Nissan Xterra

[Ratbeetle]

I'm tired of having 3 vehicles; looking to turn one of the cars and my Cherokee into one relatively new vehicle that can pull double duty as a daily and mountain vehicle.

I can't bring myself to spend 40k plus on a new TRD 4runner and frankly, the used market on them is just stupid.

The late model (2015ish vintage) Xterra Pro-4x looks like it might fit the bill. Anyone have one. What's the good, bad and ugly on them?

 

[sf jakey]

Nope but my 16 4runner has been the most trouble free vehicle I ever owned at 80k miles. Well worth the $$. And don’t buy a TRD Pro, get the trail or off road model. The KDSS is a better ride, and you can add a better lift for less $$.

 

[ODB]

Not been in the newer ones, but the older ones had a teeny gas tank and were a pain in the ass to get in the back seat. That curve of the body swipes dirt on your ass pretty easily. MPG also sucked.
I haven’t heard had things realizability-wise, but the ergos could use some help. I drove one on an obstacle course in whistler BC and i couldn’t get out of it fast enough.

FWIW - I’m looking too, and the 4-runner is more than likely where I’ll end up...unless Toyota starts importing the HT12s

 

[Piscatory_4]

My sil has one, haven't heard him complain about it. Personally it is one of the mid size SUV I was considering buying, for style, frame, tow capacity, etc, and you could get it with a manual trans. I got his Jeep Liberty when the engine went south and he bought the Xterra. Replaced the engine and a few other parts and been driving it for the last 4 years. Xterra or an unmolested JK Wrangler Rubicon would be my choices. And towing capacity is a good bit higher with the Xterra and it may be more comfortable to drive.

 

[Ratbeetle]

Nope but my 16 4runner has been the most trouble free vehicle I ever owned at 80k miles. Well worth the $$. And don’t buy a TRD Pro, get the trail or off road model. The KDSS is a better ride, and you can add a better lift for less $$.

I'm looking at the off road premium, wife requires heated seats. A 2020 is right at 40k...hell the pros are pushing 50k. Tough pill for me to swallow on a depreciating asset.

While better, out here 2016 trails with what I consider acceptable mileage are still going for north of 30k. IMO, a bit ridiculous for a 4 year old vehicle with an unknown history. I have no doubt 4runners are solid vehicles though. I might end up with one anyway.

 

[Ratbeetle]

Not been in the newer ones, but the older ones had a teeny gas tank and were a pain in the ass to get in the back seat. That curve of the body swipes dirt on your ass pretty easily. MPG also sucked.
I haven’t heard had things realizability-wise, but the ergos could use some help. I drove one on an obstacle course in whistler BC and i couldn’t get out of it fast enough.

FWIW - I’m looking too, and the 4-runner is more than likely where I’ll end up...unless Toyota starts importing the HT12s

I had an 01 Frontier. Mileage sucked and the engine was gutless. At least it seems like the newer xterra have a bit more grunt.

The daily commute won't be much and for trips to the mountains, the mileage won't be any worse than a lifted 99 XJ.

 

[MTHunter20]

Nope but my 16 4runner has been the most trouble free vehicle I ever owned at 80k miles. Well worth the $$. And don’t buy a TRD Pro, get the trail or off road model. The KDSS is a better ride, and you can add a better lift for less $$.

What he said. 100%. I have '16 4Runner Trail and love it to death. Yes, they're expensive, but I'm looking at it as a long term investment. We'll drive it until the wheels fall off. The Xterra Pro-4x's look nice but they were just a little too small to me.

 

[Ratbeetle]

My sil has one, haven't heard him complain about it. Personally it is one of the mid size SUV I was considering buying, for style, frame, tow capacity, etc, and you could get it with a manual trans. I got his Jeep Liberty when the engine went south and he bought the Xterra. Replaced the engine and a few other parts and been driving it for the last 4 years. Xterra or an unmolested JK Wrangler Rubicon would be my choices. And towing capacity is a good bit higher with the Xterra and it may be more comfortable to drive.

I won't be towing anything but highway manners are important. Getting back into my spots requires an hour or two on the highway minimum.

Plus I would be selling my wife's new car and she would primarily drive this since I commute over 100 miles daily. Whatever I end up with needs to be on par with what she's used to comfort wise.

 

[TaylerW]

My best friend is a fishing guide and puts his xterra through hell. Very little maintenance, decent mileage for an SUV, and plenty of power to pull his boat around. As for a wrangler, I bought a 2015 wrangler and that was the worst mistake of my life. Now driving a 2020 tacoma trd sport. So far I am very impressed!

 

[Blockcaver]

My wife has driven an Xterra Offroad we bought new in 2008. It has been reliable and is more than decent in stock form for off-road use in Colorado and BC. Seats are modestly comfortable and the rear seat bottoms come out to provide a flat cargo area with the backs folded flat.....makes a great hauler and how her's is used 98% of the time.

Downsides are they have "quick" steering due to the short wheelbase (aids easy turns and parking in town) but aren't near as easy to drive on the highway. You have to pay attention, which interferes with with looking for wildlife! Our model also was prone to transmission fluid cooler failures where anti-freeze gets into the tranny. We paid to replace the combo rad/cooler as Nissan's recall was only good if you'd had a failure as I recall.

They also have a far bit of wind noise created by the ridiculous little box that sits above the driver. between the cargo bars We have never used the box, and I am convinced it costs us a couple mpg. I should delete it see what happens to the mileage.

The 4.0 l V-6 makes excellent power but gets 18 mpg on the highway., and a lot less in town. (My two Ford 2015 pickups...a V-8 F150 and Diesel F350 each will get over 22 and 20 mpg respectively running empty on the road).

Anyway, we've decided the Xterra is a long term keeper as we only have put 80,000 miles on it in 12 years and expect it will last another 12 years. Good luck!

 

[brsnow]

We have a 2012 xterra and 2009 Tacoma, both have been great. Tacoma is a smoother ride, but would buy both again.

 

[Ratbeetle]

My best friend is a fishing guide and puts his xterra through hell. Very little maintenance, decent mileage for an SUV, and plenty of power to pull his boat around. As for a wrangler, I bought a 2015 wrangler and that was the worst mistake of my life. Now driving a 2020 tacoma trd sport. So far I am very impressed!

A truck with a shell would be my preference but the wife woukd rather have an SUV for the dogs. The price is a bit better on the Tacomas but damn toyota...35k and a brother can't even get heated seats!

Lol what was standard on my 15k commuter only comes with a 5k tech package on the tacoma. Lame.

 

[Graves14]

I have a 2011 Xterra Pro4x with over 200k on it and I absolutely love it.

Trouble free engine/drivetrain decent gas mileage, cargo area is easy to clean bc it’s plastic (perfect for dogs), e-locker for when you’re really stuck, can’t say enough good things about it.

 

[hodgeman]

I had a 2014 Pro4X, decent vehicle...small tank, mediocre mileage. It was better off road than on and driving highway speeds on an icy road was nausea inducing with the short wheelbase.

The good- they depreciated pretty fast making them a good buy on the used market.

The bad- it's not a 4Runner, which is a better vehicle in every respect if you can choke down the price tag.

 

[MattB]

A truck with a shell would be my preference but the wife woukd rather have an SUV for the dogs. The price is a bit better on the Tacomas but damn toyota...35k and a brother can't even get heated seats!

Lol what was standard on my 15k commuter only comes with a 5k tech package on the tacoma. Lame.

Since heated seats seem to be your hang up, you know you can add them quite affordably?

 

[KSadventures80]

I have a 2011 pro4x and the wife has a 2014. Mine is manual hers is auto she does have heated seats.

Bad - ok mileage 16-22 depending on what you are doing smallish tank so road trips can require stops.

Good - easy maintenance able to fit 33" tires stock. Rear locker in low range performs great on shit roads. No kids but the dog loves the fold flat back and easy to clean. I picked my 11 w/ 60K up for just under 16 two years ago. Wife's 2014 with 55K for 20. I have been extremely happy with them. 85K on mine now.

O and it fits 3 70Qt coolers plus a large tote and a few extras easily. Performed flawlessly in 18" snows for 7E late season elk in AZ this year.

 

[Carlin59]

I have a 2005 SE model 4x4, nothing fancy. Paid $13k 9 years and 100k miles ago. It’s been a great hunting rig, which is it’s dedicated role now. It does really well off road for being stock. Biggest negative was the dreaded radiator leak into the tranny. Required a new radiator and rebuilt tranny (well past the warranty, but still bs since it was such a common/well known major defect). Agree with others that the short wheelbase is less than fun on snowy/icy/washboard roads at speed. However, it’s great in tight spots. I took the back seats completely out a few years ago (unbolted the flip down backs too) so mine is a two seater. Some people don’t like the aesthetics, but the result is a very tall cargo area which comes in handy. Hoping to get a few more years out of it. Wouldn’t mind replacing it with a late model Frontier, as Nissan has to be close to ending the current model soon (basically unchanged for 15 years).

 

[Titan_Bow]

I’ve got a 2013 Pro-4x. I bought it with 7k miles on it and it now has 140k, all have been hassle free with no issues and I am pretty hard on a vehicle. I love mine. Sure, it’s not going to turn heads or get compliments like a TRD Pro 4Runner, but it will go anywhere and do everything the 4Runner will do. It’s a no nonsense little off road vehicle. In the pro-4x trim, with a set of BFG’s, it will go anywhere you are willing to drive it and then some. Rear locker and 4 lo has got me out of some nasty places in Montana and Nebraska when the rains came. I’ve taken mine pretty much all over the Rocky Mountains and I wouldn’t hesitate to jump in it right now and do a 1k mile road trip somewhere.
I’m averaging 18 MPG. You get an 18 gallon fuel tank, so range will be about 300 miles per tank. I’ve got jerry cans on the back if I think I’ll need to extend that. Engine puts out 260hp. Plenty of power. Short wheel base takes a little getting used to but it’s nothing to really comment on once you are familiar with it.
Get yourself two of the 8gallon action packer containers. The seating configuration is my favorite feature. The rear seat bottoms are removable, and then the backs lay flat. The action packers sit in the floor and are the exact same height as the laid flat seat backs. This gives you about 72” of completely flat floor space. This allows me to sleep in mine anytime I need it. I’ve done week long hunting trips just basing out of the back like this.
All in all, the Xterra is a great vehicle. It’s unrefined, a little ugly, certainly out dated when compared to other vehicles in its class, but it will run forever with little or no issues. If something does go wrong, they are easy and straightforward to work on. I would not hesitate to buy a slightly used one! I’ve only had 2 vehicles since 2004, a Titan pickup and this Xterra. I put 280k on my Titan before going to the Xterra. I’ve now put 130k on it and neither have ever let me down or had anything other than routine maintenance. One great thing about Nissan’s is that their resale SUCKS. So, you can pick up a low mileage lightly used one for so much less money.


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[Brendan]

I had an '05 or an '06 with a 6 speed manual that I loved. Gas mileage wasn't that great, but very handy rig, and pretty good on the highway. I even set it up with trailer brake controller and towed a dual axle car trailer a good number of times, and it was great for the off-roading I did.

 

[brsnow]

Interesting on resale, here in CO they seem to have spiked in price since they stopped making them.