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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  Lot of BANG for the BUCK - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By BigJbren - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I test drove many SUVs in this price range and the standard features on the Nissan Xterra XE make it amazing. AC, CD, Roof Rack, Running Boards, ect. It comes with alot!! To me the Xterra gives a very nice ride, great handling, and is very practical with many hooks in the back to tie down items, and i love how the rear seats fold flat!! GREAT VEHICLE

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  Fun to drive and reliable - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By DSuteu - January 11 - 8:33 am

  I live in New England, and used to own a Ford Mustang :(. After a really bad snow storm last December, I decided that owning a 4X4 vehicle is a MUST, so I purchased the Xterra. What a fun SUV to drive! Coming from a smaller car I was worried about its size and visibility, but after only a week of driving it, it felt like Ive been driving it forever. It is fast on highway, and quick to respond in city traffic; smooth acceleration, great braking, not to mention the 4X4 performance in snowy conditions. Its gas mileage improved significantly from about 14mi/g to almost 17mi/g (I now have 3k miles on it). I truly like it!

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  Love my Xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By xterraowner - January 11 - 8:33 am

  I bought this new in 2004 and now have 67,000 miles in 2010. Love my Xterra just like it was brand new. Never any major problems, have serviced on regular maintenance schedule and its driven like a charm. Would buy this vehicle again and again. Love the 4WD when I need it which isnt often, but when I do I am so happy. This is an excellent vehicle to own!

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  The Intimidator/XTERRA - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Eddie C. - January 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my second XTERRA and by far the best vehicle I have owned. I bought the XTERRA because it reminded me of the Nissan Patrol I drove when working in Saudi Arabia in 1992-1993. The XTERRA is the intimidator of SUVs, looks tough and is tough. It has very good lines, good performance, and the tighest turning radius...probably second to the military version of the Hummer. I very much like the reliability built into the vehicle...get in and go. My XTERRA served me well during the major snow storm last February in Washington DC...I had a blast plowing through snow drifts and going where other vehicles dare not go.

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  holds up well during accident - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By ellablue - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I love my Xterra! Unfortuntly i was in a major accident in my Xterra that resulted in $12,000 worth of damage. If not for my Xterra i would have been badly injured or even worse. Instead i am very lucky to have walked away with only a broken arm. So you can have the peace of mind knowing that your Xterra will hold up very well in a accident. The air bags deployed as the should have and remember to always wear your seat belt it could save your life.

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  Very reliable - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By matt - December 30 - 10:50 pm

  Very nice ride. I enjoy the sound system and the total perfomance of the SUV! I took my family on a camping trip at Patapsco Valley state park teaching my son to drive and he loved everything about it. The 4wd kicked you know what with no probs, beautiful handling and very user friendly - easy to learn, teach and drive in this beast. I would recomend this vehicle to everyone who wants to turn over to the SUV world, trust me youll never go back to a car! Nissan hit this one on the head! Thanks for a beautiful SUV, keep it up.

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  05 Xterra S 6-speed - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Jim - December 24 - 2:23 am

  Bought it used with 900 miles, have put 5000 miles on it, with no problems. Fun to drive, very roomy, handles and performs well. 6-speed Manual gets up to 25 mpg on the highway. Glad that I bought this vehicle.

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  Everything I need, nothing I dont. - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Cory - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Killer vehicle. A little light on the power, but still a blast to drive. Manual transmission makes all the difference. Gas mileage bites the butt a little, but highway driving to/from school on weekends will do that. Sweet looks (better than the 2002, I think) and no frills, no nonsense approach.

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  Awesome - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By 25 year old X owner - December 22 - 1:40 pm

  Very well built and well thought out veh. All the little things like tie downs, roof storage are, dual glove box, door cup holder, are great to have. This veh would not be a very good for people who would have to use the back seat b/c of fender/wheel clearance area. Other than that this veh is awesome. Strong motor, good steering, nice stereo (even the standard one), in trunk floor storage, etc. All of the seats will fold flat including the front passenger seat. There are steps on the rear bumper which allow access to the roof of the vehicle if needed. Engine feels strong and I havent had a single problem with this veh since the day i bought it new

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  Rust Bucket - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Sonja Richardson - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Xterra 4 months ago. 1st time I washed it I noticed rust all over. I took it to 2 Nissan Dealers. 1 would not do anything, the other is willing to give it a acid bath. What a joke. It will be a complete rust bucket with in a year.