2004 Nissan Xterra Review
2004 Nissan Xterra Review





+15
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Rugged looks and the off-road capability to match, lots of room inside, solid construction.
Cons
- Sloppy on-road ride and steering, four-cylinder and standard V6 lack power, spartan cabin design.
What’s new
For 2004, 17-inch alloy wheels are now standard on non-supercharged SE models, and 16-inch, four-spoke alloys are standard on the XE-V6.
Edmunds says
A truck-based compact sport-ute for those who actually plan to go off-roading. Those seeking a refined urban runabout should look elsewhere.
2004 Xterra Highlights
XE
- Combined MPG
- 19 MPG
- Cost to Drive
- $211/month
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- rear wheel drive
- Engine Type
- Gas
- Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Vehicle overview
Ever since the mid-'90s, compact SUVs have become a huge market. Most manufacturers offer one, and with so many available, it is often hard choosing which one is right for you. The majority of compact SUVs for sale in 2003 are so-called "crossover" SUVs, meaning that they are car-based rather than truck-based. The advantages to having a small crossover SUV are that they are comfortable to drive and possess secure handling characteristics. Nissan's Xterra, now in its fourth model year, is somewhat of a rarity. It is based on a real truck; namely, the Frontier compact pickup. Its wheelbase is shared with the Frontier, and so is the independent front suspension and leaf-spring and solid axle setup at the rear. As such, the Xterra (terra for the land it crosses and X for the generation it intends to target) is tailored to the outdoor enthusiast. Its spartan interior, bucking-bronco ride and utilitarian design are not focused on providing comfort for wide bottoms, though we still see it driven by middle-aged folks to Pottery Barn parking lots. The Xterra is extremely capable off-road; jam it into 4-Lo via the floor-mounted lever, and it bounds over rocks and gullies with abandon. But when compared to other SUVs like the Honda CR-V or Ford Escape, the Xterra's on-pavement performance seems sloppy and numb. It's also more expensive, especially with the higher trim levels. If you truly plan to get your future compact SUV dirty, though, the Xterra should be seriously considered. It has the right styling, the right attitude and the right hardware. It also has good build quality and a strong reputation for reliability, giving you peace of mind as you head out on your favorite trail.
Performance & mpg
Base XEs come with a 2.4-liter inline four that makes 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. As this truck weighs almost 3,600 pounds, acceleration is modest, at best. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with this engine. The larger 3.3-liter V6 makes 180 hp and 202 lb-ft of torque. SE-S/C models have an Eaton supercharger bolted on that boost horsepower to 210 and torque to 246. You can get a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic on the XE-V6, but all SEs and SE-S/Cs come with the automatic only. Four-wheel-drive Xterras have a part-time 4WD system with shift-on-the-fly capability. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds (with V6 and the automatic transmission), considerably more than that of most crossover SUVs.
Safety
All Xterras have antilock brakes (front discs and rear drums) with EBD. In the backseat, the center position has a lap belt only. Side curtain airbags, an unusual feature for this class of vehicle, are optional. So is VDC, Nissan's stability control system, and it's offered on all V6 models. In NHTSA side-impact testing, the Xterra received four stars (out of a possible five) for front-occupant safety and five stars for the rear. Front-impact safety is rated at four stars. The IIHS rated the Xterra "Acceptable" (the second highest) after performing its frontal offset crash test.
Driving
The Xterra looks sort of cool and is a blast off-road. But the soft and sloppy suspension is certainly no joy on the pavement, allowing excessive body roll. The steering is also heavily boosted and gives little feedback to the driver. As you would expect, Xterras with the supercharged V6 offer the best acceleration. The supercharger whine sounds exhilarating, and there is plenty of thrust in first gear; although, much like the standard V6, the supercharged engine runs out of steam at freeway speeds.
Interior
Young, active folks won't have any trouble hopping up or down from the Xterra's high seats, nor will they object to the thin cushions they find there, but others will likely wish for cushier chairs and easier access. The dash is comprised of quality materials and the quasi-industrial look of the switchgear fits the vehicle-as-tool theme. Maximum capacity is 65.6 cubic feet, an average figure for a compact SUV.
2004 Nissan Xterra models
The Xterra is Nissan's compact SUV. There are four trim levels -- XE, XE-V6, SE-V6 and SE-Supercharged (S/C). Four-wheel drive is available with all of these, except the base XE. The base XE doesn't come with many standard features other than air conditioning and a CD player. The XE-V6 adds 16-inch alloy wheels, an extra pair of speakers (for a total of six) and a tilt steering wheel. Amenities like power windows and locks, remote keyless entry and cruise control are optional on both XE models. The SE and SE-S/C models add 17-inch wheels, tubular step bars and a 300-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with an in-dash CD changer. Options on both SE models include leather upholstery and a flip-up sunroof.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Nissan Xterra.
5 star(57%)
4 star(33%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(2%)
168 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
300,000 miles
xt200k, 06/23/2013
2004 Nissan Xterra SE S/C Rwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A)
routine maintenance
goes a long way
nothing major
brakes-rotors-belts-fluids
and lots of gas and tires
bought new 2003
4.13 out of 5 stars
great SUV for the money
shocker0513, 02/20/2011
2004 Nissan Xterra SE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
i picked up my Xterra used in 2008 with 12k and now im up to 70k. i use full synthetic oil and so far maintenance has been super cheap. ive only done basic maintenance stuff with no repairs in 58k miles! the stock tires suck, but if you invest in a decent set of all terrains, this truck cant be beat for the price. acceleration is lacking, but you sacrifice giddy up for economy. ive … gotten up to 20mpg out of this SUV no problem. AC and heater work great. 4wd is great. creeks, mud, water up to the doors. pulls through it all (if you know how to drive off road properly).
4.25 out of 5 stars
Good SUV Startup vehicle
Hunter228, 05/29/2004
2004 Nissan Xterra XE I4 Rwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
I just got my X-Terra, I drove it to
the Grand Canyon. While it could only
do 60MPH going uphill, on the flat road
it handled very well, for a 4 cyl. It
was comfortable to ridee in it. Roomy
for all my gear, fuel consuption was
very good when speeds were kept to at
least 75MPH. Doing 80 - 90MPH and your
fuel consuption will still not be too
bad. While more power … would be great,
all and all the X-Terra (4cyl)is not a
bad investment for what you get.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Xterra has stood up to my bad habits, Great Truck
plmr747, 09/17/2013
2004 Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
This vehicle had been through the mill, I have put 250,000 miles on it and replaced the tires twice, changed the oil lots and now have to replace the rear shocks. Along with driving constantly in bad weather, I have towed very heavy equipment and up to 23' boats on a regular basis. I have the 3.3 in it which makes it a bit of a slug off the line, but the power is there when you need it. … (well geared) While not towing I get around 28 mpg and can go from Kingston On. to Boston Mass. on 1 tank of fuel.
More about the 2004 Nissan Xterra
Used 2004 Nissan Xterra Overview
The Used 2004 Nissan Xterra is offered in the following submodels: Xterra SUV. Available styles include XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 4A), XE Rwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 4A), SE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 4A), XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M), SE S/C 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A), SE Rwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 4A), XE I4 Rwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M), XE Rwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M), and SE S/C Rwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A). Pre-owned Nissan Xterra models are available with a 3.3 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 180 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2004 Nissan Xterra comes with four wheel drive, and rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2004 Nissan Xterra?
Price comparisons for Used 2004 Nissan Xterra trim styles:
- The Used 2004 Nissan Xterra XE is priced between $7,995 and$7,995 with odometer readings between 103131 and103131 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2004 Nissan Xterras are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2004 Nissan Xterra for sale near. There are currently 1 used and CPO 2004 Xterras listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $7,995 and mileage as low as 103131 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2004 Nissan Xterra.
Can't find a used 2004 Nissan Xterras you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Nissan Xterra for sale.
Find a used Nissan for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Nissan Xterra for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Nissan for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2004 Nissan Xterra?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Nissan lease specials
Check out Nissan Xterra lease specials
Related Used 2004 Nissan Xterra info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Lexus RX 350L 2021 Review
- Lexus RX 450H 2020 Review
- Lexus RX 450H 2021 Review
- Lexus RX 450HL 2020 Review
- Lexus RX 450HL 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Volkswagen Golf 2001
- Used Jaguar F-TYPE 2017
- Used Ford Expedition EL 2007
- Used Buick Regal Sportback 2003 For Sale
- Used Maserati F-450 Super Duty 2013
- Used Lexus LS 500 2002
- Used Maserati Hardtop 4 Door 2017
- Used Ford Escape Hybrid 2010 For Sale
- Used Chevrolet Suburban 2001
- Used Maserati F-350 Super Duty 2009 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- CT4 V Blackwing
- 2022 Highlander Hybrid
- 2022 BMW X5
- 2024 Hyundai Elantra News
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
- 2022 Mazda CX-30
- Audi S8
- 2022 Maxima
- Ford F-250 Super Duty 2022
- 2024 Toyota Camry News
Research recent models from same make
- Nissan Frontier 2022
- 2022 Nissan LEAF
- 2023 Nissan GT-R
- 2022 Murano
- 2022 Kicks
- 2022 Nissan Armada
- Nissan Titan XD
- 2022 Titan
- 2023 Titan XD
- 2023 Titan
Research similar vehicles
- Mazda CX 50
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 Interior
- Lincoln Navigator For Sale
- Mazda CX 9
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- Lincoln Aviator
- GMC Terrain
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Kia Niro Hybrid
- Nissan Murano