By Tim Plouff

The first generation Xterra was a formidable off-roader too, but it had a few shortcomings. Based on the older Frontier pickup platform, the initial Xterra had a heavy steel frame, a weak V-6 engine (and a weaker four cylinder motor) and it was a little crude inside. It was also slow, thirsty, and noisy — not the attributes that endeared it to everyone when it came time for daily commuting chores.

Despite this hindsight viewpoint, Nissan sold a lot of Xterra’s — over 400,000, in fact, over five years. Not too bad for a truck with such an unsophisticated reputation.

The new Xterra is a slam-dunk, take no prisoner’s winner with a complete makeover. The styling may have changed little, retaining all of the signature design cues of the original Xterra, yet everything under the buff new skin is completely new.

Nissan is serious about this truck business, as it has converted production of all of its sold-in-the-USA trucks to assembly right here in the states. The rugged Alpha platform developed for the groundbreaking Titan pickup is the basis for the Xterra as well as the new mid-size Pathfinder SUV, the full-size Armada SUV, and the new Frontier pickup. Using lightweight high-strength steel and aluminum where possible in the frames and suspensions, these trucks are stiffer and more rigid than the models that they replace.

This newfound rigidity pays dividends both on road and off-road as stronger frames let suspensions do the work for which they were intended rather than supporting the wheels and the body at the same time. Engineers can design better bump absorption characteristics into the shocks and springs, plus longer suspension travel; attributes that work well in the dirt and on pavement. Retain the elevated approach and departure angles that the Xterra already possessed, and you have a more capable trail vehicle.

Add some new electronic assist systems and the Xterra becomes even more capable. Dynamic stability control, anti-lock brakes with proportioning valves, and hill descent control are just some of the new features that help the Xterra perform better. Include meaty BF Goodrich trail radials plus electric shift four-wheel drive and the Nissan isn’t afraid of any obstacles. Two-wheel drive works well in all but the muddiest of situations, illustrating how much more capable the body-on-frame Xterra is off-road over its car-based contemporaries.

On road, the Nissan still exhibits some body lean and the ride is much firmer than many other compact sport utes, yet the Xterra is stable and very composed. The turning radius is small and visibility is good to all corners. The same BF Goodrich tires that excel off-road also work well in the real world delivering good steering feel and precise directional stability. They are quiet too.

Best of all, the new frame cradles the latest VQ series engine from Nissan, the new 4.0-liter V-6 with variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder. Wind the engine out and the V-6 produces a rewarding 265-hp and 284-lb./ft. of responsive torque — numbers that beat every competitor.

Teamed with a new 5-speed automatic transmission, this new motor really hauls. Unlike the previous supercharged V-6 (210-hp), this motor has crisp low-end and mid-range power. Stay on the gas and the Xterra rushes to redline with the enthusiasm of a sports sedan rather than the deliberate effort of other SUV’s. The V-6 never protests and moves you with authority and a level of quickness that no rival matches, all despite the added 280 pounds that the new Xterra carries over the previous rendition. 

With more power comes better fuel economy as this V-6 works easier to attain usual and customary levels of speed. In a week of travel together, the Xterra’s fuel economy ranged from a low of 18.8-mpg to a high of 21-mpg. Three years ago, my last Xterra struggled to reach 15-miles per gallon.

The new chassis sports a longer wheelbase, which also adds badly needed interior room in the second row seating. Ingress and egress is still somewhat challenging through the small rear-door footwells, but the elevated theatre-style seating in the second row affords passengers better visibility and reasonable toe room. The split seatbacks fold forward to form a flat load floor with the rear cargo deck, with both surfaces covered in a hard, washable plastic. The front seatback also folds flat so long items like a small kayak or an assortment of 2x4’s will easily fit inside. I know, because I tried.

Xterra attracts adventurous owners and they won’t be disappointed by the latest version. There are still steps cut into the rear bumper for increased access to the roof rack; a first aid kit is tucked in the rear liftgate; and the overhead roof basket now sports a locking cover so your valuable wet items will still be with you when you get back home.

While the first Xterra was a modestly appointed SUV, the new model gains some amenities that are guaranteed to improve the ownership experience. The 9-speaker Rockford-Fosgate stereo, with 6-disc CD and MP3 capability, is a rocking good time, but the optional XM satellite radio needs a better antenna location as reception was often curtailed when other XM-equipped vehicles still received a signal.

Side airbags and side airbag curtains, plus the aforementioned VDC stability control, improve the Xterra’s safety umbrella while richer fabrics and softer plastics soften part of the Nissan’s former hard edges. With a lot more than break-in miles showing on the odometer, the Xterra was tight and rattle-free despite multiple trips into the dirt.

For years, Madison Avenue types have been busy convincing us of the Jeep brand’s off-road virtues, extolling this vehicle over all others if you really must venture into the backwoods.

The Xterra has changed that perception for many people. While Jeep has retained its loyal fans, the Nissan has proven to be more than a reasonable alternative; it is less expensive to buy, less expensive to own, and more reliable in a way that all Nissan trucks are.

Fun to drive, easy to use, and full of the tough personality that distinguishes real sport utilities from family-wagon sport utes, the Xterra delivers everything that it promises. You have to admire a vehicle that has that kind of confidence.