Online Test Drive

The 2000 Nissan Xterra
Base Retail Price: $17,599 - $24,799
Three And A Half Stars

Nissan may consider the Xterra a back to the basics SUV that is a "return to the soul of the sport-utility vehicle," but drivers just consider it cool. Maybe that's why the Nissan Xterra was named the North American International Auto Show's "Truck of The Year" this year.

The Xterra doesn't look like any other sub-compact SUV, and can be quite a bargain--if you can get one at sticker price. That's been a problem, because Nissan greatly underestimated demand for the Xterra. They are making 60 thousand for the 2000 model year, but could have easily sold 100 thousand. That means dealer markups of several thousand dollars, in some cases.

Why is the Xterra so hot? I think it has nothing to do with performance, but everything to do with styling. I test drove a canary yellow Xterra, and kept getting one positive comment after another. People are used to seeing Toyota RAV 4's, and Honda CRV's, but this is something totally different...and totally cool.

Under that beautiful skin is a very competent SUV. The Xterra doesn't feel as small, or as tight as it's competition in the small SUV category. No, it's not as big as as Blazer or Explorer, but it's not as expensive either.

The Xterra is also a bargain compared to the Nissan Pathfinder. It's being marketed that way, too. You can't get leather, or or wood trim. If you want that, you'll be pointed the the Pathfinder. Actually, the Xterra is only an inch shorter than the Pathfinder, but they are certainly very different vehicles. The Xterra-Pathfinder combo gives Nissan a strong 1-2 punch.

Despite the lack of luxury amenities, the Xterra doesn't look cheap. It has a nice way of looking macho and cute at the same time. That's a hard trick to pull off.

You get a lot of choices with the Xterra. There are five trims...you can get two or four wheel drive...a four or six cylinder engine...a manual or automatic. I test drove the 6 cylinder automatic, and found it very smooth and efficient.

The Xterra has a fairly nice sized cargo compartment, for a small SUV. It is a little difficult to fold down the rear seats, but it can be done to give you some extra cargo room

You have ample room in the front seats. You expect the back seats to be tight in a small SUV, but the Xterra gives you a little more room back there than you would expect.

Unlike it's competitors from Honda and Toyota, the Nissan Xterra is built on a truck platform. That makes it a very competent off roader, but a little rough on the road. Still, when you compare it to the Jeep Wrangler--which is great off road, terrible on road--the Xterra seems downright smooth.

The Xterra is certainly the mini-SUV to beat. But, for how long. Toyota is about to unveil a complete re-do of it's popular RAV4. The Ford Expedition is going to be on the roads this summer--in big numbers. So, the Xterra had better enjoy it's status now, because it's not going to last!

None of this should take anything away from Nissan's achievement of coming up with a terrific SUV that's really in a segment of it's own. Let's give the Xterra four stars on our one to five scale.