Used 2009 Nissan Xterra Consumer Reviews
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Great Vehicle With Minor Flaws
Overall, this has been a great vehicle since being purchased used with 56,000 miles. Our Xterra is currently ready to hit 90,000 miles, and we have been happy with the reliability and performance of the vehicle. The engine provides sufficient power to get up and go. The Xterra can tow up to 5,500 pounds, although we have yet to use ours for this purpose. Handling in the snow is perfect when in 4WD (can be a bit sketchy in 2WD due to being RWD). We have had zero problems with the drivetrain, however, this Xterra had the issue with coolant leaking into the transmission prior to our purchase. The radiator, transaxle, and differential were all replaced by the previous owner. If you do purchase an Xterra, make sure this problem was resolved or you could end up paying big money to fix these issues. Our only other complaint about the Xterra has been some electrical issues. We had to replace an airbag sensor that went bad and Nissan refused to pay for it because the VIN of our Xterra was not included in the recall on this even though it fell within the years that were recalled for this issue. The lock on the hatch quit working and the motor on the driver's door also quit. As many have mentioned, the interior quality is pretty cheap (plastics scratch easily), but that is not a big issue for our family. These things will last 200,000 plus if you take care of them and provide the necessary maintenance. UPDATE 12/31/19 The Xterra continues to perform beyond my expectations. Since my last review, we have had 0 problems with the SUV. We replaced a pair of horrible Yokohama Geolander HTS tires (like ice skates in the snow) with a set of Nokian WRG3 tires. This has made a world of difference when driving in snowy weather conditions. Getting ready to change the spark plugs and serpentine belt. The reliability and cost of maintenance have made this an exceptional vehicle. Don't hesitate to purchase one if it has been taken care of by previous owners.
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CA in TX
Research SMOD before buying this year model. If it's been taken care of, or has not happened, just put in a new radiator and you should be good to go for quite some time. Timing chain guides start wearing out around 125k and is an expensive endeavor. Never been stranded by this vehicle, and love the abilities. More functional aftermarket stereos are easy to add, giving you some of the newer technology. My technology rating is 5 star because I added a $300 Pioneer head unit and have the best of all those features (Apple CarPlay, hands-free talk, navigation, etc). Down in South Texas, I have no rust. Recently had to do valve cover gaskets and cam position sensor. The heater core hose plastics seem to deteriorate at around 8-10 years. It's easy and inexpensive to fix that if you catch it before it breaks. Vehicle has good power, and is pretty nimble. As of 10/2019 there was a failure on the rear differential. While the vehicle still drove, it was becoming noisy, and the rear axle felt as though it was dragging. Entire assembly was replaced by dealership at a pricey $2900, but it drives like a new car now. At 12 years old now, I think some of these issues come with the territory. Still happy overall with my Xterra and no plans to part with it.
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Great Truck
I purchased mine in 2009 with 17000 Miles on it. Today I am at 174000 miles and still going strong. Not best fuel economy but with 4wd, that is what you expect. Only repairs have been bad bearings on front. Aside from that all routine maintenance. Just replaced the full suspension recently and the ride is much better now. The older it get, the move vibrations you feel, but mainly over 70 mph. Really vibrates after 80 mph, tried wheel balancing several time, breaks and alignments, but i think it is just its age now. Would recommend the truck, but am hoping they redesign soon before i buy another car. I am looking at 4 runners due to much better fuel economy on 4wd versions.
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CAN'T SAY ENOUGH!
After major disappointment with my previous 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I turned to Nissan's Xterra, and will never turn back. In the 5-1/2 years that I've owned mine I've had no trouble other than a cracked in-tire air pressure sensor, but that's it. Drives great, super in snow and weather, dependable, trustworthy and comfortable. I needed something able to get through IA blizzard conditions; this baby does it! Have 113K miles on her (80% highway), and plan on keeping "Bear" for at least double that! No regrets whatsoever; I highly recommend Nissan for quality, performance, strength and durability. Leaves Jeep floundering in the dust, let me tell you that! *Update* It is now 2016, and the Xterra has 146K miles on her. Still going strong at eight years old! Replaced a rear wheel wheel assembly when mine loosened and eventually forced the ABS to kick in all the time, but that's it.
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Second Xterra
This is my second xterra. First was a 05 off-road 6speed. The new one is the same. 6 speed off-roads are soooo rare, had to jump at a new one. Still the best all around choice in a respectable 4x4 suv that can go "off-road" for real. But would like lower gears and a little more ground clearance. On the road, if you like power, this is the suv for the money.
2009 Xterra
I have the S with tech package, 4WD, 6M. I rented a 2006 and traveled 2000+ miles and it was a rough ride at that time. Nissan has made some wonderful changes in the suspension and engine power. The 2009 is more sports car than SUV. A true joy to drive. Very little road noise. Hands free blue tooth is great. The Rockford Fosgate music system is out of this world 8 speakers and a sub-woofer. The back seats are stadium placed so that the back seats are higher than the front. Lots of cargo area. This is my 3rd Nissan the other 2 (Stanza & Altima) I got 190,000+ miles out of them. I know that this one will do the same. A week is hard to tell much about a car, but it's long enough to say it's great
Happy Camper
A solid unit that tows like there is nothing behind. Two road trips of 2500 miles and was very pleased with the comfort for a truck that also is a tank off road. Handles much better in snow than my old G Cherokee. I looked at the fj, H3 and others but the visibility on the X was a huge selling point. If you want an "out door" vehicle it's nice to see it. I would recommend and buy again. A good value.
Off road ready, but still stock
Bought certified 2 years ago, Our Xterra has seen dirt, water, and 110 on it's speedometer. We had no problems driving it on light offroad courses, and it's big enough to seat 4 in the back (please dont do it though!) The MPG's aren't too good, but it's good enough for what it is. Surprised at it's speed, though, since it outsprints most family sedans to 60, and the 21+ gallon tank will last you 350-ish miles. Biggest problem are the rear seats. The front ones are soft, and big, but the rear bench feels just like that. a park bench. don't spend more than 4 hours in the back of it, or your back will hurt.
Excellent SUV
I have owned this xterra for a year now, and I must say it is absolutely wonderful! It has great power, handles excellent, it is very durable, and I have not had one problem with it. I must also say the sound system is excellent too! The gas mileage is not too bad for a suv, I get 22 mpg on the highway and around 18 mpg in city driving. As far as comfort it is good if you do not frequently drive long distances. It does well in the snow, and the heat is great, as well as the air conditioning is great too! Over all it is a excellent vehicle !
Mixed Review
Purchased new 2009. Rockford Fosgate sound system above average, nice technology package. Combined gas mileage (20% city, 80% hwy) is 21-22 mpg. Looks nice, rides comfortably, but I'm having hard time adjusting from previous full-size pickup truck. I am 6' tall, and I feel a little closed-in. Short arm rest is more like an elbow rest... it sucks. Test drive was good, but after a month I'm not so happy. 6 cylinder engine seems to have sufficient if not awesome power. Back seats are nice to have, but not much room for rear passengers unless you scoot front seats up. Plastic console dents easily (don't drop anything on it). Vehicle is shorter than some cars. Mixed feelings, but quality vehicle
Could not be better
Excellent vehicle quality. Very fun to drive. High visibility and very stylish. I use to drive a Jetta which is very compact. Before that I had a Ford Excursion, very comfortable, but terrible gas mileage. I am very happy with this vehicle so far.
I have owned 5
This makes my 5th Xterra, I love the auto and have owned one starting with a 2000. Have never had a major problem with any of the previous (4) I have driven. My wife uses it most and she feels safe and enjoys having the 4wd on demand during our NE winters, Use it every weekend to drive from Boston to our place in NH. Ride is smooth and comfortable enough to put the dog to sleep on the way up.
2 yrs and still running great
Fun SUV to drive... hugs the road like a champ with smooth acceleration and strong brakes. Mine is a 4x4... haven't taken it off road yet but looking forward to it. Got mine a yr old at a steal and even if I didn't, it's still worth the money. It's expensive to maintain though...tires cost 200+ a piece and maintenance at the Nissan dealership which I recommend, is still expensive. But all in all, haven't had mechanical issues yet @ 66000 miles. This is my second Nissan after my 2004 Maxima SL and Nissan hasn't failed me yet.
Great SUV For The Money
Overall I'm very pleased with my Xterra SE. Something I haven't seen mentioned here is a recent recall I was told about through a Nissan mailing. The mailing states that there "could be" a bad weld on the torsion bar and to schedule an appointment with the dealership and they'd diagnose and repair at no cost if necessary. The dealer informed me that they needed a special welder to do the repair and they didn't have one there. They are supposed to locate a business nearby that can handle the job and contact me. They also said that Corporate Nissan informed them that this recall is for ALL Xterra's- not some of them. I felt a bit deceived by the mailing at that point. Otherwise, I'm very happy.
beast 4x4
I did my home work compare and test drive a jeep, fj and blazer and i decided to get a xterra. drove it in ohio winter storm with 24 inches of snow off road no problem still lots of power its a beast for a 4x4. i love it hope they have a bigger tires and higher ground clearance.:)
Great SUV
I got my Xterra S used and love it. The V6 engine is powerful and the ride is smooth and quite. The exterior styling is really nice looking. The interior is pleasant looking and roomy, but very minimal. There are lots of plastic panels and very few bells and whistles you would expect. It would be nice to have more features. The biggest disappointment was the terrible factory sound system. One of the first things I did was replace the radio and speakers with an aftermarket system. The rear cargo is very nicely thought out with adjustable tie downs on the floor and roof, storage under the floor, and rear seats that fold down flush making lots of room for dogs or hauling. Cleans up nice.
Better than any Jeep available now
I've owned several Jeeps from 1951 to 2001 models. This Xterra has the newer jeeps beat hands down.
Xterra S 4x4
I initially wanted an FJ, but I checked- out the Xterra and was very pleased. I showed up at the dealer looking for an offroad and was informed they were next to impossible to get in my area. After much deliberation I opted for an S and never looked back. I'm very happy with my xterra, the night armor looks great and it is a very capable 4x4 even without the offroad package. But really I can put in an airlocker and heavy duty shocks if needed. Mine came with the free technology package and I love it, the hands free bluetooth has been great and the rockford audio is quite enjoyable. It has an actual back seat as well and four doors. The utility of the Xterra can't be beat. Has 4x4 gas mileage
Thoughts on Xterra
The Xterra has its ups and downs, the engine offers nice power, but fuel mileage is bad. Sometimes city/hwy average mileage as low as 13 mpg that's not even using 4wd. Aerodynamics are terrible roof rack, running boards, fenders, back bumper steps, heavy 4wd system. The auto tranny shifts well. Cargo area offers a decent amount of space. Overall satisfied.
Work horse
Engine is powerful, but could be more fuel efficient if given cylinder deactivate. Never strained even with full load. Cargo area is durable, but scratches easily. Ride could be smoother if Live-axle and leaf springs were traded for independent suspension. HVAC works surprisingly well, considering there are only vents in the front of the truck. Vehicle is great in weather even when in RWD mode. Use 4WD, and nothing stops it.
Safest Small SUV Money Can Buy
I bought my two teenagers each a new Xterra. Each now has lived through a horrific accident. One side impact the other head on. Both vehicles totaled. Both cases i am absolutely amazed at the sturdy frame construction and impact resistance the Xterra has. I was told by all professionals involved that both survivals were miracles. That may be but Nissan makes one heck of an SUV. That from a grateful Dad.
Xterra SE 4w drive
Lots of power, handling is great, sits up high. Good vision, interior all leather great sound system. Exterior is rugged looking. Gas mileage 17.5 highway. I new that when I bought it. Wish I had heated mirrors, surprised it was not part of se package. Drove through snow storm in Michigan truck handling was super. This is very well made truck. Very happy with Nissan. Towing atv and snowmobiles and all of our gear and four adults was no problem.
Great vehicle until somthing goes wrong.
This is a cool looking car and has a lot of power but if your looking for a reliable SUV this is not the one. Constantly there is somthing that needs to be repaired. Expect to spend thousands on repairs such as transmission/radiator cross contamination, rear diff faliure, timing chain whine and tensioner, rough idle, etc. All at or below 100,000 miles. If those major repairs have been done then you have got a great car!
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One of the last real SUVs
The Nissan Xterra is one of the last real SUVs, that is capable of being a daily driver AND going off road on the weekends (try that with a Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Rav4). Ride is definitely truck-like (and should be, since it's based on a truck platform), but still gives a quiet and smooth ride on the interstate. The Technology package is awesome, and the Bluetooth and Rockford Fosgate system are great options. I love my X. It's equally suited to long road-trips and deep woods excursions. I wouldn't want anything else.
Glad I bought it
I have been a Nissan Frontier owner since 1995 and have been very satisfied with the quality and engineering of Nissan vehicles. Recently I began looking at the X- Terra. I was happy to see that Nissan has continued with their quality in workmanship and "thinking of the little things" like the door in the skid plate that allows you access to the oil filter when changing your oil. The interior is well designed and the ride is comfortable. For anyone looking at a mid sized SUV I'd give the X Terra more than just a passing look.
no brainer
This is my second xterra, my first was a 2000 SE purchased in 99'. There is no other suv out at the moment that I would rather have (excluding the larger BMW X's and infinity QX56). My 2000 only gave me a fuel pump problem (replaced by dealer on a recall) in 100,000 of driving, with very bad maintenance record after the 2nd year, changed oil every other year. So I figured I pushed it to the max (last day came back from the jersey shore at avg.80MPH and it was time to get a new one. I love my 2009 off road - the sound system is awsome. The truck, well I'll just let it speak for itself. now if I can just pay this sucker off I would be the happiest man on the planet.
Better than I expected
We have a place in the Western NC mountains and wanted a vehicle that could handle the old forest service access trails/roads. Began looking at the FJ but the back seat just didn't cut it. I had been trying to get the off road Xterra for six months. They are hard to get right now. This truck has a much better highway ride than I expect. On mountain highways there is very little lean in the curves. Gas mileage is better than I thought. The only negative so far is the XM radio which regularly drops reception even on Interstate highways. I am going to have that checked out. BTW the short center arm rest is no problem at all.
2009 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 2WD V6 Auto
Awesome. I purchased the S with tech package (Rockford Fosgate premium sound system, 6 CD). This is my second Xterra. I previously owned a 2002 for four years. Love the sharp interior styling. I am still exploring the many features of the newest Xterra in Red Brick (gorgeous!). I love the molded water bottle holders in the doors and the tucked away cup holders in the back and several well-placed areas for all the things you need to take with you. Great change is the hard plastic lined cargo area (beats previous carpeted cargo area). I loved my 2002 and I know that the 2009 will not disappoint. Plenty of power and room. Fun to drive.
Awesome All Around 4x4 SUV
Great news for the SUV enthusiast. Nissan has really done the trick with the Xterra. Nimble on road, capable off road, easy on the wallet, outstanding performance. I'd throw stones at similar sized SUV's by the other manufacturers. This vehicle has long been a hit for the market niche and I would recommend the average individual who needs a slightly larger vehicle to take a test drive. The fuel economy is exceptional for the type of vehicle and its capabilities.
Love My New Xterra
This my first Xterra but seventh Nissan. It's hard to beat a Nissan vehicle. The Xterra is a great SUV to drive. My wife calls it my "sport truck". Besides a great price my Xterra also came with $1300 of free electronics upgrades. The Rockford Fosgate sound system is great, much better than the Bose I had in my Pathfinder. The Blue Tooth hands free phone is also great as is the XM satellite radio. The Xterra handles extremely well and is a solidly built vehicle. The 261 h.p. engine is typical Nissan quality - great quality and performance. I've never had a single engine problem with all my previous Nissans. In summary, I am totally satisfied with my new Xterra.
245k miles and still going strong
2/2023 Just sold it with 280,000 miles on the clock and going strong.. sold for $4,500 easily with the lifetime of documentation of services and preventative maintenance. It pays to record all services! Purchased with 110k miles now nearing 250,000. I do all my own maintenance and I’m probably more anal about it than most but can’t say enough about the X. It’s needed wheel bearings, a radiator, replaced all tie rods and ball joints over the years as one might expect with such miles but the engine is smooth, can cruise all day at 90 with the strong 4 liter motor, it can pull boats, campers and even room to car camp inside. A beast in the snow and can easily tackle off road fun. So versatile! Keep looking for it’s replacement but I’d hate to ever be without it! Good maintenance is key
2009 Nissan Xterra
I love my Xterra ... This is my 3rd winter in Maine and I am coming across issues w/ not starting on very cold mornings (we haven't seen a winter like this in Maine is 15years). I've been told this is a known issue w/ the Xterra's and the ECM (google it). Besides this one issue I love it, great power ! Handles the road great !.
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Cool truck, but not great quality
I bought this truck and loved it for the first 13,000 miles or so. The RF stereo sounds great, the Bluetooth phone system is great and the potential capability of the truck is excellent. However, at around 13,000 miles, the vibrations and squeaks started making me question the long term quality. There is an odd metallic vibration that comes from the front of the truck when the engine hits about 1750 RPMs when driving. Also, while I don't mind the appearance of the hard plastic interior materials, they do scratch easily. This is mostly a problem in the cargo area, where hauling basic, normal will leave it scratched up after only a couple of times. The roof rack is fantastic, though.
Lots of truck for the buck! Fantastic!
We've always been a Nissan family and bought our latest two, an '07 Sentra S (my daily driver) and '06 Xterra Off-Road (spouse's daily driver), in 10/06. While I rarely drove the Xterra, I loved being high up and having power to spare when I did, so much in fact that I just traded my Sentra for a '08 Xterra. Even the base trim offers great bang for the buck. The 4.0L V6 is a beast, the 5 spd A/T meshes well with it, and it came with standard features that not even my S trim Sentra came with, including cruise, ABS, VDC and EBD (traction control). It's my first SUV and my first RWD vehicle, but its dimensions are easy to acclimate to, and its handling, though still SUV- like, is quite confident.
Xterra "two thumbs up"
I've only owned this vehicle for about a month, but it didn't take long to realize this is a great vehicle. Test drove jeep grands, and 4 runners. I've have always driven Toyota's in the past, but they're too expensive. My advice is save your money and get the xterra, "everything you need and nothing you don't" pretty much sums it up, they're not fancy but they get the job done.
1st SUV!!!
Coming from a 350z I really enjoy being high up. I do notice a rattle in the driver door around the window, oh well it's not that bad.
Had to buy another one!
Bought the first Xterra in May of 07. Loved it so much that my wife decided to trade in her Ford for another Xterra last month. "Fun to drive" is the best way to decribe it!
2008 xterra 4x4
133000 mi, never tuned up, just oil changes. runs great, buy it..............
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Awesome!!
Wow, is all I can say about this new Xterra. I just got this 09 Off Road X and I think it was the best decision I could have made. I traded in a 06 Rubicon; the Rubicon was a sweet ride but not travel friendly! Really bad gas mileage; like 9.4 miles per gallon on the highway. I got rid of the jeep and thought I was going to get the Toyota FJ, but ended up coming home with the Xterra. Reasons: I can see out of the X, the X doesn't need premium gas, the X has four doors, and the off road packages for both are the same. After driving each for a whole day the winner was the Xterra.
EXTERRA TOUGH-NOT WEENY
Great off road-- weak spots are exhaust muffler will leak top rear seam to destroy the wiring harness and whatever else the hot gases hit---check the u-joints frequently---do regular maintanence and things will go good
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TOUGH VEHICLE
Great vehicle but i had a bad experience with the muffler developing a hole a the top back seam, which damaged the wiring harness to the wheel sensor and the right wheel seal. This cause d the need for a new 1/2 axle and sensor and wiring (not cheap). This was made worst because the heat shield above the muffler was not designed long enough to protect the wiring etc. I since have fabricated a longer heat shield.
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Love it!
I've owned 4 Hondas of which 2 were CR-v (07 and 08). Compared to the Xterra they didn't stand a chance. The Xterra is solidly built and they thought of everything. Also you get so many features compared to the Hondas and the Xterra is customizable. I really love mine. I've had it for 3 days so far, but I am really enjoying the ride. It's high up, visibility is great, and it's built so solid. No annoying rattles, etc. The plastic interior is very high quality and I feel that it's laid out perfect. Everything is in the right place. Power everything, mirrors, doors, windows. and it came with high quality mats even! I hope Nissan keeps up with not sacrificing quality.
Quality, Real Sport Utility Vehicle
Sturdy, truck frame, doesn't feel like a delicate car whose suspension has been raised and given 4WD. Inspires confidence in bad weather and on rough trails. Fun to drive in the snow and slush! Feels safe. VDC works well when roads are slick. Good ground clearance with key components tucked up under the frame. Excellent acceleration. Very responsive engine and transmission. Quiet on the highway. Comfortable for four on a trip.
Just Okay
SUV is pretty much what you see is what you get. It is a truck with an SUV body. Wasn't long until I noticed a roaring noise when slowing down. It actually causes the entire vehicle to vibrate.There is also a whining noise between 45 and 50 mph.Sometimes the shifting is very loose and makes a clanking noise. I plan to address these problems on my next scheduled visit. The gas mileage is a little better than advertised. The ride is so so. The center armrest is too far back.
The ride you have been waiting for
I recently traded in a ford escape (02) for my new Xterra. After researching I decided that this was the suv for me. I love the power and so far it has handled well in the snow and ice. I am impressed, so far, with the build quality. I have only had the car for about 6 weeks but so far I am extremely impressed.
Nissan Is #1
This is 2nd X-terra - my first was not a four wheel drive - but she traveled extremely well - the one i own now is a four wheel drive and i love her even more - i can not imagine owning another vehicle but if i do somewhere down the line - i promise it will be a Nissan - i will never go back to any other vehicle - Nissan is the best made auto!!!
Wow I Love this Xterra!
Decided on the Xterra after looking at Honda CR-V, Acura RDX, Toyota Highlander, etc. The Xterra may seem not fancy enough for some folks, but seriously it's got everything you need. I've been extremely pleased with this Xterra, it's such a great all round vehicle, easy to drive and not a ginormous vehicle. It's straightforward, drives great and has not given me one moment's trouble in 5 months of daily driving.
Awesome!!
I just recently bought my Nissan and Love it. It's so comfortable and handles the road like I was driving my Mustang. I wanted something a little bigger than what i had which was chev blazer and with a little more horsepower. Even tho I got a used car with low mileage it's still a great purchase. I recommend this vehicle to anyone..
Xterra - Xtra Great
After owning sports cars for 26 years, Toyota Turbo Supra, Dodge Stealth R/S, I finally bought a practical vehicle (of course I kept the Stealth as well!). To my surprise the performance of my 2008 Xterra has been great, I've only lost about 1.5 seconds 0 to 60 (6.9 on timed track), handling is great and the fit and finish is wonderful. The 6 speed keeps it as a "driver's" SUV. My kids finally can fit comfortably and my over all mileage has been 22 MPG. It's a tough, beautiful performance SUV, I may just keep it forever.
most versatile vehicle I've ever owned
I bought my offroad exterra new. After comparing and testing to the fj cruiser. I found that the exterra was much more versatile and tougher built. I drive my vehicle every day on and offroad. With the back seat folded down there is almost the same amount of room as a small truck, with the convenience of being able to put the seats back up for passengers. I've owned this vehicle for over a year and nothing slows it down. You can Cruise comfortably on the freeway, and then switch to 4 wheel drive and travel over the roughest terrain. Also it has good towing capabilities. Considering that the v-6 is more powerful than most v-8s and that it is an offroad 4x4 it gets great mpg w/out being boring.