2005 Nissan Xterra Review

Name: 2005 Nissan Xterra Review
Brand: Nissan
Price: 1551 USD
Rating: 4.4 (164 reviews)

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

One of the most powerful V6s in the class, above average off-road capability, solid passenger room, innovative cargo features.

Cons

Still not what we would call refined on the street, a few instances of low-grade interior materials.

What’s new

The Xterra has been fully redesigned for 2005 with a new platform, a more powerful V6 and a more spacious interior.

Edmunds says

With newfound power under the hood, a more refined suspension underneath and more passenger space inside, Nissan addresses all the shortcomings of the previous Xterra without taking away any of the appealing attitude that made it a hit in the first place.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Xterra S Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$237/mo

$196/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Nissan Xterra.

5 (63%)

4 (21%)

3 (10%)

2 (5%)

1 (1%)

4.4

164 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 164 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Still an excellent, versatile backcountry SUV!

michael sanders, 04/08/2016

2005 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M)

Purchased used in 2009, 48K miles, now 178000 miles. replaced clutch (premature failure, undersized original clutch, design defect, Nissan would not acknowledge or repair) at about 55K with non-Nissan appropriately-robust clutch parts from Jim Wolf Technology, San Diego, no further clutch issues to date. Interior fabric holding up very well but did have drivers seat upholstery redone …

radiator/transmission

cindy0710, 07/13/2011

2005 Nissan Xterra SE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

I, too, have experienced the faulty radiator leaking into the transmission and ruining it...I have 109000 miles so it is beyond the 80000 mile warranty and nissan wants thousands to fix it....acknowledging that the faulty radiator caused the problem, not wear, tear, etc.....so now they want me to pay the hefty bill for a new radiator and transmission for a defect in the …

trans has design flaw

hs21, 04/26/2015

2005 Nissan Xterra SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

I have a 2005 Xterra and this a known problem that the radiator leaks into the trans causing both to fail. Nissan was sued over this problem and lost, so they extended the warranty to cover fixing. This problem also exists on the Frontier and Pathfinder. Nissan doesn't tell you this and I found out the hard way.

Love it, Hate it.. It's a good vehicle!

Brian Schott, 04/27/2018

2005 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Purchased mine very much used @ 143K miles recently.. This is a very well built vehicle, with a strong engine. Ok, so the interior isn't fantastic, but it's functional, and mind you I've been happy with my European vehicles (BMW), exclusively, for many years now. Steering is a bit heavy, but I can forgive that. The "S" model doesn't have a rear locker, but who needs that anyhow. Driver's …

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2005 Xterra Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,850
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$237/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	35.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Xterra include:

Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Marginal
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Acceptable
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

2005 Nissan Xterra Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Xterra S Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Nissan Xterra.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Still an excellent, versatile backcountry SUV!

radiator/transmission

trans has design flaw

Love it, Hate it.. It's a good vehicle!

2005 Xterra Highlights

Safety

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2005 Nissan Xterra Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Xterra S Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Still an excellent, versatile backcountry SUV!

radiator/transmission

trans has design flaw

Love it, Hate it.. It's a good vehicle!

2005 Xterra Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2005 Nissan Xterra info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Nissan

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Nissan Xterra S Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}