Used 2012 Nissan Xterra Consumer 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.
Great truck-like SUV that is very reliable
grbeaulieu, 03/18/2020
updated 09/21/2020
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
The last of body on frame SUV (except Jeep Wrangler). Competent old school platform with new world reliability. I have owned this SUV for 3 years, ... and it runs the same as the day I bought it
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Great 2nd Xterra
Mark Mitchell, 03/18/2019
2012 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Our 1st Xterra was a 2002 SE. We drove it 209000 miles with only a few repairs. I loved the tight turning radius, durable paint, and feel of riding high compared to other SUV's. The 2012 is more comfortable, bigger engine, and more interior room.
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2nd Xterra
Brandon, 01/04/2019
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
This is my second, Xterra. The first was an 09. I got this car new and have gotten the oil change between 3k-4k miles, tires rotated approx. every 5k miles. In all honesty, the 09 seemed to perform better engine wise. Interior is all hard plastic and the sound system is fairly lacking. Living in, Utah and working in cold climates the environmental systems were not the greatest. Took a LONG time to heat up and the defrost vents could have been better placed. All this being said. Despite this vehicle being VERY heavy for it's size (a V8 option would be perfect for highways) and the gas millage is horrible (I do travel fast and accelerate quickly), visibility could be better (multiple blind spots), no seat pockets which, I just can not understand (the double glove box SORT of compensates for this) and with the 2011 model the transmission is loud and there can be a lag before it shifts gears but the, Xterra has spoiled me. Two things that stand out with this vehicle. One it is an off-road beast. I work at mines and pipelining and getting to and from a job site is never an issue. Off-road or in DEEP snow (several feet), you just pop her into 4low and she will crawl over anything. You have to have a gentle foot as she has a lot of torque and the vehicle design could be better (considering how well it goes off road). Second is, acceleration. For such a heavy vehicle and a V6, she can move. While, performance wise, I do not have a lot to complain about with the Xterras, considering how hard, Nissan is to work with and the fact that they have nothing that comes close to the performance of the Xterra, I will not be getting another vehicle from them. I am deciding if, I want the Chevy Blazer, Lincoln MKX or wait till the Bronco is released. Unfortunately trying to find a small-midsize SUV (or an aggressive CUV) is impossible now. If any car manufacturer is looking at this, a compact -small SUV with an actual engine would be nice. 4cyl do not last as long and while they give better millage, I would like to have some power under the hood and the option to be able to at least use it for getting to jobsites or driving in winter conditions (Doesn't need to be a trail ripper or a towing beast).
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Beware
Matt, 12/21/2017
2012 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 11 people found this review helpful
Have a 2012 Xterra with only 47k miles and is now in shop having transmission rebuilt. No warning before breakage
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Throw away the radio
mossman4, 07/25/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 14 people found this review helpful
Bad stereo, bad sound , No auxiliary jack, bad reception, disappointing.