Nissan Xterra

"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
Second-generation 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)

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 and many of its major exterior parts from the front doors forward with the Nissan (D22) Frontier pickup[1] – and the second (2005–2015) sharing the Nissan F-Alpha platform with the Frontier and Pathfinder.

Sporting a name licensed from the XTERRA off-road triathlon race series,[2] the vehicle was positioned by Nissan[3] as functional and reliable outdoor gear, epitomized by its marketing tagline “Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t.” [4]

It was developed in La Jolla, California,[5] by Nissan Design International (NDI)'s (now Nissan Design America) then Director of Design Tom Semple,[6] and became 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]

While the two Xterra generations differed significantly, both prioritized ruggedness, practicality, and affordability over luxury.[9] Traditional body-on-frame construction and underbody skid plates reflected both its truck heritage and off-road capability.[10] Throughout its lifetime the Xterra used a two-box design with a prominent two-tiered roof enabling second row stadium seating, C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, asymmetrical rear window, and a distinctive tailgate bump-out for an inside mounted first aid kit. For hauling exterior loads a roof rack with a removable forward gear basket was standard equipment.

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".[11] Jalopnik called it a "knockoff of the Land Rover Discovery".[12] The Washington Post described it as "rugged without bravado".[10]

First generation manufacture took place at Nissan's Decherd, Tennessee Plant (engines) and Smyrna Assembly plant (final assembly). Second generation Xterras were manufactured at the company's Canton, Mississippi plant (final assembly). Variants were also manufactured in Brazil and China.

  1. ^ a b Glover, Mark (February 11, 2000). "Nissan sport-ute designed for what people do with the vehicle". The Sacramento Bee.
  2. ^ Zimmerman, Malia (November 15, 1998). "Nissan names SUV after Maui triathlon". Pacific Business News. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  3. ^ "2001 Effie Awards". Effie.org. 2001 United States Automotive - Vehicles. Grand prize: Nissan Xterra Launch Campaign. Agency: TBWA\Chiat\Day
  4. ^ Stinsmuehlen, Jason. "Nissan Xterra Case Study". Behance.net.
  5. ^ "2002 Nissan Xterra Press Kit: Overview". Nissan-global.com. November 10, 2006. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. 2001The Xterra was developed in 1999 at (then) Nissan Design International in California.
  6. ^ "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.
  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". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Nissan Xterra Used SUV Buyer's Guide". Autobytel.
  10. ^ a b Brown, Warren (May 9, 1999). "Nissan Xterra". The Washington Post.
  11. ^ "Media Talk About Nissan Xterra, Named 2000 North American Truck of the Year". Nissan-global.com. January 12, 2000.
  12. ^ Collins, Andrew P. (March 16, 2017). "A Nissan Xterra Is The Most Underrated Cheap 4x4 Right Now". Jalopnik.