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Used 2013 Nissan Xterra Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
45 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2013 Xterra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Xterra since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Pro 4 Awesomness

Brad C, 07/26/2016
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
22 of 22 people found this review helpful

I bought my 2012 Pro 4 X brand new from the dealership, I love it, best Vehicle I've ever owned. I just rolled up on 90,000 miles and the only mechanical issues I've had so far were two broken leaf springs. I cant complain about the maintenance cost because there have been almost None. If you Live in Maine you will understand we have a yearly safety inspection and the dealership always does mine and always passes with no issues. Tires, two new leaf springs and oil changes have been my only cost in the 90,000 miles. Quite a few of those miles have been off road. Its an awesome vehicle, to bad they don't import them in to the US any more.

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5 out of 5 stars

Great SUV

thisnthat3, 09/26/2013
updated 11/02/2023
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
41 of 43 people found this review helpful

I've had a number of different SUV brands over the years, this by far is the best. It is a "true" SUV not a crossover, lots of space & just generally a great fun car to drive. Very reliable, have driven back & forth down South a few times w/o any problems whatsoever. It was a year old, certified new when purchased. UPDATE: Have now owned this car 7 years & its still runs as if brand new. Only regular maintenance performed, oil changes, tires, etc. Otherwise car runs great, no problems. Would definitely purchase another, unfortunately cars are changing each year and can't say the newest ones are made as well. UPDATE 10/21: Car still running great! Took it from FL to UT, changed out tires, did some recommended maintenance but car doing great! Will definitely consider another Nissan when looking to buy. UPDATE: 4/22/22 Car still going strong! I keep up on routine maintenance, take it up the hills of UT, gets me thru snow, best car ever! UPDATE: 10/2023 Car going strong! I've even had offers from others to purchase it but it runs great, I keep up with maintenance and its doing great. Even the mechanics comment on how welll this SUV runs.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 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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5 out of 5 stars

A little package of dynamite!

Little package of dynamite, 07/03/2019
2013 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful

I received a 2013 Nissan Xterra "Off Road" 4WD as a birthday gift in 2013. It has been by far the best vehicle i have owned! Living in California you will hardly need your 4WD for snow. However i have rental property in South Lake Tahoe which gets lots of snow. Driving this vehicle on a paved road, dirt road or snow was truely enjoyable. This vehicle never let me down when i was on the road. Other than the normal maintenance I never had to spend extra money getting something fixed! A few years ago I moved to Oregon, Off Grid!! My Xterra was wonderful! Then one day on my way into town on a dirt road, apparently I had a rear tire blowout! I rolled my poor Xterra 4 times! I had my seatbelt on as us usual! I came out of that with not even a scratch, but all of the side airbags deployed! Both passenger and driver side! I miss my Xterra greatly! Bought a new 2016 Jeep Renegade but have been so disappointed in it that I am looking for a used Xterra!!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 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 out of 5 stars

2008 Xterra Experience

suzuski, 10/03/2013
updated 10/09/2017
2013 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
37 of 39 people found this review helpful

Bought an 18' runabout w/ trailer so traded-in a 2004 RAV4 for a used (14kmi) Xterra in 2008. Couldn't be happier. Plenty of power and tows very well. Mileage? Average 19mpg with 16 the lowest and 24 the highest. Very practical load carrying. RAV4 very noisy. When I rep laced the tires I didn't care about longevity and asked for the quietest tires available. The Xterra has very little road noise. Interior is basic with little gingerbread, thus no trim to fall off or rattle. I'm a Zen kind of guy and wish to keep things simple. There is only 63000 miles on it but when it comes time to buy a new car I'll seriously consider another Xterra (assuming Nissan stills builds them). Sold the Xterra in August of 2017 and immediately regretted it but after over 8 years of ownership it was time. It had just over 100k miles on it. Excellent exterior finish and the durable interior fabrics were close to new. Even though Nissan no longer produces them I still briefly considered buying a later model, but chose instead to buy a new car of another make. The Xterra was just the right car for me at the time and would buy one again under the same circumstances.

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

PRO-4X is awesome

outdoorzman, 01/03/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
26 of 27 people found this review helpful

I picked the PRO-4X model and it's awesome. It's rugged and capable without sacrificing practibility. The V6 is very strong and the ride is very smooth. It has lots of little cubby holes and nets for storage. I like the fabric of the interior as well as the material in the rear cargo area. It should be very easy to clean. The top rack is very nice and it's also got a little storage area up there as well. The mileage isn't great and the back seats could be easier to get in and out of but it's an off-road SUV and I really didn't expect it to be any different. I picked this vehicle over the FJ because it was more practical for my needs. Take a look and I promise you will like it.

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4 out of 5 stars

Decent bang for your buck

Granite Gargoyle, 04/15/2016
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Very dependable mechanically and holds it's resale value well.

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

Traditional Midsize SUV

creepers, 10/02/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful

If you like the traditional SUV then you will love the 2011 Pro-4X. 4.0 liter V6 is high output engine is more than enough power. Great ride with they Bilstein performance shocks. Good looking tires (had the car a month - do not know how the tires will wear yet). Traditional SUV exterior styling. Leather seats are super comfortable. Rockford Fosgate head unit sounds great. The auxillary interface is nice. The IPOD interface is also a major plus. Nice big side back windows. Looked at a new FJ and used H3 but decided agains because the size and or lack of windows.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

One of the last traditional midsized SUVs

zweibel, 09/23/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

The Xterra PRO-4X is large enough for a family of four (although not long-legged teenagers in the back seats), but small enough to maneuver around town and offroad. It is powerful enough to easily tow my 2,000 lb boat at 75mph or climb Colorado mountain passes while fully loaded. I bought it because I wanted a midsized SUV with genuine offroad capability and decent performance on paved roads. My last two vehicles were overloaded with technology and too fragile for my tastes. Like the ads used to say, it has everything you need and nothing you don't.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

I am very pleased with the Xterra so far.

johnwaynext, 09/08/2012
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

I have only had my Pro 4X Xterra for a few days but so far so good. I bought it for $5300 off list over Labor Day at Bommarito Nissan in Hazelwood, MO. Nissan had some great incentives then. The Xterra drives great, smooth on the highway and solid when I go off road. Fit and finish seem to be good. I like the leather seats. The upgraded sound system is wonderful, much better than the one found on the S and X models. Too early to tell about gas mileage. It will probably be comparable to my 98 GMC Jimmy at around 18 overall. I considered going to a car based CUV for better mileage but none of those seemed to be up to the capabilities of the Xterra. I will write updates regularly.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Great SUV with crappy tires

vjx, 08/16/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
20 of 22 people found this review helpful

Love everything about the Xterra except the tires. First time 4 wheeling lost a tire. Can't understand why they put jelly bean tires on an otherwise rugged SUV. Soft tires also contribute to poor gas mileage. If you can afford it, switch the tires out ASAP.

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5 out of 5 stars

What a pleasant surprise!

77 going on 45, 07/17/2018
2013 Nissan Xterra X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

A senior, 77, looking for the right mix of comfort, convenience, utility & economy with less gadgetry than most; the xTerra turned out to be a perfect combo. A retired vet, my first ever non US car, totally impressed and sorry to say, shame on US car mfgrs.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

In love

prosha28, 09/16/2012
2012 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful

I have had my xterra for about 2 weeks (1000 miles now) and so far it has been a great vehicle. I sold my 2012 camaro because I wanted something simple and less extravagant. Plus, the camaro was giving me a headache of problems and I wanted to make the switch back to import. The gas mileage of the xterra is just ok, being able to take it on recreational trips will make up for this in the long run. Also, it feels solid and very secure to the road which I like, while being able to sit up high and in a comfortable position. I love how it rides like a truck, but does not knock you around too much.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

It's not your soccer mom's SUV.

Samantha Edwards, 02/20/2015
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Got the Pro-4X with leather package. Has Sirius/XM, Fosgate stereo with iPod and AUX and the Utilitrack in the cargo area for tying stuff down to keep it from sliding. I didn't want a SUV look-alike that seemed tough on pavement but caved under the pressure of an off-road situation. The first weekend I had my X, we took it off-roading in Big South Fork and at one point got it almost completely on it's side.. but after flipping a few switches, she pulled out like a champ and was none the worse for wear. Not sure why people are knocking the tires. The BFG Rugged Trails have worked fine for me. Just put on my second set at 53k miles. Add a Weathertech cargo mat and it's great for dogs!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

my wife and I love it

cottonchopper, 12/08/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I'm 60 years old and have owned lots of other vehicles this is the best/ It can "Do It All". Great in the mountains / rides and handles great /tows our boat no problem/ lots of room/fun to drive /we go everywhere in it. Only regret is I did not buy one years ago. we have 2011 xterra S 2wd and it goes every where we want to go /I can only imagine what a 4x4 is like.

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5 out of 5 stars

This is one great car!!

Gary tate, 04/06/2016
2013 Nissan Xterra X 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

I'm not sure what happened to the vehicle in the review that went thru the car wash but this is my second XTerra. First one 2001 and I put 165,000 miles on it in 10 years...the only major repair exhaust manifold ($750) and a clutch slave repair ($500) In Nov 2014 because I heard Nissan was going to eliminate the XTerra I bought a new one - v6 6-speed manual transmission. This thing has sports car performance - speed limit in Colorado is 75...you can downshift from 6th to 5th at 75 with no problems. Off-road and in the snow an XTerra competes with the best of them. I now have 32k on it with no repairs, no maintenance other than oil changes. Solid road car which we drive from Denver to Santa Fe and Taos about twice a year including a long trip to Arkansas. Gas mileage where additives are not present (OK, AR, etc) gets 22-24.

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

This is my 2nd Xterra

shoodoobee, 06/06/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful

I traded in my 2001 Xterra XE with 108k miles for 2011 Xterra SE about 1 month ago. This is a solid, safe SUV. The 2011 is very comfy, but there are some things I wish it had for the cost: a temperature gauge, a decent stereo, carpeted cargo area (otherwise EVERYTHING slides around), power seats, multi-CD changer, Sirius radio, and - better/different interior upholstery and plastic. Even a drop water stains these seats. It didn't on the 2001, but it does on the 2011. And the plastic console collects every piece of dust because it has a softer material. It really is annoying how much it collects and retains dust, hair, etc. Drive-wise, it's solid, fairly quiet, and does well in the mountains.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Love it!

offroads11, 06/25/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

the 2011 Nissan Xterra S is our first Nissan. As far as brand we will never buy outside Nissan. The Xterra is a true SUV. Handles great off road and on long road trips. We love the outside design as well as the interior. For the price it is a great buy!!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great Off-Road truck

2k11pro4x, 06/23/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Since I started driving AWD and 4x4 I can't really go back to 2WD cars anymore. Living in Canada having AWD or 4x4 is almost a must. Compare to my previous SUV this is my favorite thus far, however the Xterra does have it draw back which is the horrible gas mileage. This truck is not an ideal vehicle to use for daily commuter, because the best I've got is 15MPG. On a full tank (from full until the light goes on) I only get 242 miles city driving. On highway though, it is smooth, powerful, and comfortable for the long haul. I'm averaging 21MPG on highway. The capability for off roading is great, it can make any condition (almost), but in deep mud I got stuck but then again any stock would.

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4 out of 5 stars

Well worth the money

Todd Van, 12/04/2015
2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Review This is my first Xterra and love it. This is a solid, safe SUV. The 2011 is very comfy, but there is something I wish it had, carpeted cargo area (otherwise EVERYTHING slides around) I bought it with power seats, multi-CD changer, Sirius radio, and leather, the Rockford Fosgate stereo is great, and I added a ipod plug to complete it. The plastic console collects every piece of dust because it has a softer material. I my X to the mountains and give it a serious workout and it performs great. I have locking differentals, roof rack, and heavy duty bumpers and they all work great. I've towed my 4K toyhauler around, but wouldn't recommend doing this in the mountains. The mileage is 10 to 14 in town and 15 to 17 on the hwy, not bad for 4 wheel drive. These are real numbers by dividing gallons into mileage. The few things I've done to my truck is add, HD bumper front and rear, air bags in rear, Ipod plug, led light bar on bumper and winch. I have used everything quite a bit too. If you want a SUV that does it all this is the one.

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

Solid Truck, lacks features, it is what it is though.

skrillax, 12/29/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

I bought the 2011 Xterra about 6 months ago. Its a very solid truck, tons of power, great torque, havent had the time to get down in the snow but it seems to carry itself well through all other weather situations. It definitely lacks some features for a 2011 model, suck as an AV input or a USB input. The stereo system isnt as bad as people say, just change the head unit and it sounds fine. Interior could use some better materials, but its a Utility / Off Road built truck, its good for what its built for. Get a Pathfinder if you want luxury.

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4 out of 5 stars

Two years and 50K miles later, still satisfied

TXlawman, 12/27/2017
2012 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Jack of all trades, master of none; but better than a master of one. Such is the Xterra. Bought it two years ago with 68K miles and put it through a lot, and I still only need to change the oil and rotate the tires at 110K. It looks absolutely awesome, I get compliments all the time. Gas mileage is decent for what it is, I pull down right around 20mpg overall at about 70% highway/30% city. Power is awesome, this thing really has guts. It’s responsive without being overpowering, really manages the weight of the truck with ease. Sounds great, love to crank the engine and listen to it run. I really would’ve liked more features; I don’t even have an aux input in my S model, so I have to wear headphones to listen to music from my phone, but I can live with that. Ride comfort is average, but it’s not a Cadillac. I’m 6’3” 235 lbs and I fit fine, plenty of headroom and legroom. Overall could be better, but I’m still happy with my purchase.

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5 out of 5 stars

X gon' give it to yuh

Matty, 11/14/2017
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

My wife and I were looking for a 5 seater 4x4 truck with good reliability for a great price. The xterra is easily the best value in that sector. After 2010 the SMOD issue and timing chain issue was fixed and the xterras are very reliable as a result. We love the unique styling, utilitarian interior (it's nothing fancy at all) and decent power. The 280ft-lb of torque are available within the first 1/4" of gas pedal movement making this thing feel very peppy. I wish the interior was a little nicer and I hope the car can hold up to the salt roads here in Mass but for the price it can't be beat. We're getting 19MPG consistently which is good enough for me.

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

Very Dependable.

Mike Andriszak, 04/09/2023
2013 Nissan Xterra X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

This is by far the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. No issues in nearly 7 years of ownership. The X i had was an '03 and it was ok. Kept it for 13 years. I'd keep buying them if they still were making them.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 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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4.75 out of 5 stars

A Great Car For Anyone

olaf_c, 10/30/2013
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful

I bought a 2012 xterra pro-4x with about 9k miles on it about 4 months ago. So far the car is extremely reliable, fun to drive and looks good. The only thing I do not like about the car is the cheap interior but even then it is made up for with comfortable leather seats and a great stereo. I also take it off roading and it is extremely good. Other jeeps can barely keep up with it. If you don't have fun in this car then you haven't been off-roading in it.

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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

92k and going strong

MTK XTERRA, 07/28/2018
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Purchased new 08/12. 6 Speed manual. Fun to drive , great off road , lots of room in the back when seats are folded down, great truck for fishing ( love the roof cargo box) ,lots of power and great in the snow . The things I don’t like ..... very bumpy ride , poor gas Mileage (even with a stick, 15 city 17 highway ), interior is plain and starting to rattle , seats are cloth and are starting to wear , seats aren’t the best for long rides , not the best in the rain and it’s got rust spots in the rear bumper and roof . Overall it’s been a great truck for me . I haul a lot of stuff daily and it’s got the room and power. I’ve changed oil every 5k with Mobil 1. 3 rd set of tires, spark plugs , brakes rotors rear hatch shocks brake pedal and clutch pedal rubber shoes, 3 rd battery , new headlight bulbs , transfer case oil , rear bearings and cabin/motor air filters . For the money great truck !!!!

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 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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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
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Love It!

Karen, 03/11/2019
2013 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I love my X-Terra. It gets good mileage both on and off the Highway. It will fit 5 but the back is not comfortable for long trips with 3 people in the back.

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

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.

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

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

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

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).

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Horrible Experience

kevin170, 08/16/2013
2013 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
53 of 101 people found this review helpful

A month after I bought an Xterra, I took it through the car wash and water came through the roof. I took it in to get serviced and it ended up needing a major repair to the roof. Nissan ended up offering to repurchase the vehicle per the terms of the CO lemon law. They subtracted $945 for usage which I thought was a lot for 2 months of driving. They also refused to refund a few items on the purchase agreement saying they were “non Nissan” items. The arbitrations woman, Denise C., claimed that Nissan and the dealership were different entities and was very rude and difficult throughout the process of me trying to recoup my money.

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3 out of 5 stars

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

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

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.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Does it all for me

sanlee, 03/25/2012
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
16 of 35 people found this review helpful

I've had alot of vehicles in my driving life. Mustang GT, Maxima, alot of Nissan trucks, and this is my second Xterra. One vehicle can't do everything, but this does everything I need right now. I need 4WD for winter commutes, getting to the back of the woods, and job sites. The back cargo area is for the dog, the rear seats for gear or occasional passengers. The 6-speed manual and 260hp is for me. I have the PRO 4X and and Bilstein shocks make a BIG difference in handling and ride. Love 'em. With my 07 auto Xterra I never could get better than 19 mpg, and it was rare. With the manual I'm getting 20.5 mpg.

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5 out of 5 stars

2011 Xterra S, you won't be disappointed

One Trick Pony, 10/24/2010
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
14 of 32 people found this review helpful

I've never written a review before but have read others and found them helpful. Because of other positive reviews I purchased my 2011 S model and what a GREAT vehicle. The Xterra rides great, its very quiet,the performance of the 4.0 engine and trans is impressive. I drive approx. 100 miles per day and I'm getting almost 20 mpg on the button. The brake pedal is a little spongy but not a big deal. Even the base radio isn't disappointing to listen to. I do wish they made the upgraded radio an option with the 6 disc changer for the S model. I also drive a new 2010 loaded F-150 Platinum as my tow vehicle. I've owned BMW, Porsche, Acura, Corvette's, Shelby's etc. and the Xterra will be a keeper.

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5 out of 5 stars

Old-school real SUV at a great value

Drew, 08/16/2024
2012 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My review says it all. I had a 2019 4Runner and 19 GX460 in the stable for the past few years and loved them both. Lets just be honest... they are the kings of quality and resale value. Now back to business. I realized I could get a 70k low mileage Xterra model S for half, if not 1/3 of the Toyota similar model. The truth though is the Xterra just is a lot funner to drive. It's slightly smaller, but feels much more nimble. It's still solid and well built, so a long highway trip at 80 mph is no issue. I have the S model and it could easily go beyond the GX and keep up with the 4Runner TRD. This was a great year for the Xterra and you can easily get 250k miles out of this engine and even transmission. The earlier models 2010 and below had serious automatic transmission problems. They also had timing chain related issues from poor quality parts on earlier ones. But 2012 worked all the issues out of it and was at it's best this year. The storage compartments are much better. But the interior is very basic, easy to clean, and decent comfort. The 4Runner and obviously GX are a lot nicer interiors but the Xterra interior is also built to last.

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5 out of 5 stars

Reasonably priced and checks all my boxes...!!!

Cactus Jack, 10/12/2024
2013 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I needed a small tow vehicle with a frame. For towing a small boat or small camper. I love this little truck...!!!

Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 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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1 out of 5 stars

Terrible vehicle, would not recommend

Joe, 04/04/2017
2013 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 19 people found this review helpful

Purchased to replace my 2004 Discovery. Only good thing I can say about is it looks cool. Worst handling in snow I've ever experienced. Nissan dealership in Aurora, Co was overpriced. Definitely got ripped off on this certified POS. Do yourself a favor and spend the money to get a 4Runner. Interior is uncomfortable, seats feel cheap and flat, lots of creeks and vibrations from parts that sound like they're about to fail, but are certified "good" by mechanic. Absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned. Will never consider a Nissan again.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Great SUV, good value, poor stereo

tomportland, 04/11/2011
2011 Nissan Xterra S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Good, strong SUV. Engine has great performance. Mileage within expected range. Was able to get it for about $5000 under sticker. Stereo is low quality. Sound is horrible--which explains the lack of an Aux input even in the S"S model.

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5 out of 5 stars

Donald Scott

Donald J.Scott, 02/04/2017
2013 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful

I use to own a 2002 it was nice until it got stolen miss my baby blue now i am trying to get anther i really in joy them great on gas an easy to handel.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
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2.75 out of 5 stars

i should of kept my edge

narcissa1, 05/04/2013
2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 22 people found this review helpful

i wanted a four wheel drive to get around iowa's back roads during the winter with all the room of an suv could offer more then my 08 edge. i like my exterra except the fact that when im on the roads on windy days i seem to blow as much as semis do cause of the height of the truck. i was thought i could get over not being able to get powered seats, navigation in the dash, or tvs in the head rests but i cant. for the final price of all the options i could get added i wish they would of allowed or gave the choice of those three other options. im suprised nissan wouldnt give you that unless you want a murano, just really bummed over limited options

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