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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  Overall Good - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Richard - August 11 - 4:23 pm

  Lots of HP for the gross weight giving the vehicle a lot of pull. Has a good design interior with hooks and tie downs making it very versatile. Love the fold down front passenger seat, the second row has lots of leg room and head room (I am 62"). Very easy to remove the spare, has lots of room between the driver and passenger. Quality built molding, plastics and seat cloth will last. VDC allows it to perform and handle like it has a much lower center of gravity through twists and turns.

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  No more Fords.... - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Parisiv - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck....ended up tradeing an 02 Escape that had nothing but problems for this machine and Ive never felt more liberated!!!! Getting an awesome deal for fully loaded SE @ $22,500 also made it even more sweeter. Outstanding feel, fit, finish, and looks. Gas is another issue, but well worth it for the reliability. Would recommend to everyone to check it out.

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  Xterra Review - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By b. shrock - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Great performance off road for 4WD V-6 models. Good ride and comfort. Fuel economy could be better.

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  Driven into the Ground - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By 4 Sale Cheap - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Canteen 4x2 Xterra with all options (fosgate stereo rocks!) without thinking that i would want 4wd or Supercharged. Buyers remorse settled in. i an thinking about selling mine and trading up. I am 16, so trust me, the X has great handling. i would have rolled half the other SUVs already, and the turning radius is amazing.

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  4 Guys and Their Stuff - Anywhere! - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Xtrapol8 - July 25 - 8:33 am

  The FJ Cruiser and the 4-door Rubicon are both excellent vehicles that also have serious off-road capabilities and a manual transmission ... but Ive made the right choice for me. Three other 6 200lb guys can accompany me into oblivion for a 5-day canoe trip and return home again nothing but pleased with the Xterra. On the flipside, my 52" 100lb wife and my 4 and 7 year old children love it too. Soon Ill get some proper rock sliders that they can use as a step up into the truck. For a truck that you sit ON and command, and that will do almost anything, the Xterra is remarkably quiet and easy to drive in town and on the highway. High end stereo/CD/MP3/iPod helps too.

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  my review - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By josher - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I luv this car!!!! its so much fun to drive.

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  Either love it or hate it - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By John (Seattle) - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought a silve 2002 SE V6 4X4 two weeks ago. Bought it because of it looks more rugged than CRV and RAV4, is more reliable than the domestic offerings. Its actually bigger inside than I thought. Not enough power in base V6 but OK in day to day driving. A little high to get in and out of but that doesnt bother me too much. Build quality is OK but nowhere near Honda quality (for example, the temp control switches feel like its made in China). Handling is good if you dont drive it like a sports car. Brake is excellent. Sitting very high, which I love. The styling is the best I have seen in all SUVs outthere which is why I bought it.

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  great suv - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By ttb2873 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a great SUV, I have really enjoyed it. Great on and off road, 4x4 is much better than 2000 model. Effortless hill climbing with the super charged engine. Flew up the continental divide in Colorado, no engine strain at all. Design inprovements from earlier model are noticeable.

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  Only the best SUV there is... - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By AJB - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Whats great about the Xterra are the different exterior colors that are offered... many other SUVs come in just the conventional/traditional/"boring" colors and it is a remarkable experience driving around my brand new Xterra - the car does not seem to blend in with all the rest of them on the road.

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  Love it! - 2011 Nissan Xterra
  By offroads11 - July 16 - 4:27 am

  the 2011 Nissan Xterra S is our first Nissan. As far as brand we will never buy outside Nissan. The Xterra is a true SUV. Handles great off road and on long road trips. We love the outside design as well as the interior. For the price it is a great buy!!