Nissan Xterra

First generation (WD22)
Overview
Also called	Nissan Paladin (China) Nissan Roniz (Iran)
Production	April 19, 1999[13] – 2004 (United States) 1999–2009 (Iran) 2003–2007 (Brazil) 2003–2015 (China)
Assembly	United States: Smyrna, Tennessee (NSAP) Brazil: São José dos Pinhais
Designer	Tom Semple[6] with Robert Bauer and Diane Allen[14]
Body and chassis
Related	Nissan Frontier (D22) Nissan Pathfinder (R50)
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline: 2.4 L KA24DE 143 hp (107 kW) I4 3.3 L VG33E 170 hp (130 kW) V6 3.3 L VG33E 180 hp (130 kW) V6 3.3 L supercharged VG33ER 210 hp (160 kW) V6 Diesel: 2.8 L TDI 4.07TCA 132 hp (98 kW) I4 2.8 L TDI CRD 4.07TCE 140 hp (100 kW) I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length	4,522 mm (178.0 in)
Width	1,788 mm (70.4 in)
Height	1,834–1,879 mm (72.2–74.0 in)

The Xterra was developed in 1999 at (then) Nissan Design International in California.[5] Designed to be "about what people do with the vehicle, as much as what the vehicle can do,”[1] it was introduced in North America in the 2000 model year in two trim levels, XE and SE.

The base XE featured a 143 hp (107 kW) KA24DE I4, rear-wheel 2WD, 5-speed manual transmission, and steel wheels, and a roof rack (rated for a load up to 125lbs). Options included a 170 horsepower 3.3 L VG33E SOHC V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and part-time 4WD.[6] The SE featured standard equipment that was optional on an XE, including 4WD, side step-rails, and moonroof. All models featured removable, tab-secured rear seat cushions to accommodate a fold-flat rear seat back. Canadian models from 1999 to 2004 were limited to the VG33E V6 engine with part-time 4WD.

2002 update

2002–2004 Nissan Xterra

All updates for the 2002 Xterra were executed at the Nissan Technical Center-North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan.[5] It was again available both in rear-wheel 2WD and part-time 4WD models.

The facelifted model debuted at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show with an optional supercharged V6 engine option, revised front-end styling with rounded headlights and raised hood (48mm), revised instrument panel with three round gauges in grey trim (XE) or blue (SE), revised HVAC controls, console with side map pocket, 25 percent larger glove box, map lamp with integrated compass (SE), pull-out rear cup holders, four interior power points, revised new seat fabrics, standard variable intermittent front windshield wipers and rear wiper, optional 300-watt audio system, foot-operated pedal parking brake replacing the dash-mounted pull-and-twist parking brake — and an increase of 10 horsepower for the V6 engine.

The 3.3L VG33E V6 was upgraded to 180 hp (134 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 202 lb⋅ft (274 N⋅m) at 2,800 rpm on the XE and SE models. A 210 hp (157 kW) Eaton M62 supercharged VG33ER option (carried over from the 2001 Nissan Frontier) was made available only on the SE S/C version. It produced 246 lb⋅ft (334 N⋅m) of torque for the automatic, and 231 lb⋅ft (313 N⋅m) of torque with 5-speed manual.

For 2003 the front seats received additional adjustability with added lumbar support and in SE models the available 6-disc, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system was replaced by a 6-speaker 300W Rockford Fosgate AM/FM/CD audio system with an 8-inch subwoofer that took up a small portion of the rear storage area. The last of the model year 2004 Xterras were manufactured in January 2005.

Second generation (N50)
Overview
Production	January 2005 – 2015
Model years	2005–2015
Assembly	United States: Smyrna, Tennessee (NSAP; 2005–2012); Canton, Mississippi (Nissan North America; 2012–2015)
Body and chassis
Platform	Nissan F-Alpha platform
Related	Nissan Pathfinder (R51) Nissan Navara/Frontier (D40)
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline: 4.0 L VQ40DE V6[15]
Power output	261 hp (265 PS; 195 kW)[15]
Transmission	5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4,539 mm (178.7 in)
Width	1,849 mm (72.8 in)
Height	1,902 mm (74.9 in)
Curb weight	4,140–4,425 lb

The second generation Xterra[16] debuted at the New York International Auto Show in 2004 and entered showrooms in early 2005 for the 2005 model year. Sharing Nissan's F-Alpha platform with the Titan and Armada,[17] it was larger in all dimensions than its predecessor.[18][19] The standard engine was upgraded to Nissan's 4.0 L VQ40DE variable valve timing DOHC V6, producing 261 hp (195 kW)[15] and 281 lb⋅ft (381 N⋅m) of torque.[17]

Early US models include X, S, and PRO-4X, with a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions, a choice of part-time 4-wheel drive or 2-wheel drive.[17][20] The M226 rear axle with a Dana 44 differential was standard on all manual transmission equipped models as well as all PRO-4X and off-road models. The PRO-4X and off-road also came standard with an electronic rear locking differential and either hill descent/start control or clutch interlock bypass switch on automatic and manual examples respectively.

2009 update

2009–2012 Nissan Xterra

2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X dashboard

The Xterra received a facelift for 2009 (July 2008 production) with more options and colors, optional leather seats on SE models, new grille and front bumper, silver painted rear bumper and roof rack, and roof mounted lights on off-road models. The last year of the Nissan Xterra in Mexico was 2008. In 2012, production was moved from Smyrna, Tennessee, to Nissan's facility in Canton, Mississippi.

Other changes include:

• New HVAC controls and standard audio system.
• Available Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, steering wheel audio controls and sunglass holder (overhead console) on all grade levels, except X model.
• Removed plastic engine cover.

• 2000 Motor Trend's Sport Utility of the Year[23]
• 2000 North American Truck of the Year
• 2000 New England Motor Press Association's Winter Vehicle Award of New England for Best in Class – Mini Sport Utility
• 2001 Named Top Car by AAA New Car and Truck Buying Guide
• 2005 Named on the Automobile Magazine's 50 Great New Cars list
• 2006 Nominated as North American Truck of the Year
• 2006 Motor Trend's Sport Utility of the Year
• 2006 Motor Trend's Truck Trend's Best Little-Guy SUV Award
• 2006 Car and Driver Rock-Hopper SUV Winner.[24]
• 2006 4×4 of the Year award from Petersen's 4-Wheel and Off-Road magazine.
• 2006 Edmunds.com Editor's Most Wanted Vehicle
• 2009 4Wheeler Magazine's SUV of the Year
• 2010 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's highest Side-impact Safety Rating (five stars)

In 2001, the advertisign firm of TBWA\Chiat\Day won the Grand Effie, a global marketing award,[3] for its introductory advertising campaign for the original Xterra — postitioning the Xterra as reliable and functional outdoor gear, captured in the marketing tagline “Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t.” [4]

Nissan Paladin in China

All Nissan-produced Xterras manufactured outside the U.S. were built in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil until 2007. (Nissan ceased Brazilian production entirely in 2007.) It is built under license by Pars Khodro in Iran as the Nissan Roniz, and in China by Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile as the Nissan Paladin from 2003 to 2013. The Paladin uses the same chassis and running gear as the first generation Nissan Xterra, and the 2.4L KA24DE engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The front end is from the local Pickup. (The second generation Xterra model is only available in North America.) Other difference between the American Xterra and its Chinese counterparts is the parking brake actuator, a pedal with a pull-handle release in America, and a lever in China.

Following the Xterra's discontinuation from the U.S. market in 2015, Nissan began testing the D23 Navara-based SUV.[27][28] The SUV, later named Terra, made its debut in Asia in early 2018, and the updated version was released in the Middle East in late 2020 under the "X-Terra" name.

(Source: US sales figures 2005-17 only; Canada 2012-2016 only.[29])

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Xterra.

• Nissan USA Archived May 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine – Official American site
• Official site on Nissan China
• A story of Nissan Paladin and the Chinese team in a 2005 long-distance auto race (Dakar 2005) from this website: Nissan Motorsports website