2012 Nissan Xterra Video Road Test and Review

The Nissan Xterra is a four-door mid-size sport-utility vehicle that provides excellent off-road performance coupled with a very livable on-pavement daily driving experience.  The Nissan Xterra is a practical choice as either a people or cargo mover thanks to its five-passenger setup, easy-to-clean interior and 66 cubic feet of total space for hauling gear.  Safety for the Xterra is handled by side curtain airbags, forward airbags and seat-mounted front-side airbags, as well as electronic stability control.

All versions of the Nissan Xterra come with the same 4.0-liter V-6 nestled between the front fenders.  This motor provides 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque and it can be had with either a five-speed automatic transmission (two-wheel drive editions) or the choice between a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox (four-wheel drive models).  Fuel mileage checks in at 16-mpg in stop and go driving and 22-mpg during highway cruising.

The Nissan Xterra X (MSRP $24,890) is the most affordable version of the SUV, and it offers tinted windows, air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows and door locks, a CD player and cruise control as standard equipment.  The Xterra S (MSRP $26,880) upgrades to alloy wheels, knobby tires and a cargo management system.  The PRO-4X trim (MSRP $30,170) is the trail-oriented edition of the vehicle and as such it comes with rugged features such as all-terrain rubber, a more robust suspension system, skid plates, electronic hill-start assist and hill-descent control and an electronically-locking rear differential.  Spiffier interior trim, Bluetooth connectivity, a louder stereo system and satellite radio are also in the cards for PRO-4X buyers.  The Nissan Xterra PRO-4X can be customized with the Leather package, which provides leather seats.

A list of cars similar to the Xterra includes the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

See more details about the 2012 Nissan Xterra.