2002 Nissan Xterra - Styling Tweaks and Supercharger New for 2002
Nissan found an untapped niche when it launched its popular Xterra in the fall of 1999. While the competition was busy building car based mini-utes for 4x4 pretenders, Nissan offered up a vehicle that actually excelled off the beaten path.
Consider the Xterra a Land Rover for moderate-income earners. It's way cool, and goes just about anywhere. To prove this point I purposely attempted to get it stuck on the beach. Thick, deep sand covered the base of the meaty 17-inch all-terrain tires. While this wasn't as treacherous as scaling a 60 % rocky crag, it was a worthy challenge that would stump lesser SUVs. Of course the Xterra had no problem digging its way free, thus I was off to see what else it could take. Up a set of logging roads, one graded, the other looking more like a Sherpa's trail - no problem for the all-steel body-on-frame Xterra. Its standard engine and fuel tank skid plates helped me rest assured that I wouldn't damage anything vital during my exploits.
The Xterra is wonderfully civilized despite its rough and ready capabilities. The interior is spacious with seating for five adults. Its 50/50 split folding rear seats are positioned stadium style, slightly elevated for an optimal view of the road ahead. The 2002 model sports new interior fabrics, aluminum look trim and a redesigned instrument panel including a cockpit-style gauge cluster, deep console with a map pocket, power ports and push-out cupholders.