Full latter frame
5000# towing
Tons of room
offers Solar Yellow sport color
high ratio gearing to get the most performance and control
Coated bumpers for durability

Rear door layout makes entry and exit difficult
No vanity mirrors on visors
Rear cargo protective mat has cheap fasteners that BREAK
Pop up sunroof over power full opening sunroof
More torque and HP would be appreciated to keep RPM down

This is the best SUV on the planet, for value! Motor Trend agrees with the SUV of the year award. I obviously made my own decision and bought before the award came out. The leading points is full frame, 5000# towing, and good off-road ability. I compared Jeep Cherokees(really no comparison), and they are so cramped from their mini-ute design. NO ROOM, plain and simple, plus very unreliable. I work on these trucks and I can't ever understand why people think the JEEP name means something. Maybe the old Jeep CJs, and the new Wranglers(for ruggedness only). The new Wranglers had so many recalls, one from a problem causing engine fires. I knew one guy whose Wrangler burnt up.

What's unbelieveable about the Xterra is how smooth the truck(car) ride is. It's just about the most durable, off-road SUV on the market, but has one of the best rides. Can we say R&D? I have had friends immediately comment on this after one was in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and the other in a Dodge Durango. Surprisingly, the Xterra is about $4500 cheaper than both these vehicles(with the same features), but offers the same room, towing, and even better off-road capability. The styling on all three is awesome, but the Solar Yellow and heavy duty roof rack set the Xterra as the real enthusiast's SUV, not the rich yuppie's SUV. I am a working class fellow, who gets my nails dirty, and needs a truck to get to the job sites. I am Union and until recently, always bought U.S.(U.S., Mexican, and Canadian) built cars from Chrystler, GM, and Ford. Chrystler is a good company but makes unreliable cars. GM is a poor company who makes JUNK. Ford is a good company, that makes good cars, but has the screwed up Big 3 Philosophy, with questionable recalls and extremely high prices. To say the least, with all my NEW big 3 car purchases, it's hard to want to stay with them. I went with Nissan, because I got tired of throwing my money away on cars that were junk and unreliable. I can't afford to miss work from a BRAND NEW CAR's unreliability. It's happened many, many times! This Xterra is the best out there costing the same as the JEEP Cherokee, and only about $2000 more than the Toyota RAV4 and about $4000 more than Honda's CR-V. Those aren't trucks though. They are boxy "UNI-BODIES"(no real frame for durability) with AWD, not 4 wheel drive with a high and low transfer case ratio. Besides, the space and seating was designed for kids, not adults.

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Comfortable ride. Got plenty of looks when I was only one in my area to have one. Cassette and CD combo. A/T shifts almost without being able to feel it at times. My new 2000 Specialized will look sweet on the Yakima rack I just put on the trailer hitch. Fits in parking garage at work. Great workout to wash, dry, vacuum, and wax.

Definately made for the lower SUV market. Nissan cut corners and left many creature comforts off to get into this market. Fit and finish is good enough. No fuel door lock and it is on the passenger side of vehicle. Window of rear hatch does not open. Roof rack is easily removed and I fear stolen. Sun roof will not open when cargo basket is installed. Wind deflector on roof vibrates loudly when at highway speeds and the cargo basket is not installed. Needs more horses - maybe in the 200+ range. Poor gas mileage. Paint finish is dull and lacklusterwhen compared to others in this market - I have the denim blue. Accessories were not available for several months after purchase. Adding any EMS accessories to the first aid kit caused the rear door molding to pop out when ever I closed it- dealer did install better retention snaps for the molding. Carpet was not fully glued to floor when delivered to me - dealer reglued.

Have had this truck on several trips to Orlando and back on a full tank. Have yet to see what it does on a long trip. Currently has 4000 miles.
I was also looking at the Toyota 4 Runner Limited. But they wanted about 40K for something that looked so good on the lot but I could not think of putting it in the brush and scratching that beautiful paint. It is intended for people who want to impress their friends and co-workers into thinking they are really sporty and an avid outdoorsman.
The X-Terra I think will serve me well in the city and off the beaten path - and I wont be so terrified of scratching the bumpers.
Sure it's not got all the creature comforts that I would have liked and is not as pleasing to the eye but I think it will suit me just fine. Until I trade it in for a newer model in the coming years.

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1989 Dodge Raider - weirdly similar
US Army Hummer - no contest

Very cool. I couldn't be happier. Definitely value for
money. I love how Nissan has muffled the noise from the
road.

Style, hight, diversity in colors, the roof rack & wet tray featured.

noisy rack wind deflector, sluguish acceleration

Is confortable, spacious, great cargo space, is not a fast SUV

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none

Kicks ass, turns heads. Best value in its class.

Needs cooler gauges.

Recommend. This is a car that emulates natural masculine characteristics: Strong, rugged lines; a conquest-like ability to climb and fight the physical challenges of offroading, and an on-road feel of riding on the back of a charging grizzly bear - it's a grappler and a muscle-bound runner. It's interior is spare, but very functional and boyish cool, ala a bachelor apartment. Just not a sensitive euro-batchelor; people's ideals for equality may lead to a desire to rewrite the facts to make men and women exactly the same - but nature came first, and it's truths of distinction are evident here: an unapologetic display of tough-as-sh*t characteristics for the most-naturally male SUV on the market. Every pack has a leader - if yours is your wife or girlfriend, get an Escape, Mazda, Rav4, Passport or Cherokee.

Don't let the flock of sheep whining about the engine power distract you - this puppy moves swiftly in the V6 and you'll find reviews to back my claim.
If you really feel the need to flip, hit telephone poles, or jam past any mofo in a good looking SUV who might actually think that his truck might actually be faster than yours, then hold out til August for the 2002, which will sport an engine with more galloping steeds.

Nimble, swift cat-walk sashays around corners? Gisele Bundchen yes, Xterra nyet. However, once I learned to feel the essence and "center" of the vehicle I've been able to whip and zip with great dexterity. If you've ever ridden a horse, you know that you have to understand and unite with the animal to soar; it's not for the lazy and inattentive. The Xterra is no different.

There's a top-of-the world view and feel to this car, an unusual sense of gliding in a titanium fuselage. If you want to charge through crowded skies, look no further. You'll definitely be looked at from all points around as well.

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Toyota 4runner, Rav4, Chevy Blazer, Ford Exploder. The Xterra is a more "holistically" pleasing vehicle. The vibe, the looks, the solid, beefy but commanding sporty feel. Not as lumbering mushy as the Explorer.

Price, looks, in-dash cd changer.

Poor fuel economy, weak engine

While I like my vehicle buyer please be aware of appalling Nissan support. Since damaging a wheel five weeks ago I still haven't been able to get a replacement wheel. The 2001 SE model has a 16" wheel that as of yesterday is not itemized on the Nissan parts system, so my local dealer cannot get me a wheel. Nissan North America (nnaconsumeraffairs@nisan-usa.com) seem unable/unwilling to deal with my problem.

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None

100% Truck at heart. Quiet cabin, decent gas milage and oh yeah, It looks great too!

It could stand to have a little wider door for the rear passangers.

Great! I traded in my Ford Ranger, which I loved but had become unreliable. I loved the X's looks and was more impressed with the price. I got an XE with all the options, I mean all, for just under 22,000. It rides great, has a rather quiet cabin and the gas mileage is good. Best of all, it is a true Truck at heart and not a wimpy SUV based on a car. All other SUV's in this class do not even compare. You must test drive to believe for yourself.

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Have had Jeep Cherokee - It doesn't even come close to the Xterra

Finally someone decided to make a true SUV.
I am in Belgium Brussels where it rains constantly and it handles very well. What do consumers expect out of a top heavy vehicle, slow down.
Engine acceleration is great for what the vehicle is to be used for (off-roading)not the racetrack.Who needs gadgets, its not a luxury vehicle it a truck.For all those yuppie minded individuals that why they have Lexus, Cadillac, Lincolns.

Could get better gas mileage.

For a newcomer on the block,a job well done.A you can do is get better.

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Grand Jeep Cherokee(unreliable) Toyota Rav(too small)Toyota Four Runner(too expensive).

everything

nothing

This SUV is dope. We looked at all kinds of SUV's and this one by far took the cake. We test drove the Isuzu Rodeo, which was one of our other options, and the XTerra blew it away. Our sales person took us on a "7 mile" road test. We drove it through neighborhoods, city streets, and then onto the interstate. It's handling capabilities is great especially when performing U-turns. The pick up it has is just awesome, it can really go if you want it too. Price, perfomance, and style? what else could you ask for in an SUV.

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All the xtra stuff you get as standard!

None xposed to me.

It's xtremely fun to drive! Smooth. Quiet. Comfy. I didn't pay much, so I wasn't xpecting so much. It simply xceeds my previous SUV's: Jeep-Cherokee, Suzuki Sidekick Sport, for comfort. And lastly, this is such a little thing but...it not only has four cup holders, but a water bottle holder too!!! I'm a runner, and that larger sized holder for my water bottle is a great bonus. Can't get over my feeling that the Xterra designers had me in mind when they put it together! Waterproof seatcovers are jus' the thing for ploppin' down on after long runs--great design idea! All this great design utility and good lookin', too!! This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...

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Jeep-Cherokee, Suzuki Sidekick Sport: My Xterra is the winner in every category, pick one: comfort, value, styling...