Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra is a truck-based compact SUV manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1999–2015 across two generations; the first (1999–2004) sharing a platform as well as front bumper, hood, A-pillar, windshield and front doors with the Nissan Frontier pickup[1] – and the second (2005–2015) also sharing its platform with the Frontier and Pathfinder.

"Xterra" redirects here. For the competition, see XTERRA Triathlon.
"Nissan X-Terra" redirects here. For the SUV sold in the Middle East with the same name since 2020, see Nissan Terra.
Nissan Xterra
2005–2008 Nissan Xterra
Overview
ManufacturerNissan
Also calledNissan Paladin (China)
Nissan Roniz (Iran)
Dongfeng Oting (China)
Production1999–2015
2003–2015 (China)
Body and chassis
ClassCompact SUV
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Chronology
SuccessorNissan Rogue
Nissan Murano
Nissan Terra (China)

While the two Xterra generations differed significantly, both prioritized ruggedness and affordability over luxury[2] and used body-on-frame construction along with underbody skid plates.[3] Both generations also used a two-box design with C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, asymmetrical rear window, tailgate bump-out for a first aid kit accessible from inside – and a prominent two-tiered roof enabling stadium seating in the second row. The stepped roof accommodated a lower, front roof rack with a removable gear basket and a more conventional roof rack at the rear, upper roof.

Nissan licensed the Xterra name from the XTERRA off-road triathlon race series[4] and manufactured the SUV at Nissan's Smyrna Assembly, as well as in Canton, Mississippi. Variants were also manufactured in Brazil and China.

Styled by NDI Director of Design Tom Semple[5] and developed at Nissan Design America in La Jolla, California,[6] the Xterra was the first Nissan vehicle completely conceived, developed and manufactured in the United States.[7] According to Jerry Hirshberg, president of Nissan Design International (NDI), "the impetus for Xterra designers was to create an affordable, rugged, quality piece of equipment".[1] He later described it as "a garage tool that says, 'treat me rough' – it's designed to look better dirty than clean."[8]

Road & Track described the Xterra as "an honest SUV that doesn't try to be a luxury car alternative, nor tries to hide its truck underpinnings".[9] Jalopnik called it a "knockoff of the Land Rover Discovery".[10] The Washington Post described it as "rugged without bravado".[3] The second generation Nissan Xterra is a part of the Santa Fe Police and Dubai Police's fleet of patrol cars.

First generation (WD22; 1999)
First generation (WD22)
Overview
Also calledNissan Paladin (China)
Nissan Roniz (Iran)
ProductionApril 19, 1999[11] – 2004 (United States)
1999–2009 (Iran)
2003–2007 (Brazil)
2003–2015 (China)
Assembly
DesignerDiane Allen (1996)[12]
Tom Semple[5] with Robert Bauer
Body and chassis
RelatedNissan Frontier (D22)
Nissan Pathfinder (R50)
Powertrain
EngineGasoline:
2.4 L KA24DE 143 hp (107 kW) I4
3.3 L VG33E 170 hp (130 kW) V6
3.3 L VG33E 180 hp (130 kW) V6
3.3 L supercharged VG33ER 210 hp (160 kW) V6
Diesel:
2.8 L TDI 4.07TCA 132 hp (98 kW) I4
2.8 L TDI CRD 4.07TCE 140 hp (100 kW) I4
Transmission4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length4,522 mm (178.0 in)
Width1,788 mm (70.4 in)
Height1,834–1,879 mm (72.2–74.0 in)

The Xterra was introduced in North America in the 2000 model year. In that market, two trim levels were offered during the Xterra's first two years, marketed as XE and SE.

The XE featured a 143 hp (107 kW) KA24DE I4, 5-speed manual transmission, and steel wheels as well as several option packages combining the 170 horsepower 3.3 L VG33E V6 engine with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, as well as roof rack (rated for a load up to 125lbs),[5] side step-rails, and sunroof. The SE featured standard equipment that was optional on an XE. All models featured removable, tab-secured rear seat cushions to accommodate a fold-flat rear seat back. Canadian models from 1999 to 2004 were limited to the VG33E V6 engine with part-time 4WD.

2002 update
2002–2004 Nissan Xterra

With the 1999 Xterra having been developed at Nissan Design America in California,[6] all updates for the 2002 Xterra were executed at Nissan Technical Center-North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan.[6] The facelifted model debuted at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show prominently revised front-end styling with rounded headlights, revised instrument panel, center console, larger glove compartment, pullout rear cup holders and four interior power points, foot-operated pedal parking brake (vs. previous a dash-mounted pull-and-twist parking brake) — and an increase of 10 horsepower for the V6 engine.

The rear differential for all Xterras and Frontiers are H233B with a number of gear ratios offered in both limited slip and open configurations. The most common being 4.636:1 and 4.9:1. Early differentials has a flange style input to the pinion while late 2004 through the end of production had a Spicer yoke style input to the pinion.

The 3.3L VG33E V6 was upgraded to 180 hp (134 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 202 lb⋅ft (274 N⋅m) at 2,800 rpm, with the 210 hp (157 kW) Eaton M62 supercharged VG33ER option carried over from the 2001 Nissan Frontier, producing 246 lb⋅ft (334 N⋅m) of torque for the automatic, and 231 lb⋅ft (313 N⋅m) of torque with 5-speed manual.

For 2003 the front seats received additional adjustability with added lumbar support and in SE models the available 6-disc, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system was replaced by a 6-speaker 300W Rockford Fosgate AM/FM/CD audio system with an 8-inch subwoofer that took up a small portion of the rear storage area. The last of the model year 2004 Xterras were manufactured in January 2005.

Second generation (N50; 2005)
Second generation (N50)
Overview
ProductionJanuary 2005 – 2015
Model years2005–2015
Assembly
Body and chassis
PlatformNissan F-Alpha platform
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Power output265 hp (269 PS; 198 kW)
Transmission5-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,539 mm (178.7 in)
Width1,849 mm (72.8 in)
Height1,902 mm (74.9 in)
Curb weight4,140–4,425 lb

The second generation Xterra debuted at the New York International Auto Show in 2004 using Nissan's F-Alpha platform. Larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, it entered showrooms in early 2005 for the 2005 model year. The standard engine was upgraded to Nissan's 4.0 L VQ40DE variable valve timing V6, producing 261 hp (195 kW).[13][14][15] Early US models include X, S, SE and PRO-4X, with a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions, a choice of part-time 4-wheel drive or 2-wheel drive.[16][17] The M226 rear axle with a Dana 44 differential was standard on all manual transmission equipped models as well as all PRO-4X and off-road models. The PRO-4X and off-road also came standard with an electronic rear locking differential and either hill descent/start control or clutch interlock bypass switch on automatic and manual examples respectively.

2009 update
2009–2012 Nissan Xterra
Santa Fe Nissan Xterra patrol vehicle

The Xterra received a facelift for 2009 (July 2008 production) with more options and colors, leather seats on SE models, new grille and front bumper, silver painted rear bumper and roof rack, and roof mounted lights on off-road models. The last year of the Nissan Xterra in Mexico was 2008. In 2012, production was moved from Smyrna, Tennessee, to Nissan's facility in Canton, Mississippi.


Other changes include:

  • New HVAC controls and standard audio system.
  • Available Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, steering wheel audio controls and sunglass holder (overhead console) on all grade levels, except X model.
  • Removed plastic engine cover.

Other updates
  • Changed name of off-road model to PRO-4X. (2011)
  • An updated NissanConnect with 4.3 or 5.8 inch screen and smartphone integration for iPhone and Android, allowing the user to connect with Pandora, iHeartRadio, Facebook and more. Capabilities include SiriusXM (subscription required, sold separately), streaming audio via Bluetooth, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and audio voice recognition. (2013)
  • New 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs for the S and PRO-4X. (2014)
  • Heated front seats available on PRO-4X. (2014)
  • Available rear backup camera. (2014)

Discontinuation

The Xterra was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2015 model year. Poor fuel economy, declining sales, and mandated upgrades to safety and emissions were cited as reasons.[18][19]

2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X dashboard

Awards and recognition

Production outside North America
Nissan Paladin in China

All Nissan-produced Xterras manufactured outside the U.S. were built in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil until 2007. (Nissan ceased Brazilian production entirely in 2007.) It is built under license by Pars Khodro in Iran as the Nissan Roniz, and in China by Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile as the Nissan Paladin from 2003 to 2013. The Paladin uses the same chassis and running gear as the first generation Nissan Xterra, and the 2.4L KA24DE engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The front end is from the local Pickup. (The second generation Xterra model is only available in North America.) Other difference between the American Xterra and its Chinese counterparts is the parking brake actuator, a pedal with a pull-handle release in America, and a lever in China.

Dongfeng Oting

Dongfeng Motors produced a Chinese version of the Xterra called the Oting from 2007 to 2015. It is based on the first generation of the Xterra. It was available with the 2.4-liter 4G64 and 4G69 or a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

In comparison to pricing, the Chinese market Nissan Paladin was priced at 159,800 to 244,800 RMB (25,264 to US$38,702) while the Oting was priced at 119,800 to 154,800 RMB (18,940 to US$24,473). Trim levels for the Paladin were called the 2WD S, 2WD C, 2WD L, 2WD E, 4WD S, 4WD C, 4WD L and 4WD E.[22] Trim levels for the Oting were called the China III MT L, China III MT E, China III AT L, China IV MT L, China IV MT E, Diesel 2WD and the Diesel 4WD.[23]

  • Dongfeng Oting with Nissan badge
    Dongfeng Oting with Nissan badge
  • Dongfeng Oting
    Dongfeng Oting
  • Dongfeng Oting rear view
    Dongfeng Oting rear view

Successor

Following the Xterra's discontinuation from the U.S. market in 2015, Nissan began testing the D23 Navara-based SUV.[24][25] The SUV, later named Terra, made its debut in Asia in early 2018, and the updated version was released in the Middle East in late 2020 under the "X-Terra" name.

Sales
Calendar year[26] United States[26] Canada[26]
2002 79,779 N/A
2003 67,799 N/A
2004 66,690 1,407
2005 72,447 2,799
2006 62,325 2,183
2007 51,355 1,469
2008 33,579 800
2009 16,455 613
2010 20,523 1,040
2011 18,221 1,258
2012 18,679 931
2013 17,766 1,070
2014 16,505 991
2015 10,672 1,707
2016 38 227
2017 1 –

References
  1. Glover, Mark (February 11, 2000). "Nissan sport-ute designed for what people do with the vehicle". The Sacramento Bee.
  2. "Nissan Xterra Used SUV Buyer's Guide". Autobytel.
  3. Brown, Warren (May 9, 1999). "Nissan Xterra". The Washington Post.
  4. Zimmerman, Malia (November 15, 1998). "Nissan names SUV after Maui triathlon". Pacific Business News. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  5. "2000 Nissan Xterra Press Kit: Overview". Nissannews.com. January 2000. Xterra's body, styled by NDI Director of Design Tom Semple, emphasizes its tough, rugged, muscular look. The front view is anchored by a large, black-finished grille and bumper and rough, angular surface edges. The headlights, front bumper, hood, A-pillars and front doors are common to Frontier.
  6. "2002 Nissan Xterra Press Kit: Overview". Nissan-global.com. November 10, 2006. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  7. Lienert, Paul (May 5, 2000). "Nissan Xterra". The Detroit News. In fact, the Xterra is the first Nissan product totally conceived, developed and built in the United States, and its American heritage shows.
  8. Patton, Phil (June 30, 2000). "AUTOS ON FRIDAY: Design; A Last Chord From Nissan's Rocker-Designer-Spokesman". New York Times.
  9. "Media Talk About Nissan Xterra, Named 2000 North American Truck of the Year". Nissan-global.com. January 12, 2000.
  10. Collins, Andrew P. (March 16, 2017). "A Nissan Xterra Is The Most Underrated Cheap 4x4 Right Now". Jalopnik.
  11. "Nissan Hopes New SUV, Redesigned Cars Give Sales a Lift". Los Angeles Times. 20 April 1999.
  12. "Women Designed SUVs". Archived from the original on 2014-07-12. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  13. "Intro to the 2005 Nissan Xterra - Specs and Features for the All-New Xterra". Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
  14. "Nissan Begins Production of 2005 Xterra". Rockcrawler.Com. 2005-01-07. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  15. "USATODAY.com – Pleasing persona outweighs 2005 Xterra's glitches". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. 2005-01-13. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  16. 2014 Nissan Xterra Press Kit
  17. "2014 Nissan Frontier, Xterra Priced". Archived from the original on 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  18. "Nissan Xterra Discontinued in U.S." edmunds.com. 23 Feb 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  19. "Xtra! Xtra! Nissan Xterra Confirmed to Die After 2015 Model Year". caranddriver.com. 18 Aug 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  20. Cain, Timothy (March 11, 2015). "The Numbers Behind The Nissan Xterra's Demise". The Truth About Cars.
  21. Rock-Hopper 2006 Competition Car and Driver.com, April, 2006. Accessed on June 11, 2007.
  22. "China Auto Web".
  23. "China Auto Web".
  24. Beita-Kiser, Gabe (14 September 2016). "Is This Proof the Nissan Xterra May be Back After All?". CarBuzz.
  25. "Nissan is Prepping One of the Best SUVs the US Will Probably Never Get". 25 May 2016.
  26. "Nissan Xterra Sales Figures". Good Car Bad Car. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Xterra.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.