2001 Nissan Xterra Nissan Xterra 2001 Nissan Xterra XE I4 2WD Mini-Sport Utility Wagon RWD Smyrna, TN SE models come with titanium interior accents as well as a premium audio system boasting 100 watts of peak power and a six-disc in-dash CD changer. New steering-wheel audio controls can be used to operate this system. The rumored 3.3-liter, supercharged V6 is, at this point, MIA, but console yourself with a new color called Gold Rush and restyled 16-inch alloy wheels. Rugged looks and capability to match, excellent brakes, lots of room inside, standard ABS, first-aid kit. Uncomfortable front seats, cheap interior plastics and fabrics, useless sunroof on SE models, weak V6. A so-called mini-SUV doesn't have to be a hybrid compromise, and for proof, look no further than the 2001 Xterra ("terra for the land it crosses and "X" for the generation it intends to target). Although it sits squarely on the large side of the mini-SUV scale, don't be alarmed by the truck's physical size: the price is tiny by comparison. It competes in a hotly contested market, against the likes of the newly introduced Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute twins, along with the already established mini-ute crowd (Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Cherokee and Suzuki Grand Vitara). In this increasingly crowded segment, Xterra must rely less upon its unique niche appeal and more on its value and rugged good looks. Designed at Nissan Design International (NDI), styling is what sells the Xterra. It looks tough, muscular and modern. Taillights form modular, geometric shapes, much like the bulging wheel wells and tailgate first-aid kit storage panel. The cool powder-coated, tubular roof rack comes with adjustable rails for carrying cargo of all shapes and sizes. For smaller items, there's even a plastic cargo tray up front that will hold 30 pounds of odds and ends, but on SE models it blocks the standard glass pop-up sunroof. We only wish stylists would lose the featureless front end for something a little less, uh, featureless. Unlike many of its small SUV competitors, the Xterra is based on a real truck -- Nissan's Frontier compact pickup. Despite its relatively sophisticated double-wishbone front suspension, Xterra makes do with dual leaf-spring rear underpinnings, front disc/rear drum brakes, and slow, numb recirculating-ball steering. The result is a truck that actually drives like a truck -- a rarity in this class and something consumers might not like after the novelty has worn off (it'll take about 500 miles, we'd guess). Big, knobby tires are great for off-roading, but if you spend most of your time on pavement, you'll notice that they grip poorly and squeal plenty. Offered in two trim levels, the Xterra can be purchased as a base XE or sporty SE model with two- or four-wheel drive, a four-cylinder or V6 engine, and a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system is engaged using a floor-mounted lever. Xterra's standard motivation comes from a 2.4-liter inline four that makes 143 horsepower and 154 foot-pounds of torque. An optional 170-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 generates 200 accessible foot-pounds of torque and moves the Xterra from zero to 60 in 10.8 seconds. Outdoor enthusiasts can tow up to 5,000 pounds with the V6 and an automatic transmission, and antilock brakes are standard on all models. The Xterra is being marketed as a bare-bones mini-SUV to avoid treading on the toes of its bigger and more upscale brother, the Pathfinder, but how well it does that is questionable. The Xterra is nearly as long as the Pathfinder and offers an inch more legroom for rear passengers. But the well-equipped, 250-horsepower Pathfinder, marketed to a wealthier clientele that wants prodigious power and luxury amenities, serves to make the Xterra the better bargain for those looking for basic transportation. We deem their mission to be a success, even if the definition of a "mini-SUV" gets murkier all the time. Honda CR-V Jeep Cherokee Suzuki Grand Vitara Toyota RAV4 336,000 560,000 5Unlimited NA NA NA 4 2.4 liters Inline 143 hp @ 5200 rpm 154 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm 66 cu.ft. 1496 lbs. 3500 lbs. 178 in. 70.4 in. 69.4 in. 3504 lbs. 104.3 in. 35.4 ft. 8.7 in. 38.6 in. 37.8 in. NA NA NA NA 41.4 in. 32.8 in. 5 Standard Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Good Rating = Good Good Very Good Acceptable Not Tested 19.4 gal. 19 mpg / 24 mpg 369 mi. / 466 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $16,740 $17,999 7.35% $520 N/A 3% of the Total Invoice XE-I4 2WD (5M): 2.4L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; battery with rundown protection; 70 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 4.38 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, rigid rear axle leaf spring suspension with anti-roll bar; recirculating-ball power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; 19.4 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, skid plates, side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; roof rack; front and rear black bumpers with rear step bumper; black wheel well molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 7" silver styled steel wheels; P235/70SR15 BSW M&S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan feature, single-disc CD player, 4 speakers, fixedantenna; child-safety rear door locks; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; deep tinted windows, manual front and rear windows, fixed 1/4 vent windows; fixed-interval front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; 50/50 folding rear split-bench seat with reclining fixed headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light with delay, illuminated entry; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console withstorage, glove box, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, 1 seatback storage pocket, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black door handles. XE 2WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of XE-I4 2WD (5M) equipment): 3.3L V6 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine; 4.36 axle ratio; 6 speakers. SE 2WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of XE 2WD (5M) equipment): Limited-slip differential, 4.64 axle ratio; front manual pop-up glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear black bumpers with front tow hooks, rear step bumper; black bodyside molding black wheel well molding; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" machined alloy wheels; P255/65SR16 BSW M&S tires; premium AM/FM stereo radio, 6-disc CD changer, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry; 3 power accessory outlets, first aid kit; panic alarm, security system; power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, fixed-interval rear wiper; front sports seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage; premium cloth seats, cloth door trim insert; additionalinterior lights include front reading lights; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger's side vanity mirror, cargo cover and cargo tie downs. XE/SE 4WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of XE/SE 2WD (5M) equipment): Part-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and manual shift; limited-slip differential (SE only), 4.64 axle ratio; P255/65SR16 BSW M&S tires. G94 In-Cabin Microfilter $31 $39 L92 Floor Mats $58 $79 N92 Tow Hitch M/T $294 $399 R94 6-Disc CD Changer $355 $439 U01 Utility Package $519 $599 W93 Splash Guards $42 $79