SUV · Gas
Nissan Xterra 2005–2015 (N50)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $23,660–$31,000
- MPG
- 18
- Strength: Excellent cargo & utility
- Strength: Strong capability
- Strength: Strong value retention
- Watch-out: Poor tech
- Watch-out: Poor running costs
How it scores for you10 scores
One of the last honest body-on-frame compacts — real trail hardware, 5,000-lb towing, proven mechanicals — paid for in fuel, refinement, and tech.
Not enough recall data to judge yet, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road. Adjusted +5 points for its wider reputation.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $3,600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 11% of cars we track.
36.3 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 86% of other SUVs we track.
Upright and reasonably roomy for four; the rear bench is flat and the cabin narrow by 2015 SUV standards.
Genuine off-road chops and a gutsy V6 give it character; on pavement it is ponderous, noisy, and truckish.
A 2005-era cabin sold in 2015 — small screen, few aids, no modern connectivity to speak of.
Stiff body-on-frame ride, flat seats, and abundant road noise; it predates modern refinement norms.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
Rated to tow 5,000 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls0 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
1 common complaint area across 2015
- Powertrain — 6 complaints (2015)
2015
- Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF CLUTCH SLIPPING AT 50,000 MILES: ENGINE WOULD REV UP WHILE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FULLY OUT, THEN YOU WOULD FEEL IT RE-ENGAGE COMPLETELY AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF WHINING AND SPINNING. I'M A LIFETIME CLUTCH DRIVER (NEARLY 20 YEARS), AND EVERY VEHICLE GOT IN EXCESS OF 150,000
Cost to own
MSRP, new
$23,660–$31,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$3,600/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
5-year cost to own
Not enough price history to estimate
Specs
City MPG
16
Highway MPG
22
Combined MPG
18
Horsepower
261 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
36.3 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
65.7 cu ft
Towing capacity
5,000 lbs
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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