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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  Faulty radiator design destroys transmission - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By argiad - September 1 - 4:06 am

  I too loved my Xterra up until a couple of months ago. Bad engine design results in a faulty radiator part leaking radiator fluid into the transmission, destroying the transmission and leading to upwards of $5-6k in repair costs. Early signs include a low rumbling while driving as though driving over rumble strips and disappear if you slow or accelerate. Do NOT ignore this! If you do you could end up with engine overheating at best or transmission failure while driving possibly resulting in an accident. This problem occured for me at 90K miles is a common occurance and for others has occured at as low as 50K. Nissan is fully aware of and has done nothing to fix the problem.

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  Xterra - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By intercom - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, drives like a truck, but in a good way, is great off road.

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  2003 xtera xe 4wd 3.3 6c - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By marty90OP - August 29 - 2:00 am

  over all a very pleasent vehicle if not a little under powered and hungry on gas. I have had the opertunity to use it to tow on a long trip,(240 miles and towing 1000lbs) and it was not bad, but was hard to keep up to speed without shifting down a gear on hills. Have yet to use it in snow, but I have heard about its good off road capabilities so Im looking forward to it.

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  260000 - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By themazemaker - August 24 - 2:35 am

  My wife bought her xterra brand new in 2000. have had some minor issues with it till it hit 250000 and had to have the tranny rebuilt. Must say that is awsume. having an overheating issue now and trying to track it down. usually when the Air is on it overheats but have not had any other issues to speak of. Love this Vehicle. Will buy another someday when this one goes to the car graveyard lol. it didnt give me an option for saying its an Automatic just manual.

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  Xterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Ralph - August 23 - 10:06 pm

  Very good to drive much like a car. A little stiff on bumps. Very roomy for sitting front and back. The Xterra is not for a big family, not enough storage room inside. A very fun SUV for two or three people.

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  My Xterra - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Kaykamaka - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Xterra, but am thinking of trading it in for a new car after our recent ice storm. I know that all cars have problems on ice, but I could not even get traction in my driveway. I felt very unsafe in it even after the roads cleared a little. The noise from the road is bothersome while on highway. Should come equipped with rainguards on the window. Basic interior, awesome exterior. Really sporty and fun to drive. Hard to clean interior for messy drivers (like me).

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  Great Buy! - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Jason - August 17 - 6:20 am

  This vehicle has all of the functionality you look for in an SUV. Great 4x4 performance and ground clearance, nice features, rugged, and extremely low maintenance. In the course of 2 years I have changed the windshield wipers! Highly recommend!!

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  rock solid Xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By akhdz - August 14 - 7:23 pm

  this is my second Nissan (97 truck was the 1st) and i love the truck feel of the xterra. i like the unique colors offered (mine is canteen green metallic) and that its a TRUCK. mine in the base I4 xe 5sp, which is why i got such a good deal on it (13,7k drive out with an extended warranty) if you have a small family, and need a REAL suv, id look for a pre-owned xterra. prices are sliding down (05 new body) and many on the market. since we live in houston (no mountains) the I4 is fine, plus i got 22mpg on my first full tank. im glad nissan didnt push the xterra too upscale, and made it affordable for all.

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  :( - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Scorepin - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I chose the Xterra becasue its a Nissan & always loved the car. Have no complaints about the ride or the gas milage, purchased knowing both were bad (the ride is NOT that bad). The vehicle has a major flaw that nissan cant seem to diagnois. At times it make a noise like a weed whacker,shakes, vibrates & wont excel over 50. Nissan plugs it into the computer and if it shows nothing then they say theres nothing wrong with it. They tell me if they dont hear the noise they cant (really mean wont) fix it. She has 5,000 miles on it and has been in the shop 6 times. Also be warned that this is my 5th new vehcile & Nissans service sucks.

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  An ok Vehicle with challenges - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Kevin - August 8 - 4:53 am

  Our Xterra gets 15 MPG city and about 21 MPG highway. At 36060 miles the gas tank level sensor died and I refuse to pay the $450 dollars to a dealership to fix it. The plastic Xterra logo on the rear has fallen off, so I glued it back on. The plastic cover on the windshield wipers has a tendency to come off at a car wash.. beware. The AC has started leaking into the passenger side floor... so gotta fix that now. Weve replaced the battery after 28000 miles, and new tires too. Currently the mileage is at 45650 after a recent 2500 mile road trip we made without incident. Overall, its an ok vehicle but lacking in quality parts. The mileage stinks too in my opinion.