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The Nissan Xterra is an excellent off-road SUV. Though it isn’t as comfortable as car-based crossover SUVs, test drivers claim that the Xterra has a more refined on-road demeanor than many other off-road SUVs. “The 2011 Nissan Xterra is the one most easy to live with."

For 2011, the Nissan Xterra's Off-Road trim level has been renamed Pro-4X, while the SE trim level has been dropped.



The 2011 Nissan Xterra is the one most easy to live with.

To go along with the Xterra's tough-guy appearance, you'll find sturdy body-on-frame construction, a burly V6, tall ground clearance and an available four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing. The premium Pro-4X trim further bolsters the Xterra's off-highway credentials with skid plates, a driver-selectable locking rear differential, hill descent control and roof-mounted lights.



Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Nissan Xterra is a five-passenger, four-door SUV available with rear- and four-wheel drive. The Xterra X comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, privacy glass, keyless entry, power locks and mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, tilt-only steering wheel, and a six-speaker CD sound system. The Xterra S gains 16-inch alloy wheels, off-road tires, a height-adjustable driver seat with lumbar control, a first aid kit and a cargo organization system. The Pro-4X adds an electronic locking rear differential, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, skid plates, different 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded off-road tires, foglamps, roof-mounted off-road lights, unique cloth upholstery, a fold-flat passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, white-face gauges, an auto-dimming rearview mirror (with built-in compass), Bluetooth and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system with a six-CD changer, auxiliary audio jack, steering-wheel audio controls and satellite radio (with automatic transmission only). The Pro-4X Leather package adds leather upholstery and a passenger seat back pocket, but deletes the passenger seat's flat-folding capability.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on all but the Pro-4X, while the available four-wheel-drive system features a multimode transfer case with low-range gearing.

In Edmunds performance testing, an Xterra 4x4 with an automatic transmission went from zero to 60 mph in 8 seconds. The rear-drive Xterra returns an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined.



Safety

The 2011 Nissan Xterra is equipped with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Xterra Pro-4X models also come with hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The Nissan Xterra has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. The Xterra's interior controls are easy to use and reach.



Driving Impressions

Thanks to the 2011 Nissan Xterra's powerful V6, performance is sure to satisfy. On the road, the Xterra maneuvers confidently with precise steering and relatively minimal body roll.

The Xterra is built on the Frontier pickup's platform, with a solid axle and leaf springs in back but a multilink setup in front for more responsive handling. All four Xterra models are available in four-wheel drive, and all but the Off-Road edition are available with rear-wheel drive. The available four-wheel-drive system is a part-time, off-road-oriented setup, with high and low ranges. The Xterra is offered in three different trim levels: including X, S, and off-road-focused PRO-4X models. PRO-4X models add 16-inch off-road wheels and tires, Bilstein shocks with off-road tuning, a locking differential (with 4x4), and skid plates. Automatic-transmission Xterras also include Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.



An in-dash navigation system remains unavailable in the Xterra, but a Bluetooth hands-free phone setup is standard, and PRO-4X models include a Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with auxiliary input, an in-dash 6-CD changer, 8 speakers, a subwoofer, steering wheel audio controls, and XM Satellite Radio.2011 Nissa