Nissan Xterra
Not for the faint of eye |
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By Richard J. Newman
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Nits: There's no interior release for the rear liftgate. And the liftgate is so high when it's open that shorter drivers might have trouble reaching it.
G forces: The Xterra is a far more gentle ride than its rowdy looks suggest. All models come with a 265-horsepower V-6 that's quick and smooth. Handling is superb for an SUV, with a firmer grip on curves than you'd expect for a tall vehicle.
Gizmology: You won't find a lot of flourishes in the Xterra, but the climate and audio systems are conveniently laid out with sizable, easy-to-manage controls. Tie-down hooks and other features in the cargo area make it easy to secure odd-sized loads.
Kidmarks: This is a good news–bad news story. The Xterra is hard for small kids to get into, with a high step-in and small doors. Plus, the exterior door handles are at the tops of the doors, out of reach of many youngsters. The rugged upholstery is easy to clean, however, and rubber matting on the floor in the back seat helps minimize damage from mud and hyperactivity. And kids love the Xterra's bodacious lines.
Hot or not: Hot. It won't please everybody, but the Xterra's no-compromise boldness will thrill some.
Envirometer: The EPA rates the Xterra about average for tailpipe emissions and pollution. Mileage ranges from 16 mpg/city to 22 mpg/highway. For details, search for the 2005 Nissan Xterra at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Crash course: Earns eight stars out of 10 on the government's frontal-crash test, and 10 out of 10 on the side-impact test. Details: http://www.nhtsa.gov
Price points: Base prices range from $20,850 to $25,350. Price as tested: $27,430 (est.).
More info:http://www.nissanusa.com/
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Model year tested: 2005
I was trolling through a parking lot, windows down, when I came upon two middle-aged women walking to their car. One of them craned her neck to gawk as I passed by, and with disgust clearly meant for me to hear, screeched, "What is that?"
My 8-year-old daughter in the back seat got a big kick out of it. So, I'm sure, would the designers at Nissan. The original Xterra, launched in 1999, was a spare but stentorian statement of masculinity, with tough-guy looks meant to rouse the rugged by upsetting the sedate. The formula was so successful that Nissan gave the freshly redesigned 2005 even more moxie. The tall, muscular snout is apt to frighten small children, and you could smuggle televisions inside the bulging fenders. Big tires and a tubular roof rack exaggerate the SUV's height, like boots on Paul Bunyan. Nissan, in other words, fully intended to unnerve that timid lady in the parking lot.
The Xterra is not a sophomoric vehicle, however. Under the hood, there's an accomplished 265-horsepower V-6 engine that's muscular and quiet. The transmission is either a five-speed automatic–sophisticated for a truck–or a sporty six-speed manual like the one on the test vehicle. And the handling is surprisingly gentle and forgiving, given the Xterra's bold posturing. Most SUVs, for all their practicality, aren't particularly fun to drive. The Xterra is. I looked forward to motoring in this vehicle, leaning into turns and massaging the accelerator. It's unusual to find off-road capability and a spirited pavement ride in the same vehicle, especially under $30,000. Count the Xterra a two-fer.
Inside, the Xterra is smart and simple. There are comfortable seats, tough upholstery, and few pretenses. Clever features like tie-down hooks in the roof of the cargo area, as well as in the floor, enhance practicality. It's a snap to fold the rear seats flat, and there are even footholds on the back of the vehicle, at the ends of the bumper, to help reach the roof rack. A lot of showy SUVs are all hat and no cattle, tough-looking shells that disguise pamperwagons inside. But the Xterra is a true cowboy. It might not be for grandma. But that's the point.
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