2005 Nissan Xterra Review

Specifications

Bigger, Better and More Refined

Lets flash back to the year 1999. The vehicle is the newly introduced Nissan Xterra. The target market is not your average SUV driver. Now flash forward to the year 2005. The vehicle is the redesigned and revamped, popular-selling Nissan Xterra. The market is still definitely not your average SUV driver. Why? Because as natural selection would have it, its out with the old, and in with the way better.

The Xterras rugged but stylish exterior has been pumped up for the 2005 model year, now built on a version of the Titan pickup trucks fully-boxed frame and featuring design cues from the original mixed in with the brands new tougher truck image.

Its fender flares are now extra wide and completely integrated into the overall structure. Made of high-carbon steel, they are not only durable but are also not glued on as a separate piece, which helps to protect the exterior finish and enhances the rugged appearance.

Once again the Xterra includes an aluminum roof rack complete with an integrated basket for storing items such as soaking-wet towels, booties, clothing or anything that is covered in various liquids or grimes. In addition, the new latched lid on the covered box is designed to stay open even in windy conditions, and is detachable so bigger and bulkier items can be stored inside. And to make it easier to access the roof rack and the roof area, a set of rear bumper steps is located on both sides of the vehicle.

Inside, the Xterra is pretty cool and very comfy. The cloth seating surfaces are upholstered with a durable, yet plush, material optimizing comfort in the front and rear seats. Speaking of the rear seats, the tough Nissan has a stadium seating set-up similar to the Honda Element, Land Rover LR3, Jeep Liberty and others in this category. Rear passengers are elevated to provide an unobstructed view of the road ahead. There are also four 12-volt DC power outlets for various electronic devices one might use on a road trip or while roughing it in the bush.

But its hardly roughing it if youve got a couple of kids in the back seat playing Game Boys, or perhaps even an automotive journalist working on a review with her laptop plugged in, just for a change of scenery. And it cant be seen as the simple back-country life if theres an amazing Rockford-Fosgate stereo system pumping out tunes for all the flora and fauna to enjoy.

For an SUV, this audio system is serious business, one of the best and one of my favorites in the compact sport utility class. The 380-watt, AM/FM/6-disc CD changer with nine high-performance speakers, an eight-inch subwoofer, steering-wheel-mounted controls, MP3 capability, and speed-sensitive audio controls is all that, and then some. Sound quality is great and it is, for the lack of a more professional and sophisticated word, a “pimp” system. Sometimes a little colloquialism describes it best.

In all honesty, roughing it in the Xterra was, for me, traveling down an old, long and dirty gravel logging road to an area where mountain bikers take to the trails at the local demonstration forest. I really wanted to take my all-terrain sport ute off-road to test out the four-wheel drive system with switch-operated two-speed transfer case. After all, this is the Off-Road edition, and it comes with more than just a transfer case.

Because my Xterra came with the optional Off-Road Automatic Transmission Package ($1,200), such amenities as Hill Descent Control (HDC), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and electronic locking rear differential were also added to enhance the stock models bush bashing skills. There is also a set of skid plates located on the bottom of the radiator, oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case to prevent and/or lessen damage that can be incurred during trail sessions.

While I was on the gravel road, I decided to test out the four-wheel drive system. Not being the most fluent with off-roading vehicles, I referred to the owners manual on how to properly play with the transfer case. Swapping between rear-wheel drive and 4WD is easy, with just a flick of a switch. Shifting into 4-Low, the vehicle must be in neutral and stationary, just like the Kia Sorento, Jeep Liberty and the few others that offer true 4×4 capability. Although I was previously familiar with how to change transfer case settings, it never hurts to double-check with the owners manual just in case.

Unfortunately, my avid and experienced off-roading friend was
out of town the week I had my x-treme Xterra. Just my luck. But in retrospect, although it is fully equipped and ready to take to the trails at the flick of a switch, literally, many SUV owners rarely leave the concrete jungle for the real thing. But when nature calls, its worth answering.

As for mostly being a city SUV while in my hands, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Xterra. As mentioned, it came with the optional five-speed automatic transmission, which is connected to Nissans 4.0-liter, 24-valve, DOHC V6 engine which produces 265-horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 284 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, the only engine available.

The upgraded engine was much needed, compared to the previous 3.3-liter, SOHC V6 with 180-horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque. The extra power and torque make it not only a powerful and capable off-roader, but a potent and pleasurable city vehicle. In addition, the front independent double-wishbone and rear multi-leaf with solid axle suspension creates a best-of-both-worlds situation whether on or off the pavement.

Driving the Xterra is not a chore. It might be a bit of a beast to park, but it has a comfortable ride. Handling on the streets and highways is decent for a fully capable off-roading vehicle. It is stable at highway speeds and manouvers well in corners. The combination of (here comes a colloquialism again) “phat” tires such as the P265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail rubber and “sweet” four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) makes for an exceptional stopping-and-going pairing.

I dont have too many beefs with the Xterra. Although its fuel consumption is 16 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway, such is expected with an engine displacing four liters, plus the SUVs hefty curb weight of 4,356 lbs.

Visibility is sufficient enough to be able to parallel park without pulling my hair out or continuously getting in and out to see how much or little room I have behind or in front of me. The biggest quibble I had was getting in and out stylishly without the benefit of running boards (which are available on the SE model).

Picture this: a female of average height in a form-fitting skirt suit,
without a kick pleat in the back, trying to climb into the Xterra. Yes, it was a little challenging at times, especially when I was in my suit heading to meetings, but I survived. Im surprised I didnt rip more stockings than I did. But when I was in my regular sweatsuit attire, there was no problem climbing in and out.

Whether its off to meetings or off to the trails, the 2005 Nissan Xterra Off-Road Edition takes you there in style and with a kickin stereo system. Its rugged, capable, good-looking and nicely endowed with a bigger and better engine. If only I could find a man like that.