While it hasn’t been sold in the United States since 2015, the Xterra was a quirky, off-road-oriented SUV. And today could be a candidate for your next 4×4 build. The second generation of this vehicle came with a 4.0 liter V6 engine which produced 265 horsepower. And it could be had with an automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Nissan has also given this SUV a number of off-road features. Plus, you can find one for under $20,000.
Should you buy the Nissan Xterra?
Since the Xterra has been around for quite some time, most of the problems have been identified. And overall, it’s a reliable used car to buy. If you’re shopping for an SUV that can handle off-roading or even overlanding, this Nissan is a solid option. And when you choose to buy used, you can avoid having to break the bank.
, the Nissan Xterra shared quite a bit of its DNA with the Nissan Frontier. It also borrowed some components from the previous generation Nissan Pathfinder. Because of this, the Xterra is a fairly rugged SUV with compact dimensions.
Can the Nissan Xterra go off-road?
In terms of off-road performance, even in stock form, the Nissan Xterra does a good job. Both all-wheel and two-wheel drive were available for the second generation. And if you want to take your Nissan SUV down the road less travelled, you’ll probably want a 4WD model. Available manual transmission may also be something worth considering.
The second generation of was sold from 2005 to 2015. At the end of its life, the Xterra had problems keeping up with various regulations. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it for a 4×4 build. Off-road models featured things like roof-mounted lights. And Nissan even included skid plates.
There are many noticeable differences between the first and second generation Xterra. And if you can afford the newer option, it’s probably worth splurging.
Does Nissan still build the Xterra?
The Xterra may have been a vehicle ahead of its time because, while it’s no longer built, there are calls to bring it back. Today, many buyers are looking for a truck-like SUV that can handle rough terrain. And that’s exactly what it was. As overlanding and off-roading become more popular hobbies, buyers are interested in alternatives to things like the Jeep Wrangler.
In other markets, Nissan sells an SUV known as the X-TERRA. It’s definitely more luxurious than the Xterra of yesteryear, it’s still rugged. But Nissan doesn’t sell that model in the US.
Nissan just gave the Frontier a major update. So the brand recognizes what people are looking for. If Nissan decides to introduce something like an updated Xterra stateside, it would no doubt attract the attention of those who take the road less travelled. Hopefully that happens.
