First glance The tubular roof rack system as well as the flared fenders give the Xterra the look of a desert vehicle. Very bright colors, such as yellow, blue and vivid red, matched with black lower body cladding help this SUV always stand out wherever it goes.
Drivetrain The Xterra is based on the same platform as the 4WD Frontier pickup truck, which means that many components are shared. Standard equipment includes a 170-hp 3.3L V6, though a 210-hp supercharged variant is also available. Buyers can either opt for the 5-speed manual transmission or the 4-speed autobox. The four-wheel drive system with shift-on-the-fly 2-speed transfer case proves to be very capable on off-road trails. All models are also equipped with decent ABS brakes.
Behind the wheel While you're sitting inside a sport utility vehicle, you get the impression of driving a pickup truck with front seats that are very close to the floor. I also noticed that ride comfort is more akin to a pickup's than an SUV's; there's an undeniable stiffness at all times. Over rough terrains, however, these characteristics become pretty useful and accommodating. If you're an avid off-road enthusiast, you'll likely exchange comfort for capability. The choice is yours. The Xterra is a remarkably versatile vehicle that feels at ease in the city and even more so outside the beaten paths.
Interior The cockpit is comfortable and easy to get used to. The instruments are easily accessible, with the circular gauges giving the interior a sportier look. That being said, long drives can sometimes take their toll because of the Xterra's harsh ride on highways. The glovebox is huge and cupholders are aplenty throughout the cabin. My tester was further equipped with a good 8-speaker sound system including an in-dash 6-CD changer. On the down side, the high ground clearance makes entering the vehicle difficult for kids and small adults.
Final word The Xterra has a nice attire and offers good equipment but proves to be a little disappointing when you drive it for a long period. On the other hand, if you spend the majority of your time on mountain roads and off-road trails, you will be delighted, as this Nissan also offers great loading and towing capacities. While the competition is one step ahead, the Xterra remains a solid and reliable SUV for a targeted type of customers; those who own one would not want to exchange it for the world.