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Used 2012 Nissan Xterra Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
35 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Xterra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Xterra since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
4.5 out of 5 stars

Great SUV

moose72690, 12/17/2013
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great SUV!!! I have the 2011 Xterra S Black. I put a NISMO cold air intake on it and it sounds fantastic! It feels safe with all the features and how high you sit up. The only complaint is that it gets 19mpg at best and there is no AUX port????

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4 out of 5 stars

One Of The Best

Ernest Miller, 03/27/2018
updated 03/29/2021
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful

This vehicle is designed around the outdoor sportsman. Rugged, stylish, well designed to accomodate off roading. If you are wanting a get around town SUV there are many others suited to that preference. I rate the vehicle outstanding in overall performance. Maintenance has consisted of oil changes, five years into ownership. Dependability is outstanding, it handles typical off road terrain without a problem. Another outstanding feature is the resale value. It has consistently held high resale value thus far. Cons: This is a 2012 so it was too early to get mandatory back-up navigation. Another is gas mileage. Perhaps the largest downside as it gets 16mpg in town and not much more on the highway. She's thirsty all the time. Lastly is highway performance. Freeway access speed could be improved, rapid passing is a bit challenging and requires good anticipation skills on two lane highways. None of the downsides, however, actually detract from an otherwise excellent vehicle. Rain/snow traction is smooth and easy in the Pro 4X, shifting to 4 wheel drive requires about two seconds and the flip of a switch. Thus far this has been one of the best vehicles I've owned from just about every angle.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars

Love/Hate

hhilde, 11/27/2012
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

If I had the need I would buy this truck again and have two of them. That means I like the truck and I am happy I can get a tuck with all its functional capability in this particular size. I feel like I can go anywhere in any condition living in MN. All the professional reviews seem accurate so use those but what they don't say that I don't like is: I think the breaks are touchy and lacking feel. I also think the accelerator is jumpy meaning when you step on the gas get ready to jump and go go go! I find this annoying when trying to get out of a parallel parking spot gracefully without hitting the car in from of me. Especially downtown Seattle on a hill. Yikes!

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3 out of 5 stars

2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4x review

nissanboy1, 06/17/2014
updated 06/19/2017
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful

I bought my Xterra strictly for it's offroad capabilities and here is my opinion after 36k miles: I bought a manual tranny model cause I was unsure if Nissan fixed the automatic tranny problem. First gear on the 6 speed is pretty good ratio wise for crawling around technical rocky terrain, I live in NV where that is most of the terrain. The stock tires were terrible offroad and should not be used in hard wheeling conditions. My Xterra would climb like a billy goat, but performed terribly in snow and mud as it wouldn't allow wheel spin to get through such. I blew up the front axle when I pulled the fuse to allow me to actually get the front wheels spinning in snow. Towing is sketchy!!! The rest of the vehicle's functions performed above average I would say. The Rockford Fosgate sound system was excellent for a stock radio from a manufacturer. My fuel economy never saw above 17 mpg and that includes cruising down the highway 400 miles at a time in 6th gear. The paint was good on this vehicle, much better than my current Toyota, as I drove through bushes that would scrape the Xterra but buff right out come detail time. Overall I liked my Xterra, not perfect, pretty good offroad, enough room for camping stuff and awkward items since seats folded down.

Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

So nice, I bought this model twice

Lori Clark, 10/25/2016
2011 Nissan Xterra X 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great rugged SUV. Very reliable, excellent powertrain, roomy, and tough.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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