Against 418 other V6 cars rated 2013–2015, the Xterra trails their 21.6 mpg average by 3.6 mpg, about $355 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2000, the 2.4L 4-cyl (2000–2004), does 19 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.3L 6-cyl (2000–2004), 16.4: $320 a year apart.
Every Nissan Xterra engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 17 / 22.2 | 2000–2004 | $2,021 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 15.6 / 21 | 2005–2015 | $2,182 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 14.6 / 18.8 | 2000–2004 | $2,341 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Subaru Outback gets 24.3 mpg, the Cadillac SRX 19 mpg and the Volkswagen Touareg 22.4 mpg, next to 18 mpg for the 2015 Xterra. The Xterra costs the most of them to run: $553 a year more than the Subaru Outback.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2015) | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2013–2015 | +$355 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,536 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2015 Nissan Xterra gives up 6 mpg in town: 22 on the highway against 16 in the city, $655 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2015) | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22 mpg | $1,745 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Xterra changed over the years
The Xterra peaked in 2015 at 18 mpg (16 city, 22 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2008 at 17 — 1 mpg apart, or $126 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2014 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2013 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2012 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2011 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2006 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2005 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 16 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 16 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2001 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2000 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 21 EPA ratings of the Nissan Xterra — 3 engines across 2000–2015. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,536. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2015 Nissan Xterra get?
18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2000 the Xterra has averaged 17.7 mpg.
Is the 2015 Xterra more efficient than the 2014?
About the same: 18 against 18 mpg combined.
Which Xterra year has the best gas mileage?
The 2015, at 18 mpg combined (16 city, 22 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Xterra get better gas mileage than the Subaru Outback?
No: 18 mpg for the 2015 Xterra against 24.3 for the 2016 Subaru Outback, about $553 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.