2010 Nissan Xterra

Used TMV from $18,759

Overview

Introduced in the year 2000 after debuting in 1999 in the Detroit auto show is the Xterra. The Xterra was an immediate success and appeals to young, busy consumers. The Xterra fuses exceptional on/off road handling, great performance, and aggressive style. It was named the SUV of the Year by Motor Trend in 2000.The newest Xterra is now in its third generation and it's a fantastic combo. It's outfitted with a V-6, 261 hp motor, body-on-frame design, and a live rear axle. It's bold, brazen, and it sports a roof rack and a rear step as standard embellishments. The 2010 configurations are, for the most part, carryovers of earlier configurations. Thus, the Xterra continues to be quite appealing. This vehicle competes with Toyota's FJ Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler.The Xterra and the Pathfinder, the Titan truck, as well as the Armanda SUVs share a similar platform. It has a 106.3 inch wheelbase, and is off-road capabilities are exceptional. It sports a fold flat seat in the second row thereby increasing cargo space to as much as 65.7 ft.³

Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Nissan Xterra is powered by a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all but the SE, while a five-speed automatic is standard on that model and optional on all others. Rear-wheel drive is standard on every Xterra except the Off-Road trim, which comes with the other trims' optional four-wheel-drive system. This includes a multimode transfer case with low-range gearing.
In performance testing a 4x4 Xterra with the automatic went from zero to 60 mph in 8 seconds. EPA estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 15/20/17 with the automatic.

Safety

The 2010 Nissan Xterra is equipped with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Xterra Off-Road models also come with hill descent control and hill start assist. In Edmunds brake testing, the Xterra Off-Road came to a stop from 60 mph in 131 feet, which is decent performance for a traditional midsize SUV.
In government testing, the Xterra achieved four out of five stars in the frontal crash test and five stars for side protection. Its three-star rollover rating is a bit low, but similar to most off-road-capable SUVs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Xterra its highest rating of "Good" in both the frontal-offset and side crash tests.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2010 Nissan Xterra's interior controls are easy to use and reach. The overall impression is marred somewhat by the use of hard plastics, but they really aren't much worse than its off-roading competitors.
The cargo area offers 35 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 66 cubes with the seats folded. All Xterras (except for the base X model) feature cargo areas that have an easy-to-clean floor, as well as sturdy utility hooks mounted to the sides of the floor and ceiling. An innovative, adjustable channel system for securing bike racks and gear is also built into the floor. There are also built-in spaces for an optional first aid kit and a 1-gallon water jug.

Driving Impressions

Thanks to the 2010 Nissan Xterra's powerful V6, performance is sure to satisfy. On the road, the Xterra maneuvers confidently with precise steering, while also keeping body roll in check. With its truck-derived underpinnings, the Xterra offers impressive off-road performance due to its long suspension travel and high ground clearance. The engine further enhances off-road prowess with its prodigious low-end power, though its ultimate in-the-dirt capabilities fall short of the Wrangler's. The compromises of handling and ride quality in the city are minor, considering the Xterra's versatility.