2001 Nissan Xterra: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Nissan's junior midsize SUV is derived from the Frontier pickup truck and is priced against compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V. Base XE Xterra has a 4-cyl. engine, manual transmission, and 2WD. XE V6 and top-line SE offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Dashboard is revised for '01. All models have standard ABS and air conditioning. SE adds manual sunroof and, for '01, 16-inch wheels in place of 15s and a new sound system with in-dash CD changer and steering-wheel audio controls. Due in August, the 2002 Xterra gets a new front-end appearance and available 210-hp supercharged V6.

COMPETITION

This is by far the hottest market segment right now. Crowded with more than 20 vehicles, midsize SUVs vary in size and type but nearly all seat five adults and offer V6 or V8 engines. Our Best Buy is the car-based Lexus RX 300. Though it lacks a low range in 4WD mode, it's the most carlike to drive and offers all of the versatility of a truck-based model.

Our Recommended choices are all traditional SUVs: the Dodge Durango, which offers optional third-row seating; the best-selling Ford Explorer clone Mercury Mountaineer; the Teutonic Mercedes-Benz M-Class; the utilitarian Nissan Xterra; and the refined but expensive Toyota 4Runner.