These days, most automakers sell an inexpensive car-based SUV at least partially targeted at younger buyers. Nissan, because of shaky finances in the late 1990s, but perhaps also to carve out its own niche, took a different tack when it introduced the Xterra in the 2000 model year. Based on the Frontier pickup, the Xterra rode more stiffly, handled more ponderously, accelerated more slowly, and got much worse fuel economy than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Despite these disadvantages, it generated a healthy amount of buzz and sold well. Credit a lower price than other conventional SUVs, greater off-road capability than the car-based competition, and the most rugged styling in the class.
Part way through this model year Nissan introduced a thoroughly redesigned 2005 Xterra. The SUV now shares a platform and powerful V6 with the also recently redesigned Pathfinder. But the base price is also $3,500 higher than it was five years ago, and nearly $3,000 higher than it was last year. With this former advantage greatly reduced--especially compared to heavily discounted domestic SUVs--can the new Xterra hope to achieve as much success as the first one? I took a base-trim model for a test drive to find out. Then, because the salesman was pushing a leftover 2004, I test drove that one as well for the sake of comparison. I'll also compare the Xterra with the Pathfinder, which I drove and reviewed earlier this year.
Styling The new Xterra is styled much like the old one, complete with the same distinctive stepped-up roof with tubular roof rack. Most people probably won't notice that it is new. Those that do might note that the new sheetmetal is smoother, with rounder transitions. These changes take the Xterra a bit upscale but also water down its rugged aesthetic.
Inside the Xterra clearly shares a basic design with the Pathfinder, but with downscale details and downgraded materials. Some will perceive the interior as utilitarian. Others will perceive it as cheap (if not quite as cheap as the 2004's interior). They'll both be right.
Accommodations The Xterra's driving position continues to be significantly higher than the Pathfinder's, courtesy of a higher roofline. Add a healthy amount of glass, and visibility is the sort that leads many people to buy an SUV. The seat itself is adequate, but notably less comfortable than that in the Pathfinder. Those taking the Xterra off-road will probably wish for more lateral support.
The Xterra's wheelbase is a half-foot shorter than that in the Pathfinder. Yet rear seat legroom doesn't suffer too much, because the rear seat is positioned far off the floor. Remember that kick-up in the roof? Here's where it pays off. The front seatbacks are close to your knees, but your legs are able to go pretty much straight down. On the other hand, the door opening is very narrow, making it more difficult than usual to get in and out. And, fairly typical of an inexpensive SUV, the seat is flat and firm.
Unlike in the longer Pathfinder, but like the compact competition, no third row is offered.
Of course, since Nissan continues to target young adventurers with the Xterra, the rear seat could spend most of its life folded anyway. Because of the Xterra's relatively short length its 65-cubic-foot cargo volume is compact SUV territory (the Pathfinder offers 79 cubic feet). This still permits quite a bit of stuff to be carried, especially since most Xterra's will be sold with a folding front passenger seat. One nit: when folded, the front passenger seatback is a few inches higher than the rest of the cargo floor. Still much better than a non-folding seat: you can carry some long items in this SUV. Additional items can be carried on the roof. To aid the loading and unloading of these items--the roof is very high--steps are built into the rear bumper.
On the Road The salesperson was clearly a car guy. He called the new Xterra "a dog," and recommended the car-based Murano as a superior alternative. At least when he wasn't recommending the 2004 Xterra. I detected his bonus structure at work.
Well, I wouldn't quite call the Xterra a dog. The 2005's 265-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 certainly provides much stronger acceleration than last year's decidedly wimpy 180-horsepower 3.3-liter, much less the no-longer-offered four cylinder. The 2005 might not be blazingly quick, but it's plenty quick for an SUV, especially at around-town speeds. Even though the engine is a thoroughly modern DOHC unit, it sounds very much the gruff truck engine. No doubt by design.
The four-wheel-drive is a part-time system, and thus only for use on loose or slick surfaces. For a full-time system in a Nissan, you need an uplevel Pathfinder. Odd in this day and age. Still, I expect the Xterra acquits itself well off-road, though I didn't personally test it there. Note that skid plates are only available with the Off-Road trim, where they are standard. The Off-Road with automatic transmission also includes hill descent control, where a steady slow speed is maintained down steep slopes. This feature is usually only found on more expensive SUVs.
While the new Pathfinder has an independent rear suspension, the 2005 Xterra continues with a live axle in back. Still, it rides nearly as well as the Pathfinder, and considerably more smoothly than the rough and bobbly 2004. You won't mistake the ride for that of a car, there's still too much jiggling and minor bobbling about for that. But a great improvement nonetheless. Especially in terms of "feel." The 2004 feels much cruder.
Handling falls between the 2004 Xterra and new Pathfinder. The Xterra is taller than the latter, and thus leans more in turns, feels a bit tippier, and generally feels less nimble despite its shorter wheelbase. In this regard it's about average for a conventional SUV. Still, its much more composed and less ponderous feeling than the 2004, which can be hard-pressed to get out of its own way. Noise levels stack up similarly.
Nissan Xterra Price Comparisons and Pricing As noted earlier, the 2005 Xterra is priced considerably higher than the 2004. Even comparing V6 models the price is up about $1,500. As a result, while the new Xterra starts well below the Pathfinder, it draws within a thousand dollars if you add features standard on the latter--power windows, power locks, stability control, automatic transmission, trailer hitch, and so on. Adjust for remaining feature differences, and invoice to invoice the gap narrows to a few hundred dollars. Unless you want a bare bones vehicle, the Pathfinder is the better buy.
Other inexpensive SUVs that offer a transfer case include the Jeep Liberty, Kia Sorento, and Suzuki Grand Vitara. The last has been thoroughly redesigned for 2006, and is the clear bargain of the bunch with a price about $6,000 less than the Nissan's. The others are about $2,000 less thant he Nissan. The Xterra just isn't the bargain it used to be.
Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, www.truedelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)
TrueDelta's page for the Xterra:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Xterra.php
Last Words The 2005 Xterra is much better than the 2004 in just about every way, the only exception being its slightly watered-down exterior styling. Compared to most other conventional SUVs, its performance is at least average, and its sticker price is lower.
But the Kia Sorento's price is much lower still. Especially with the current employee pricing, a Jeep Liberty also costs thousands less.
And so I can only marginally recommend the Xterra. It's a good, modestly priced conventional SUV, but it no longer has this segment all to itself. Even at the Nissan store the Pathfinder is a significantly better vehicle, but doesn't cost much more.
A Note on Nissan Xterra Reliability I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've started collecting my own data. Results, once they are available, will be posted to my site, www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.
Unlike other sources, TrueDelta will clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy an Xterra rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). You will be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in Nissan Xterra reliability comparisons.
Before I can report results, I need data on all cars--not just the Xterra--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive
free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants will have to pay an access fee.
For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.
A link to this website and alphabetized links to
my other vehicle reviews can be found on my
profile page.
Some of my reviews of related vehicles:
Honda Element Review Jeep Grand Cherokee Review Jeep Liberty Review Kia Sorento Review Land Rover LR3 Review Nissan Pathfinder Review Suzuki Grand Vitara Review
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