I think you need to be a little more specific in what you are asking for. But im going to answer based trying to cover all the bases
If you were comparing the Xterra with an older WD pathfinder I think they would be pretty evenly matched. The only major differences would be the suspension setup with the pathy having coils and links as opposed to the X's leafs but the front suspension is pretty much the same. Both have about the same power and aftermarket support in terms of lift kits/sliders/ect. Im pretty sure that the only thing the x would have on the pathy would be gears.
When comparing it to the R50 platform in terms of off road I think that it would also be relatively even. I have wheeled with a lifted x on 33's before and I kept up with him over every obstacle. Sure neither one of us was pushing our limits but I dont really like to push them. The power advantage goes however to the Pathfinder, esp with the VQ im getting 255hp vs the X's 170 which really comes in handy when driving on the highway with larger than stock tires on stock gearing. In terms of gearing I know that the auto pathys came with 4.3's and the standard pathys came with 4.6's. I dont have a clue what gearing the Xterras come with but I have heard its somewhere around 4.9?
The two big disadvantages the R50 has is the lack of a frame and the strut front suspension. The lack of a frame is never really an issue atleast for me. Ya sure I cant do a body lift or any of that, and its also not as rigid as a frame vehicle is but in reality its not like its noticeable. I mean im never in a situation where I find myself sayin "man I wish I had a frame" :smilies27 Going on to the front struts, yeah they are not ideal for wheeling but that does not mean that they dont work. I have never had the front sway bar off, but have heard from people that the front flexes out pretty well once its off. The struts though I feel give it much better road manners and for a daily driver its a great vehicle that I have no problems going to pop a curb and hit some trails with confidence with. The only other disadvantage that I can think of is the lack of aftermarket support. But that is quickly going away. Steevo over at RuggedRocks is really getting ontop of things and putting out more products for the R50 platform such as adjustable links, gears, sliders ect.
Overall I LOVE my Pathy....its what I got as my first vehicle and im making it into what I want it to be and proving that it can go do things that other 4wd's can do. Plus the heated leather and extra power always come in handy :smiley_drive: Im sure I will be put in my place a few posts down though :Wow1: