The Nissan Xterra is a SUV built from 2000 to 2015 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 99.7% of those on record. Between 2000 and 2016 it grew 1 cm longer and gained 116 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Xterra is
The Nissan Xterra is a SUV that Nissan built from 2000 to 2015 — 16 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2005. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Nissan range: Rogue, GT-R, Altima.
Where the Xterra is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 2,525 Xterras on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 5N1 | 2000-2015 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Nissan VIN decide which of these 2 lines your Xterra belongs to. What every character in a Xterra VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Nissan Xterra adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
Xterra generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Xterra's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Xterra that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-2004 | 452 cm | 265 cm | 1857 kg | - | - |
| 2005-2016 | 453 cm | 270 cm | 1973 kg | +1 cm | +116 kg |
Between 2000 and 2016 the Xterra gained 1 cm in length (+0.2%) and 116 kg in weight (+6.2%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Xterra that is 116 kg against 1 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Nissan Xterra tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Xterra owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Nissan Xterra have? Power & range
The Nissan Xterra is offered with 2 powertrains — 4L 6-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Nissan Xterra, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 4.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Nissan Xterra tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Nissan Xterra is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Xterra's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The Xterra by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Nissan Xterra. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Xterra | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 64 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 3,142 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $1,018/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 755 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Nissan Xterra?
The Xterra is a SUV, built from 2000 to 2015 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6.
Where is the Nissan Xterra made?
Across 2,525 cars in our records the split is: the United States (99.7%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Xterra have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2005. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Xterra grew 1 cm longer and gained 116 kg.
What is the Nissan Xterra warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Xterra reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Xterra?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Nissan
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Rogue | 2008–2026 | 94 | 34 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Nissan GT-R | 2009–2026 | 9 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Nissan Altima | 1993–2026 | 146 | 34 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Nissan Frontier | 1998–2026 | 142 | 22 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 1986–2026 | 149 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Nissan Sentra | 1982–2026 | 158 | 41 mpg | 4.0/5 |
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