Howdy all,
My wife's Xterra just broke the 5,000 mile mark and I thought I would share some of my impressions of the outfit. Roughly 4,000 miles have been a 70/30 combination of city/highway and 1000 on gravel and unimproved BLM two tracks.
Here is the short version: Good compromise between on road and expedition type trail use. Not a rock crawler.
Here is the long version:
First of all the specs: It is a 2007 Nissan Xterra with the Off Road package, 6 speed manual transmission, desert stone in color, all stock except that I removed the factory installed mud guards for fear of breakage.
First the pros:
Engine: This is where the Xterra shines. The engine is wonderfully smooth, powerful with decent fuel economy. It likes to rev and seems to get most of its power in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range. Passing power from 60 to 80 mph is very good. On a recent trip from Logan UT to Moab we averaged 20.1 mpg for the trip down and 19.6 mpg for the return trip. The vehicle was loaded with two adults, two children, and luggage. Speeds were in the 75-80 mph range most of the 310 mile trip.
Any dislikes I have for the engine are mainly due to the fly by wire throttle which at times seems to have a delayed response to throttle input. It is not a huge problem but is noticeable.
Transmission: I have mixed feelings about the 6-speed. It is a fun tranny and is the main reason we chose the Xterra over the Toyota 4-runner or any of the other utes. It is easy to shift, almost too easy. It much more car like, which I guess should be no surprise as I have recently found out that this transmission is sourced from the Nissan performance cars. First gear needs to be much lower. I don't really understand the thinking behind the new 6 speed manuals in 4x4 vehicles these days. The manufacturers are adding the extra gear in the high range of reduction when all they would have to do is put in a 5.5:1 or 6:1 first gear and leave the rest alone.
Gearing: I believe the Xterra's differential gearing is in the low 3's. Possibly 3.21? It seems too high in off road situations but is fine on road.
Handling: Nissan tuned the steering for high speed highway driving, which results in a slightly stiff feel at low speeds, but very predictable handling at speed. The turn radius seems larger than necessary for a vehicle of this size. The turning stops seem to be set short. Ride is firm and a bit bouncy but that is to be expected.
Nanny systems: The Xterra's version of traction control (VDC) actually works quite well in snow and ice situations (and is necessary with the horrible BFG Rugged Trail tires). It is a little disconcerting at first as this is the first vehicle I have driven with this feature (grinding noises as the computer applies the antilock brakes on individual wheels). The best part about the VDC is that there is an OFF switch! Thank you Nissan for treating us like adults! The off switch is necessary in some situations like mud and slushy deep snow where wheel spin and momentum are good things. We nearly got stuck going through a mud hole in Moab because I forgot about the VDC and it slowed us down almost to a crawl in the middle of the hole.
Interior: Everthing is plastic with a bit of cheapness to it, but functional and well laid out. Visibility of the gauges is excellent. The steering wheel radio controls are a wonderful piece of equipment. The heating/cooling system works very well. Controls are easy to operate without having to look at them. The heater will cook you out of the vehicle and we rarely have the fan over 2 even in single digit conditions. Seats fold flat with a vinyl backing which is nice for cleaning. The locking tracks in the load floor are actually very useful for attaching storage trays and bins. Seats are comfortable enough but only the driver has adjustable lumbar support. Plenty of leg room up front for me (6'0 34" inseam) and decent in the back seat. Kids are not kicking the backs of the seats. The cabin is reasonably quiet at speed and is generally a pretty nice place to spend time both on and off road. Much better than the Jeep Wranglers (TJ/JK) that we drove but not as nice as a 4 runner.
Off road capability: I am naturally suspicious of manufacturers claims but had read good reviews about the Xterra's off road abilities. The brochure that we got from Nissan talks about "tackling category 5 trails" "going anywhere you want to go" "this is one serious off roader". After some ventures up Providence Canyon and Moab, I would have to say that the Nissan marketing department got a little carried away.
The Xterra's off road package consists of a selectable rear locker and an agressive ABLS system. Nissan says that it also includes skid plates, Bilstein shocks, and BFG tires, but...the skid plates are a joke made out of recycled beer cans. I can't believe Nissan would actually put these on a vehicle intended to be taken off road (maybe they didn't actually intend for the Xterra Off Road to be taken off road?) Fortunately the Nissan engineers have tucked most of the vitals up quite high.
The Bilstein shocks are ok but don't seem the same as the Bilsteins friends of mine have purchased for their Tacomas. They seem to fade quicker on heavy washboard. I suspect that they are a low end model.
The tires are P-rated (!!) BFG Rugged trails in a decent 265/75 R16 size with very poor traction. If it weren't for the traction control systems these would have to be changed out immediately. Their durability is very suspect and I am surprised that we haven't had a flat due to a rock puncture.
I have driven the Xterra up many of our local canyons including Providence Canyon which has some decent challenging terrain. The limited amount of articulation both front and rear results in the use of the rear locker quite often. Some Xterra owners are removing the rear sway bar to help in the rear. I may try this but am hesitant to tamper with the on road handling.
We were in Moab for the first time over President's day weekend. We checked out Gemini Bridges both above and below (via Bull Canyon). The Xterra did good on the washboard and pot holes with predictable handling and the aforementioned shock fade. In fact this is where the Xterra shines. It is a very fun vehicle to drive on gravel and unimproved two tracks.
The Xterra cannot and should not compete with a Wrangler in the rocks. It will get through but it won't be pretty. The gearing is too high and articulation is minimal. On the plus side in 4 low throttle sensitivity is lessened which is nice in rough terrain to minimize surging. The locker activates quickly and quietly and the ABLS does work. Approach, departure, and breakover angles (33,29,24.6) are decent. We picked our way down the 3 shelfs just before the Bridges without scraping bottom. On the way back up I wanted to test the ABLS so did not engage the locker. It definitely helped and was trying hard but the poor traction of the Rugged Trails wouldn't let it do its job. Engaged the locker and popped right over the shelf. Stalled out once on the middle shelf. The gearing on this vehicle will not allow you to idle over obstacles. Fortunately there is a clutch start override switch and a good hand brake which allows for easy re-starting on inclines. An auxillary idle control would be nice as the engine idles at around 600 rpm and there just isn't enough low end torque and gearing for certain situations. I just wish the gearing were lower to keep from having to "ram" over obstacles and thus possibly damaging the vehicle.
Further research has revealed that the drive train components on the 05+ Xterras are weaker than the previous models. Keeping this in mind, and as a result of my own observations, we will limit the amount of rock work we do with the Xterra. I also doubt we will increase the tire size on the Xterra as the 265/75 16 and the tucked up underside seem to be fine for most situations. I think that a bigger tire will just exacerbate the gearing problem and cause premature differntial failure.
All in all we have been pleased so far with the Xterra and I believe it will fulfill its role as a daily driver and family expedition vehicle quite well.
My wife's Xterra just broke the 5,000 mile mark and I thought I would share some of my impressions of the outfit. Roughly 4,000 miles have been a 70/30 combination of city/highway and 1000 on gravel and unimproved BLM two tracks.
Here is the short version: Good compromise between on road and expedition type trail use. Not a rock crawler.
Here is the long version:
First of all the specs: It is a 2007 Nissan Xterra with the Off Road package, 6 speed manual transmission, desert stone in color, all stock except that I removed the factory installed mud guards for fear of breakage.
First the pros:
Engine: This is where the Xterra shines. The engine is wonderfully smooth, powerful with decent fuel economy. It likes to rev and seems to get most of its power in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range. Passing power from 60 to 80 mph is very good. On a recent trip from Logan UT to Moab we averaged 20.1 mpg for the trip down and 19.6 mpg for the return trip. The vehicle was loaded with two adults, two children, and luggage. Speeds were in the 75-80 mph range most of the 310 mile trip.
Any dislikes I have for the engine are mainly due to the fly by wire throttle which at times seems to have a delayed response to throttle input. It is not a huge problem but is noticeable.
Transmission: I have mixed feelings about the 6-speed. It is a fun tranny and is the main reason we chose the Xterra over the Toyota 4-runner or any of the other utes. It is easy to shift, almost too easy. It much more car like, which I guess should be no surprise as I have recently found out that this transmission is sourced from the Nissan performance cars. First gear needs to be much lower. I don't really understand the thinking behind the new 6 speed manuals in 4x4 vehicles these days. The manufacturers are adding the extra gear in the high range of reduction when all they would have to do is put in a 5.5:1 or 6:1 first gear and leave the rest alone.
Gearing: I believe the Xterra's differential gearing is in the low 3's. Possibly 3.21? It seems too high in off road situations but is fine on road.
Handling: Nissan tuned the steering for high speed highway driving, which results in a slightly stiff feel at low speeds, but very predictable handling at speed. The turn radius seems larger than necessary for a vehicle of this size. The turning stops seem to be set short. Ride is firm and a bit bouncy but that is to be expected.
Nanny systems: The Xterra's version of traction control (VDC) actually works quite well in snow and ice situations (and is necessary with the horrible BFG Rugged Trail tires). It is a little disconcerting at first as this is the first vehicle I have driven with this feature (grinding noises as the computer applies the antilock brakes on individual wheels). The best part about the VDC is that there is an OFF switch! Thank you Nissan for treating us like adults! The off switch is necessary in some situations like mud and slushy deep snow where wheel spin and momentum are good things. We nearly got stuck going through a mud hole in Moab because I forgot about the VDC and it slowed us down almost to a crawl in the middle of the hole.
Interior: Everthing is plastic with a bit of cheapness to it, but functional and well laid out. Visibility of the gauges is excellent. The steering wheel radio controls are a wonderful piece of equipment. The heating/cooling system works very well. Controls are easy to operate without having to look at them. The heater will cook you out of the vehicle and we rarely have the fan over 2 even in single digit conditions. Seats fold flat with a vinyl backing which is nice for cleaning. The locking tracks in the load floor are actually very useful for attaching storage trays and bins. Seats are comfortable enough but only the driver has adjustable lumbar support. Plenty of leg room up front for me (6'0 34" inseam) and decent in the back seat. Kids are not kicking the backs of the seats. The cabin is reasonably quiet at speed and is generally a pretty nice place to spend time both on and off road. Much better than the Jeep Wranglers (TJ/JK) that we drove but not as nice as a 4 runner.
Off road capability: I am naturally suspicious of manufacturers claims but had read good reviews about the Xterra's off road abilities. The brochure that we got from Nissan talks about "tackling category 5 trails" "going anywhere you want to go" "this is one serious off roader". After some ventures up Providence Canyon and Moab, I would have to say that the Nissan marketing department got a little carried away.
The Xterra's off road package consists of a selectable rear locker and an agressive ABLS system. Nissan says that it also includes skid plates, Bilstein shocks, and BFG tires, but...the skid plates are a joke made out of recycled beer cans. I can't believe Nissan would actually put these on a vehicle intended to be taken off road (maybe they didn't actually intend for the Xterra Off Road to be taken off road?) Fortunately the Nissan engineers have tucked most of the vitals up quite high.
The Bilstein shocks are ok but don't seem the same as the Bilsteins friends of mine have purchased for their Tacomas. They seem to fade quicker on heavy washboard. I suspect that they are a low end model.
The tires are P-rated (!!) BFG Rugged trails in a decent 265/75 R16 size with very poor traction. If it weren't for the traction control systems these would have to be changed out immediately. Their durability is very suspect and I am surprised that we haven't had a flat due to a rock puncture.
I have driven the Xterra up many of our local canyons including Providence Canyon which has some decent challenging terrain. The limited amount of articulation both front and rear results in the use of the rear locker quite often. Some Xterra owners are removing the rear sway bar to help in the rear. I may try this but am hesitant to tamper with the on road handling.
We were in Moab for the first time over President's day weekend. We checked out Gemini Bridges both above and below (via Bull Canyon). The Xterra did good on the washboard and pot holes with predictable handling and the aforementioned shock fade. In fact this is where the Xterra shines. It is a very fun vehicle to drive on gravel and unimproved two tracks.
The Xterra cannot and should not compete with a Wrangler in the rocks. It will get through but it won't be pretty. The gearing is too high and articulation is minimal. On the plus side in 4 low throttle sensitivity is lessened which is nice in rough terrain to minimize surging. The locker activates quickly and quietly and the ABLS does work. Approach, departure, and breakover angles (33,29,24.6) are decent. We picked our way down the 3 shelfs just before the Bridges without scraping bottom. On the way back up I wanted to test the ABLS so did not engage the locker. It definitely helped and was trying hard but the poor traction of the Rugged Trails wouldn't let it do its job. Engaged the locker and popped right over the shelf. Stalled out once on the middle shelf. The gearing on this vehicle will not allow you to idle over obstacles. Fortunately there is a clutch start override switch and a good hand brake which allows for easy re-starting on inclines. An auxillary idle control would be nice as the engine idles at around 600 rpm and there just isn't enough low end torque and gearing for certain situations. I just wish the gearing were lower to keep from having to "ram" over obstacles and thus possibly damaging the vehicle.
Further research has revealed that the drive train components on the 05+ Xterras are weaker than the previous models. Keeping this in mind, and as a result of my own observations, we will limit the amount of rock work we do with the Xterra. I also doubt we will increase the tire size on the Xterra as the 265/75 16 and the tucked up underside seem to be fine for most situations. I think that a bigger tire will just exacerbate the gearing problem and cause premature differntial failure.
All in all we have been pleased so far with the Xterra and I believe it will fulfill its role as a daily driver and family expedition vehicle quite well.
197K, 5 sets of tires, 2 sets of brakes, and one fuel pump:victory: We bought it new, it was the most reliable vehicle I've owned. The fuel pump was the only nonroutine repair I did. Good luck with yours
