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2012 Nissan Xterra Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Nissan Xterra - an awesome truck by urst

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Introduction

One of the last of its breed - not many true and real truck-based SUVs are left there. Definitely not that capable like Nissan Xterra. It is a real thing, for those who dare to take it offroad. Then I promise you a huge smile on your face out there in mud, mountains and on backwoods trails... :)

Reviewed: 2012 Nissan Xterra

4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Why the 2012 Nissan Xterra?

Exterior styling

The xterra looks like it should: this is the real awesome truck, the real truck-based SUV, capable, go-anywhere, one of the few of its kind left.rnThis vehicle intented to concur offroad and bad road conditions. It looks like it can go and get it, and it's really built to do so. It is a badass offroader, esp. in its Pro-4X configuration. Put on it 4 great mud-terrain tires, and you can go off for a serious offroad as is, without much upgrades or mods.

Reliability & durability

Bulletproof. Drive and enjoy. Wear and tear is the only things you will care about. Trust me, I owned 4 of them, and they all are still in the family. This vehicle withstands a real abuse. If you do minimal maintenance - it will serve you for 10 years at least.

Interior styling

As they advertise, xterra is "everything you need, and nothing you are not". Indeed. Nothing to add here.

Fuel economy

Most people who drove or owned xterra, complain about fuel economy. I say bs: compare it with its true, truck-based SUV competitors - and there are only 3 of them: toyota 4runner and fj cruiser, and jeep wrangler rubicon. Thats all! All others are not to be compared to xterra - they are just car-based SUVs (even new nissan pathfinder is just a car!).rnWhen you compare xterra with correct competitors, you will find that its fuel economy is excellent: my trip computer and calculations show the best economy of 10.3 l/100km on highway at 95 km/h without aircon, on cruise control, on a warm day. My worst is 19.3 l/100km during heavy winter offroading through 3 feet of snow (and it was quite wet snow), using 4x4 low with lockers. From my comparis

Powertrain performance

This is an awesome truck. I can garantee you a wide grin once you drive it. Engine has a sweet sound, very powerful. At all, powertrain is balanced. I find it very pleasant, and very capable.

Why Not the 2012 Nissan Xterra?

Tires

OEM tires are BFG Rugged Terrain. Not the best tires for Pro-4X model, but OK. Still, Nissan can be putting a better tires - like Goodyear DuraTracs. Come on Nissan - you can be doing better. :)

Warranty, maintenance cost

Nissan should be giving 10 years warranty bumper-to-bumper on this vehicles. At least like Hyundai/Kia. I am sure xterra is more reliable than any Hyundai/Kia vehicle. Even 10 years of warranty would not cost Nissan much, based on my experience with xterra (4 vehicles, all still are in my family) - its bulletproof.

Price or payments

Nissan Canada is greedy. There is no reason they should charge for xterra in Canada more than in US.

Dealer practices

Nissan should audit their dealerships - unfortunately, their service level is not impressive, and their salesmen practices are just ridiculous and shady.

Brand reputation & image

Nissan has a lower reliability reputation than toyota and honda. While I agree with that in general, I would say that xterra is an exception: it is on par with 4runner and fj cruiser on reliability and durability. Still, Nissan looks like doesn't care about their reputation in this area. It is actually quite close to subaru in this area - their reputation looks like not important to them, because nowadays they try to impress buyers with all that "innovation and technology" bs, instead of worrying about keeping a reputation of reliability and durability.

Conclusion

If you are up to drive a real thing, a true truck-based SUV offroader that has "everything you need, and nothing you are not" - the Nissan Xterra is for you. If you're looking for elusive "fuel efficiency" and fancy "infotainment", go get one of those car-based joker SUVs - Xterra is not for you.

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