negative is he stock setero -its gotta go - terrible brakes are a little soft for my liking, but I am comparing it to a BMW 325 and VW Passat.

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  Off road enthusiasts rejoice! - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By koobsw - October 28 - 8:46 am

  Well I am a camper, hunter, and an outdoorsmen and this vehicle does it all. I also needed something to tow my two atvs to the sand dunes and with a 5,500 lb. towing capacity it is a breeze. I also considered the fj cruiser but after test driving both this was the clear choice. the xterra has more horsepower more torque and similar features, but is alot cheaper. the fuel economy is bad but for me it is worth the 265 hp and 281 ft. lb. torque. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who needs a daily driver but also spends a considerable amount of time off road.