Walkaround

The 2007 Nissan Xterra looks big, tough and powerful; especially at the front, where the massive bumper (molded at the bottom center to suggest a conspicuous skid plate) and V-strut grille conspire to add bulk and menace in rear-view mirrors.

The roofline kicks upward toward the rear, to increase second-row headroom. Side mirrors are large and rectangular. Wheel wells are accentuated with squared-off lines, adding muscular shoulders to the Xterra's stance. The bodywork is intended to suggest off-road performance.

At the same time, Xterra still projects a high-utility image. A largely tubular roof rack adds size and a look of no-nonsense purpose. Side steps create easy access to the roof rack, a functional addition underscoring the utility of the roof rack and its integrated cargo box. The angled C-pillar carries Nissan's signature high-mounted rear door handles, a unique design trait that visually links the new Xterra with the original, as well as with the rest of the Nissan SUV family, the Pathfinder and the Armada.

Interior Features

The Nissan Xterra is roomy inside, roomier than other SUVs in this price class. It works well for whisking four large adults and their gear into the backcountry. Second-row seating is stadium-style, meaning that the rear passengers can see over the front-seat occupants.

Cargo capability is a priority. The rear seat folds down when needed, and the front passenger seat also folds flat, meaning that lengthy recreational gear or lumber can be more easily accommodated. After all, the Xterra is no poser. It's not a mommymobile masquerading as a rugged SUV for outdoors types. It is, in fact, a rugged SUV for outdoors types.

The center-console storage area and dashboard glove box are both generously sized, and there is also additional instrument panel storage. The cargo area has easily cleaned flooring and a total of 10 utility hooks. In fact, Xterra's inside-rear is set up to handle anything the roof rack can't, such as a dirty dog or muddy gear. There is an adjustable channel system on the cargo floor making it easier to secure bike racks. A built-in first-aid kit is included with the Off-Road and SE grades.

The Rockford Fosgate stereo sounds good. Getting good sound in an SUV interior can be difficult, since there are many hard surfaces combined with soft shapes to reflect and muffle sound. In this case, 380 watts, eight speakers and a subwoofer carry the day.

Driving Impressions

The Nissan Xterra is an excellent choice for outdoor adventures. It cruises well on the highway. That's important because outdoor adventures often involve many miles of highway travel.

The automatic transmission, a five-speed overdrive unit, wins points around town. For commuting or driving in traffic, we prefer it. But on the open road, the six-speed manual is a sweet gearbox, with an overdrive gear so tall the engine barely murmurs at cruising speeds. In addition, the six-speed's lower four ratios are all lower than in the automatic, so we could really feel all the torque when we shifted for ourselves.

The 4.0-liter V6 offers very good throttle response. High-speed passing with the automatic transmission does create some noise and vibration as the engine revs toward redline, but only at speeds well above the normal cruising level. No such issues with the manual, which is strikingly refined, yet sporty. We're told the six-speed is a version of the same transmission used on the Nissan 350Z, and we recommend it for those who like to drive.

Regardless of the power train, the Xterra is easy to keep in its lane on the highway, probably due to the combination of rack-and-pinion steering and a speed-sensitive steering assist.

Even though the Xterra's utility quotient is its main design priority, effort has been made to reduce wind noise, and the results are tangible. Large mirrors, an angled grille, a big roof rack, open side steps: These are features that invariably create wind noise, and at speeds over 75 mph, noise does begin to become a factor. Yet below those speeds, the Xterra remains nicely calm and quiet. The roof rack, a prime source of wind whistle, has been designed with oval beams, which slice through the air more cleanly than round or square tubing. Engine noise, likewise, is kept to a minimum through techniques such as a silent timing chain, microfinished surfaces and Teflon-coated pistons.

On smaller roads, the Xterra retains a handy feeling, driving with the ease of a large family sedan. If you push it, the long-travel chassis will show some roll from side to side, and the tires will complain, but in ordinary driving, the Xterra feels consistently composed and, for a truck, highly refined. The 4.0-liter engine has some guts in the midrange and the Xterra accelerates well when coming out of a corner.