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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  SUV Xcitement - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Xmeister - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Xterra back in September 2003 and since then the excitement of driving this truck hasnt fade. Like others I did my research and read the reviews, folks the ride is not bad as others have claimed. Its a truck based SUV and I liked the ride now especially with the change to bilstein shocks. Gas mileage and power improve also after replacing the stock muffler with a magnaflow - awesome sound. Im sure Ill enjoy this truck for several years to come. Highly recommend!! (Check out the Xterra Owners Club for more info on this SUV!!)

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  The ride you have been waiting for - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Coach C - June 27 - 2:23 am

  I recently traded in a ford escape (02) for my new Xterra. After researching I decided that this was the suv for me. I love the power and so far it has handled well in the snow and ice. I am impressed, so far, with the build quality. I have only had the car for about 6 weeks but so far I am extremely impressed.

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  Perfect SUV - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Mr. Hill - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The most surprising element about the Xterra is the smooth ride. Most SUVs can be bumpy but Nissan builds the Xterra with rubber mounts around the frame and what a difference that makes. The Xterra is high up, higher than the Grand Cherokee and the standard runner boards makes it feel and look more rugged.

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  14 - 19 mpg NOT! - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Mange - June 21 - 2:00 am

  We just bought our XTERRA and the amount of gas it goes through is a disappointment. Nissan declares 14-19 mpg and were lucky to get 14 mpg highway. Very disappointing. The engine also takes 10-15 minutes to warm up, which means that Im driving with the engine screaming at 4000 rpm (62 mph). When the engine is finally warm, Im still at 3000 rpm (62mph). This cant be good. We are looking to trade it in after 4 months.

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  aint no mountain high enough........... - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By TIMMAAAAAYYYYYY - June 20 - 3:56 am

  Great looking exterior. Fit and finish are excellent. Rides like a truck, but that is expected. Gas mileage is sub par, but the fun to drive factor outweighs the gas mileage by far. I bought it for my wife for Christmas, and she loves to get up in the mountains and take her new truck off road over pretty substantial terrain (sand, medium boulders, dry river beds) It keeps on going as long as you can keep gas in it.

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  Dont pay MSRP! Great mid-size SUV. - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Jon, So. Texas - June 19 - 9:03 pm

  Just bought (4/06) my 2006 white X- Terra SE, pretty much loaded, including the Side Airbags and Tow Package (options SO1, W94, N93, F10, L92, B10, M10). I bought the wheel drive since Im only on the road. MSRP Sticker was $28,115, I paid $24,650+tax&title after the $1,000 rebate. Maybe I could have done a little bit better on the price, but this was the only X-terra with the side airbags in town, so I went for it! The power is great, which is a trade- off for the so-so milage... I like the power. The SEs options has some additional nice items (17" wheels, interior trim, fog lights, trip computer), but the best one is the 300-watt Rockford Fosgate system. Buy yours $3,500

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  Xterra is a great SUV - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Caroline - June 13 - 5:10 pm

  Ive had my Xterra rear-ended 3 times in 6 years and have never had any damage done to my car (granted all less than 5 miles an hour) but the same cant be said for the cars that hit me!

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  nissan exterra disposable - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By sadnissanowner - June 13 - 3:50 am

  after 5 yrs of maintenance, it now needs 5000$ worth of work just to be safe on the road. I have kept it maintained...costed more than my toyota tundra which is older and still like brand new

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  Great Truck for a Buck - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By johng - June 9 - 6:33 pm

  I purchased my Nissan X-Terra SE in 2005 brand new. I wanted BASIC reliable transportation and 4wheel drive. Live in the northeast. I have just under 40000 miles Ive replaced the brakes all around once along with routine maintenance. The truck always starts always gets me where I have to go. Wish the gas mileage was better but I knew what I was getting when I made the purchase. The engine has loads of power and handle like a stable truck. This is not meant to be a fancy ride. Its a basic good honest truck, thats it.

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  Cant WAIT to get rid of it! - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By crzymomma - May 30 - 2:23 am

  Nothing but trouble! For starters, the a/c sucks! I blow cooler air then my Xterra. We have had the a/c charged & it made the issue worse. It also doesnt blow hard enough for my kids in the back seat to even feel it at all. The sunroof leaks. Ive replaced the starter, battery, connector cables, timing belt, and radiator multiple times & we still get stranded. It doesnt crank 50% of time. Was told it has mechanical issues. Im waiting on it to catch fire!The front grey bumper fades & chips & looks awful! & the sad thing is, we just now hit 103,000 miles. The window motors are going out & the seal on windows leak and make lots of air noise when driving. I hate this thing! My kids hate it too!