Nissan Xterra

Nissan Xterra Models

There are two Nissan Xterra models available, the XE and SE.

The base 4x2 XE comes with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. Four-cylinder models are only available with two-wheel drive. Nissan's 2.4-liter double overhead-cam four-cylinder engine is rated at 143-horsepower.

XE V6 models come with a 3.3-liter single overhead-cam V6 that produces 170 horsepower. A five-speed manual is standard, and a four-speed automatic is available. Three option packages are available: Utility, Power and Sport.

SE models come standard with the V6 and the equipment included in the XE's option packages. SE models also come standard with 16-inch (instead of 15-inch) alloy wheels and P255/65R16 all-season radials.

With the base Xterra XE, don't expect much of what Nissan is so actively marketing-those outdoorsy options. While the ruggedness is inherent in the Xterra, all the really neat stuff is in the packages, and in extra-cost accessories beyond the packages: neoprene seat covers, interior two-bike rack, and a tow hitch. You might even have to go to work instead of skiing, to pay for the Xterra you really want, to take you skiing.

Driving the Nissan Xterra

Thanks to high-tech sound insulation in places not normally insulated, Xterra is very quiet at freeway speeds. However, floor the throttle and the single-cam V6 gets pretty loud. And the luggage rack hisses in the wind. The Xterra sways at gusts and leans in curves, not surprising given its height and boxy shape; it is taller and longer than a Jeep Cherokee. That big vertical rear window provides excellent visibility, but it gathers dust and dirt like crazy. The optional rear wiper/washer is optional, but should be considered standard equipment for anyone who drives in anything less than perfect conditions on a dry road.

The front suspension is double wishbone; the rear is leaf springs with a solid axle. Power steering is by recirculating ball. The Nissan Xterra is nimble at slower speeds, feeling lighter than its 4130 pounds, and it actually steers more easily than the Frontier pickup, which comes with lower profile tires. At higher speeds there is a slight lag in the steering from the on-center position, but the straight-line ride is very nice. The chassis rides on the backs of 10 individually tuned dual-rate rubber chassis mounts, so there's no harshness there at all. At the same time, the Frontier's ladder chassis is certainly strong. The suspension takes bumps well; it sometimes has a bit more trouble with dips, which can be felt in the pit of your stomach similar to the feeling from a fast-stopping elevator. The suspension does a great job on washboard gravel roads. In corners, there's less sway than you might expect given the high center of gravity, but the head toss is significant over rutted and potholed dirt roads. Our test vehicle was a 4WD XE, so it came with 15-inch wheels. Get the optional limited-slip rear differential if you drive off road for the increased traction it provides.

Our 170-horsepower V6 was challenged to smartly drag the 4WD Xterra's body weight of 4130 pounds. We haven't tested an Xterra with the little twin-cam 143-horsepower four-cylinder engine, but guess that it must be downright burdened. Maximum torque of 154 foot-pounds for the four-cylinder engine comes at 4000 rpm versus peak torque of 200 foot-pounds for the V6 at just 2800 rpm-and lower is better for accelerating up steep hills or pulling away from an intersection.

Nissan's four-speed automatic transmission shifts up and down very smoothly, and its electronic calibration avoids hunting on hills-as long as you're not in overdrive. The four-wheel antilock brakes are big enough, although rear disc brakes would be a welcome upgrade from the rear drum brakes. The drums are understandable, however, because the Xterra is built on the Frontier platform, and the pickup is perfectly fine with rear drums.