Xterra on-road performance?

[sizzla123]

I've been driving a Passat for about a year now, but my wife will be taking it over. With the incentives going on now, I'm really interested in the Xterra, but I'm worried about 2 things. Safety (roll-overs), I've never had an SUV, and I'm really worried about the overall safety of a vehicle like the Xterra. Also, I know the Xterra is a great off-road performer, but since most of my driving is done on-road and the highway, I would like to know how it performs in such an environment. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[OffroadX]

The X is quite stable on the road, I toss it nearly as hard as our '92 Civic. That's not to say it isn't more likely to roll over, because it is, but I don't think it's prone to it. Most SUVs won't roll over on their own anyway, most often it takes digging in while sliding sideways in the median or otherwise "tripping" on something to send them over. You would have a hard time putting your X over short of already being involved in an accident. That said, of the ones I know of that have gone over on the road and off, they have held up very very well.
Otherwise, the X rides pretty well, though it is based on a truck and there is some evidence of that. Only a test drive will tell if it's to your liking. I think only the "princess and the pea" types really have a problem with it. My father in law has a '97 Explorer XLT and he really likes the way my X rides compared to it.
The X, even in supercharged form, isn't exactly a powerhouse. My non-SC gets along well enough, even with larger tires, but then again I'm no power junkie. I went from an '88 Corolla to the Xterra, so I actually went up in power. Going from a Passat might be a bit harder to swallow.

I would find a dealer willing to let you test drive one for an entire afternoon. That's the only way you'll get a chance to evaluate the X well enough to know what you're up against.

Brent

[hobbes69]

I don't know if everyone noticed this, but there was an increase in "pick-up" after the first 1000-1200 miles or so. I was initially a little concerned when I test drove one, but now I think the pickup is much better. Still, going from any type of sporty car (even if its not a sports car) your going to notice the lack of pickup in comparison.

[superjens]

As my good friend Xlax said, the nice thing about the Xterra acceleration is it gives you plenty of time to enjoy it!

I went from a low-slung 95 Civic CX and think the power and cornering of the X (even without a rear swaybar) is great. Then again, I'm no racing junkie, I got all of that out of my system when I was a kid in my folk's Rabbit Diesel

[Aythya]

I like my X! I went from a full size GMC 4X4 with a 4.9 V6, which in no way compared to my friends full size trucks with the 350 CI engines. However it did peform amazingly well. 30 more horses makes a difference. However, the X seems to perform fairly well. I have been really impressed with the limited offroad experience I have had. It seems to crawl well through mud & sand even with the stock tires. I have had to rely on the warn once to pull me out though. Pulling the boat, and up to 3800 pounds seems to do fine.

[ozxterra]

Ive owned and driven a lot of different vehicles including full size Z-71's, Jettas, Volvo's and a Saturn etc.. (I like the Saturn SL1 - It appeals to the Utility side of my character).

The X is an interesting ride - it is predictable, and a moderate perfomer on road. It foots the bill well if you need to do some "truck" type duties like pulling trailers and hauling stuff but can also be cleaned up and quite acceptable for a night out on the town. Acceleration is moderate, Brakes are pretty good. Handling is better than it feels. Initially a lot of XTerra owners feel the truck to be "joggly" on the highway and scary - some have even taken theirs back. This is because of the truck's high center of gravity. I can attest to pushing that as far as it can possibly go and it is suprisingly good. I have over 50,000 miles on mine and it runs as well as when I bought it even if it is a "Gray Market" rig (long story). I used it for downtown onsite work, hauling, long distance runs, supermarket trips and just about anything else you can think of and it hasnt let me down. Its build quality is very good compared to american vehicles even if it is basic and it competes well with Toyota and outshines Mitsubishi etc. A word of warning though.. if you go offroad you WILL get sucked into it and show signs of a worsening problem called "modaholicism" in which you will want to suddenly put and ARB, winch, Tires and all sorts of goodies on your rig - you will be amazed at the excuses you come up with to do such things too.
A note: even if you dont plan to go off-road dont get the 4X2 - you will regret it. The X is a different creature in 4X4 and you will be very glad of it if you ever hit mountain passes or other low-traction areas. Most of the people I know with 4X2 XTerras regret not getting the 4X4. It also holds up resale.


Cheers and good luck car hunting!

[ChuckH]

I agree with ozxterra pretty much on all counts except one. I find that the brakes in the Xterra are superb and among the best I've driven, and I'm not just comparing to SUV's. The handling is also superb for a vehicle of this type. Acceleration is lethargic, but tolerable. I came from driving a very stable AWD car, so the Xterra had to be a good handler and braker or I would have passed it over.

Hey Oz! Nice Saturn!

[ozxterra]

Thanks man!! I thought you were Schlud at first but then I recognized the tires. The world looks different from the seat of a Saturn....
I got home and my X was waiting for me.. covered in mud from last weekend and waiting for some more!

[ChuckH]

FYI, my office is just down around the corner from where you saw me. We're on Stone Ave at 126th. I had just left there and was on my way to not-so-Home Depot. I was wondering who the hell was yelling at me from a Saturn...hehe! :silly2: