Never tried the Xterra although we own two Pathfinders: 95 & 92. I,m an Aussie living in a very cold part of Canada & a jap bike rider first & formost. The way I see it is the Pathfinder is the almost perfect vehicle for where we live. I am not a big fan of giant V8 American vehicles & the Pathfinder provides economical fual usage, reliability, good strength for a mid-sized 4WD & reasonably good manners over varied conditions. They both tow motor bikes thru quarries, etc and generally around all summer & provide a little more traction(safety) in our cold winters, cart the family & dogs from one spot in the country to another without a fart, & can generally be relied upon. Biggest downfall(in my eyes) is the few niggling elect probs, ie: light stalk & temp/fuel gauge probs & the inability to slide a 4'x8' sheet thru the back window. I will buy an xterra if it handle like my wifes 95 & I can fit a 4x8 sheet of whatever up its tailgate.