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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  Hotttt Car - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Owls27 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Hey, Im seventeen and just got one. Beatiful car, all compliments to nissan on this because all i do is get compliments. Its fun, nice handling, cd quality is nice, and its awesome. Not a race car, not a monster truck, so i dont know why people think that it should be faster and more powerful.

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  After 5000 miles already trading it in - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Apollo_X - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving SUVs before they were called SUVs and this is the absolute worst one Ive owned. Bought it brand new and even after 2 test drives, it seemed well enough, but once we got it into traffic, the total lack of driver side leg room proved to be a huge challenge just to find a remotely comfortable pedal to steering wheel position. This, along with the poor pick up is just too much for me and my wife to keep the vehicle. Also, the day after we bought the truck, the speedometer/odometer stopped working. Took two months and three trips to the dealership to get fixed. Total disappointment since we really want to like the truck.

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  rating of 2004 xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By hbaker - March 9 - 10:00 am

  this suv combines a rugged truck style with a suv size. the ride isnt build for comfort. rough bumpy ride as a truck would have.

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  Cool truck, but not great quality - 2009 Nissan Xterra
  By cobra7 - March 1 - 8:56 pm

  I bought this truck and loved it for the first 13,000 miles or so. The RF stereo sounds great, the Bluetooth phone system is great and the potential capability of the truck is excellent. However, at around 13,000 miles, the vibrations and squeaks started making me question the long term quality. There is an odd metallic vibration that comes from the front of the truck when the engine hits about 1750 RPMs when driving. Also, while I dont mind the appearance of the hard plastic interior materials, they do scratch easily. This is mostly a problem in the cargo area, where hauling basic, normal will leave it scratched up after only a couple of times. The roof rack is fantastic, though.

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  Nice simple truck - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By Tyler - February 23 - 1:20 pm

  We have had the Xterra for 6 months now, and it has been great. It has great power for an SUV, and is pretty roomy inside for my family of 4. I get around 16 mpg in town, and around 20 on the freeway. I am 63" and have plenty of leg room. While it is plenty quiet on the pavement, when you get on a dirt or gravel road, the it resonates and is quite loud. I have the tow package, and have towed a small trailer once, it did great.

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  Traded Nitro for Xterra SE - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By nickstnick - February 13 - 5:26 pm

  Heres one for ya... bought Nitro 6 mo ago, never happy for a number of reasons. Xterra has excellent body fit, more acceleration smooth engine, good front seat legroom and overall is a better built vehicle smooth as a gravy sandwich. It sits higher, has similar gas mileage and low range transfer. Roof rack is a plus. I am much happier with this beautiful SE Xterra.

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  All the right stuff - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By cp4wd - February 12 - 1:43 am

  I wanted the most capable off-road vehicle without having to modify. Think Jeep Rubicon capability in a far more reliable and refined truck that also seats five. I live in Colorado where off-roading is a passion. With rear lockers, hill descent control, 9.5" of ground clearance and the new 4.0 265 HP engine, you have one rugged and extremely capable 4x4. Pleasant and fun on-road with a well thought out no-nonsense interior and full instrumentation. A winning combination all around. My Xterra has been 100% reliable with no mechanical or fit and finish issues. The Xterra has exceeded all my expectations.

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  Xterra - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By stultze - February 6 - 3:06 am

  Great truck. Good performance, great build quality, OK gas mileage for a 6 cylinder SUV, good looks and a blast to drive both on and offroad.

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  Hurricane katrina tough - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By GVW - February 6 - 12:03 am

  This vehicle proved itself in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. My wife and I, plus our 3 dogs returned to the Mississippi gulf coast 3 days after the storm. Trying to be prepared for everything we may need, I purchased a trailer hitch mounted cargo carrier. Then we loaded this vehicle down with everything from small window ACs,cases of water/food, 6- 5gal gas cans full, bateries, dog food, etc. Things were tied to the cargo carrier on top, under our feet, and in every possible space. The vehicle performed beautifully on the road, going around downed tree/debris, cutting through yards and through shallow ditches. Wife said she felt secure in the vehicle.

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  good for what it is - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By bugs bunny - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Everything they said about it was true. The gas millage is lackling and the ride is hard for 500 miles of highway, but man cannot live by gas millage alone. The Xterra does what I bought it to do. Take Scouts camping and get in rough areas with ease. I dont notice the whine of the suppercharger but you can feel the power when it is need and I am very happy with my choice