2009 Nissan Xterra: Road Test
2009 Nissan Xterra ▼
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- MSRP: $22,310 - $29,340
- Invoice: $21,150 - $27,491
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Our road test for the 2009 Nissan Xterra includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Nissan Xterra from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Nissan Xterra, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Nissan Xterra help you decide if a 2009 Nissan Xterra is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5.4 |
Strong from a stop and around town. A 2WD SE did 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds in our test. The automatic reacts quickly enough to throttle inputs, but passing at highway speeds can be a bit labored with either transmission.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
In Consumer Guide testing, 4WD Xterra models with automatic transmission averaged 15.8-16.5 mpg in city/highway driving and 18.2 with more highway work. A 2WD SE averaged 16.8 in mixed driving that included gas-eating performance runs. No opportunity to measure with the manual transmission. Xterra uses regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.4 |
Xterra's off-road-ready suspension and short wheelbase make the ride choppy except on the smoothest roads. Some patches and sharp bumps register more as body shudder than thumpy harshness, and there's some truck-like bounding over even moderate humps and ruts.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 |
Fast cornering induces marked body lean, plus some tail hop over bumps; Off-Road's stiff suspension bounces even more. The steering feels slow in parking and quick direction changes, but Xterra has a relatively tidy turning circle for easy close-quarters maneuvering. Stopping control is unexceptional.
QUIETNESS
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.6 |
Noise levels are fairly modest in 60-mph cruising. The V6 has a gruff, fairly loud growl at full throttle, plus an annoying bellow between shifts with the manual transmission. Wind rush and road rumble sometimes annoy.
CONTROLS
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.4 |
Though high-set, the audio controls are easy to reach. The climate controls are slightly recessed into the center dashboard stack but aren't difficult to decipher. The steering wheel cruise and radio controls have tiny black markings on a gray background, rendering them nearly unreadable in most lighting conditions. They have no nighttime backlighting either, so the controls are practically useless unless you've memorized their functions.
DETAILS
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5.5 |
The interior decor matches Xterra's utilitarian aims, perhaps too much. The dashboard is awash in hard plastic panels that look especially cut-rate. One test model suffered rattling front-door windows and an irritating squeak from the cargo area.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7.2 |
Xterra has good headroom and legroom, though some tall drivers may feel too close to the steering wheel. The seats need more side bolstering to hold passengers in place through turns. They could also use a bit more padding for optimal long-distance comfort. Visibility is hampered by the rear roof styling and wide-base windshield pillars. Step-in is high without the available running boards.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6.3 |
The rear seat has plenty of headroom and adequate foot space. Legroom is tight with the front seats set far back. The seat cushions are too flat for best comfort. Xterra's tall ride height and narrow door bottoms make entry and exit particularly difficult.
CARGO ROOM
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.6 |
Good space becomes generous with the rear seats folded. Available fold-flat right-front seat allows carrying objects up to 9 feet long. The lack of opening tailgate glass is a minus, but a low load lip and 12 cargo-bay hooks enhance utility. The plastic load floor is good for accepting dirty cargo, but items tend to shift rather easily back there. A stepped rear bumper provides access to the standard roof rack. The cabin has useful small-item storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5.8 |
Xterra is slightly smaller than most in the midsize-SUV class, hence the somewhat-tight interior space. Its off-road orientation accounts for subpar ride comfort, and its backwoods-ready avoidance of luxury touches makes it seem relatively unrefined. Indeed, its main appeal is that rugged demeanor, cargo versatility, and youthful attitude.
Total Score
| Off-Road, manual | Off-Road, automatic | 2WD SE | 4WD SE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 53 | 54 | 53 | 64.7 |
Total Score: 53
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
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