Car Gazing
Almost Xtinct: Nissan's Xterra among the last true mini-SUVs
By Derek Price
How's this for a novel idea: an SUV that acts like an SUV.
In this crazy world where automakers try to woo sport-utility buyers with
terms like "car-like ride" and "nimble handling," it's nice to see Nissan is
still making a truly rugged SUV – not one that just looks the part.
Nissan's Xterra, an oh-so-cool vehicle that seems perfect for hauling
mountain bikes or surf boards on a weekend road trip, doesn't pretend to be
something it's not. It looks like a truck, and it's got the off-road
performance and hardware to match – perfect for Generation Xers' Xtreme
Xcursions to the X-games.
Okay. So this "X" thing is getting a little out of hand.
Unlike most new mini-SUVs that are essentially tough-looking station wagons,
the Xterra is based on a real body-on-frame truck platform that's meant to
be driven off-road – to the middle of nowhere and beyond. As such, it's got
thick skid plates to protect its underside, a tough leaf-spring suspension
in back, and a solid rear axle, all of which are rare on today's crop of
mini sport utes.
That's because all those things contribute to a sloppy ride around town, and
– let's face it – an awful lot of SUVs never leave the concrete jungle. If
you're looking for a vehicle to drive from Starbucks to Nordstrom, forget
about the Xterra.
While there are plenty of more comfortable SUVs for jaunts around town, like
the Ford Escape or Honda CR-V, few in this low-end price range have the
Xterra's unusual blend of mountain-goat capability and hipster attitude. Its
muscular bulges and athletic lines seem full of teen-age hormones, and its
rock-solid suspension will keep going off-road long after its competitors
bite the dust.
And, it may be rugged, but the Xterra is far from unrefined. If you can look
past the bouncy ride and noisy cabin on the highway (thanks to its deeply
grooved tires, no doubt), it's a fine truck with few compromises inside.
Materials and construction appear top-notch, with solid-feeling panels and
switches, and controls are all located perfectly. Seats are comfortable,
too, especially with the available lumbar support adjustment on V6 models.
Top-of-the-line Xterras come with a way-cool supercharged V6 engine, while
lesser models have either a four-banger or normally aspirated V6. Maximum
towing capacity is 5,000 pounds with an automatic transmission, which is
considerably more than its car-based competitors.
Anti-lock brakes come standard, and they provide plenty of stopping power
and good feel at the pedal. Other safety features include optional side
curtain air bags and a vehicle stability system.
Overall, it's refreshing to see an SUV that lives up to its image as a
go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle designed for off-road fun.
That's Xactly what SUVs are supposed to be.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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