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:

• 

  2004 Nissan Xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By wendy - November 25 - 6:46 am

  I love my Xterra. It has been very dependable, drives great and the look is awesome. My gas mileage is not great, but having a SUV you have to expect that.

• 

  A Pain - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Sara Lee - November 25 - 5:26 am

  I love my suv! It drives awesome in the snow. I feel really safe and comfortable driving it. I feel like I can go anywhere. But since I have had it I had the wiring for my tail lights and dash lights replaced, at 55,182 miles my motor had to be replaced (crack in the block so on and so on), my exhaust manifold had a crack and was replaced, fuel sending unit replaced TWICE (factory recall). Check engine light keeps coming on and they cant figure out whats wrong. They replaced the wiring harness (wiring throughout the whole truck) but that wasnt it. Going in for one more try this week, while its being figured out Im looking at other vehicles to trade it in. Its been a pain.

• 

  Great Truck - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Niceynice00 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Im had the xterra for 5 years, 93K miles. So far so good. Nothing has ever broken down, and it still runs like new. I cant ask for anything more. Go anywhere capability, good wear on the brakes. Brakes are awsome. Changed the oil every 2500 miles, using castro syntec 5w50. I cant say enough about the build quality. A little bouncy on the but upgraded the suspension with a tokico kit and it rides well. GREAT CAR111

• 

  Great SUV for the $$ - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By sj - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with this purchase. We drove numerous SUVs before buying the Xterra. All others we tested were in the $30-40k range, but didnt see the point in paying that kind of money with the depreciation rate. Rugged design is nice and performance is very good. Turning capabilities are excellent and it handles very well on any type of road. Rides a little rougher since its based on truck chassis. Storage is ample with the seats folded down.

• 

  Xterra - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Gene - November 7 - 1:40 am

  Well I have had my 2001 Nissan Xterra for about a year and I have to say that this SUV is great to drive. I was very surprised by the fact that the braking response is excellent for an SUV, there is not that much of a delay. In the snow it has been fearless. My only complaint, like every one else, is the gas mileage is horrendous. I get no more then 250 miles on a full tank...and that is a combination of both city and highway driving, but mostly highway miles. But hey any of us who buy an SUV know what we are getting ourselves in to.

• 

  Throw away the radio - 2011 Nissan Xterra
  By mossman4 - November 1 - 1:59 pm

  Bad stereo, bad sound , No auxiliary jack, bad reception, disappointing.

• 

  xterra - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By nickker - October 31 - 10:00 am

  great ride....lots of get up and go...good quality construction

• 

  07 Xterra - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By I3oyet - October 24 - 2:23 am

  Purchased my 2007 Xterra back in October 07 and its been great so far with the exception of the rattling noise comming from the rear cargo cover. I am yet to take the cover back to dealr and have them figure out what is wrong with it. Overall I would say this vehicle will not disappoint you.

• 

  Great at first but then a disappointed - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By DD9 - October 20 - 5:46 pm

  I went from owning an IS300 to something more reliable in the winter. The Xterra was my favorite compared to the 4runner. Right after the 60,000 mile warranty expired, problems, serious problems that should not occur on a relatively new vehicle. between 60k and 7ok miles shaking in the seat, took it to the mechanic and he said U joints, front and rear. After the initial replacement, more issues with rear wheel bearing, more random vibrating. 77k the heater/ac resistor went. $140 for that plus install, Livid at this point. Went to Nissan, no dice, telling me to go and pay for Nissan tech to diagnose. Terrible customer service from Nissan N. America. 3 weeks gone by, Mike has not called.

• 

  My X-Terra - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By RARII - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my first SUV and I will buy another in a few years. This is everything I wanted in a 4X4 SUV and then some.