Used 2015 Nissan Xterra S for sale 

The Nissan Xterra SUV is offered in three trim levels. It comes with a standard V6 motor and two drivetrain options with low-range gearing for the 4x4 layout. The base X trim starts at a price of $23,660 for the 4x2 layout and offers some basic features that feel adequate for the price. What makes the deal attractive the most is the availability of the 4x4 layout right from the base trim with a reasonable price bump. Stepping up to the S trim sees a whole lot of additional features such as a washable “Easy Clean” cargo area with floor cleats and ceiling hooks, NissanConnect smartphone app integration, and driver seat with height-adjustments and lumbar adjustments. The top-end PRO-4X trim is purely for hardcore off-roading and gets off-roading specific upgrades such as electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, roof-mounted off-road lights, and alloy wheels with off-road tires.

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If your requirements are basic and you’re on a tight budget, we would suggest you go for the base X trim with the 4x4 layout. Or else, the S trim makes an extremely value for money option. The top-end PRO-4X trim is best suited for serious off-roading.

The Nissan Xterra SUV is powered by a standard 4.0liter VQ40DE V6 motor that has been carried over from the previous year. The motor is tuned to produce a maximum of 261 horsepower and 281lb-ft of torque. The powertrain is smooth as per the rugged SUV standard and delivers all its power in a linear manner. The motor’s excellent torque makes it quite off-road friendly when equipped with the low-range transfer-case along with the 4x4 layout. Around the city, the motor remains relaxed and doesn’t struggle much to pick up the pace even under a full load. The on-road handling is where the SUV struggles and high-speed maneuvers are a strict no-no with this vehicle. The 5-speed manual gearbox feels smooth and slots into gear with little effort. The motor can propel the SUV to 60mph from a standstill within 7.7 seconds which is about average for a mid-size SUV.

The Jeep Wrangler has significantly more power output than the Xterra but falls short when it comes to torque output. The Toyota 4Runner has a similar powertrain to the Xterra but delivers considerably more power and a slightly lower torque figure than the Nissan Xterra.

Off-roading vehicles tend to be gas-guzzlers and the Nissan Xterra is no different. The SUV has a city mileage rating of a mere 16mpg while the highway mileage is rated at 22mpg. The combined mileage is rated at 18mpg.

The Jeep Wrangler has almost similar mileage figures to the Xterra with a slightly better city mileage. The Wrangler comes with a smaller gas tank as well that limits its overall driving range. The Toyota 4Runner has a similar city mileage to the Jeep Wrangler and a similar highway mileage to the Xterra. It comes with the biggest gas tank among the three on the list and offers a somewhat generous overall driving range.

The Nissan Xterra’s ruggedness is found in abundance inside the cabin of the vehicle with a rough and ready-to-go attitude. The extensive use of hard plastics is not quite appealing but it makes for a practical approach like making it easy to clean the cabin after getting it dirty with plenty of outdoor and off-road activities. The SUV can be a friendly cargo carrier too with its additional enhancements such as an Easy Clean cargo area with tie-down cleats and ceiling hooks.

There is also a storage box under the load floor that allows storing of some handy equipment such as a first-aid kit. The cargo capacity is excellent at 36.3 cu-ft while it can be further increased to 65.7 cu-ft. The front seats have a fold-flat feature that allows storing long items with the rear liftgate closed. The front seats offer a decent level of comfort with cloth upholstery but the tilt-only feature of the steering rack makes it hard to find a comfortable driving position always. The rear seats get the job done and can carry three people with reasonable comfort.

The Jeep Wrangler has a similarly practical cabin as the Xterra but can seat only four passengers at a time. Its comfort levels are at par with other off-road-focused SUVs. The Toyota 4Runner has a slightly better cabin with better comfort and features inside the cabin.

Infotainment

The infotainment system of the Nissan Xterra is quite decent for a budget off-roader. The system comes with a 5-inch display and has NissanConenct smartphone app integration that includes hands-free text messaging, Facebook, Pandora, iHeartRadio connectivity along with iPod/USB interface, Bluetooth streaming audio, and satellite radio. The PRO-4X trim offers a premium nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system and a navigation system.

Highlighted features of the infotainment system of the SUV are:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• NissanConnect smartphone app integration
• 5-inch display screen
• Satellite radio
• Premium 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system

The Nissan Xterra looks like a no-nonsense rugged SUV from the outside and avoids any impractical design bits to retain its purpose. The front-end looks tough with a big front grille and tough plastic bumpers while the side profile looks more rigged with a rather slim design with sculpted-out wheel arches and big wheel wells.

The rear end will remind you of the Land Rover LR4 SUV with an almost identical liftgate design. The ground clearance is exceptional at 9.5inches and allows for some extreme off-roading sessions.

The Jeep Wrangler carries the traditional styling of Jeep and has an equally appealing rugged look with a towering 10.5 inch of ground clearance. The Toyota 4Runner is the beefiest SUV on the list with sizable exterior proportions and a dominating road presence.

The 2015 Nissan Xterra has not yet been rated by the NHTSA but carries some good safety ratings from the IIHS. The IIHS gave the SUV its highest possible rating of “Good” thereby establishing its safety aspect. The SUV comes with some standard safety aids that include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags. The Pro-4X trim is equipped with the hill-descent control and hill-start assist.

Highlighted safety features of the SUV are:

• Electronic Stability Control
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control
• Hill descent control
• Hill-start assist
• Anti-lock brakes

The Nissan Xterra offers an excellent value-for-money package at an affordable price bracket and is aimed at providing excellent off-roading prowess. The lackluster fuel economy might be a downside of the vehicle, otherwise, it is a brilliant off-roader with a practical cabin and plenty of storage space along with a powerful V6 motor.