2010 Nissan Xterra - Rock Solid Power, Authentic Off-Road Capability For Serious Adventure Enthusiasts
08/12/2009
Nissan
Following an extensive list of enhancements and revisions for the previous model year, the tough, essential Nissan Xterra continues in 2010 as a vehicle designed to inspire and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts' activities wherever they go. Often copied, never equaled, Xterra remains a "class of one," combining power, utility, value and authenticity.
"What makes a vehicle authentic? An original? For the Nissan Xterra, it's finding a need in the market, fulfilling it better than any vehicle, and then staying true to the course - true North in the case of this adventure vehicle," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
For 2010, Xterra is again available in four well-equipped models - X, S, Off-Road and SE - making it easy for buyers to determine the exact Xterra model for their particular needs and lifestyles. Enhancements for the 2010 model year include revised X Gear Package content (now standard on Xterra S and SE models), the addition of Technology Package content as standard on Xterra SE and OR models, and simplified exterior and interior color selections.
The U.S.-built Xterra offers outstanding quality and reliability, along with strong on-road and off-road performance credentials. All 2010 Xterra models feature an advanced 261-horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine, along with a rugged "F-Alpha" truck platform for adventure-ready performance. The "F-Alpha" platform is shared with the full-size Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV. Xterra is available with a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions and in a choice of part-time 4-wheel drive or 2-wheel drive.
Rugged Exterior, Comfortable Interior
Staying true to the original Xterra design concept of offering drivers "everything you need and nothing you don't," the 2010 Xterra combines its signature bold exterior styling with a spacious, flexible, adventure-ready interior.
The exterior design includes large flared fenders, a powerful-looking hood and headlights, Nissan SUV-style angled strut grille, a versatile roof rack with latchable lid, and a rear bumper design with side steps for easy access to the roof rack. Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights, built into the roof rack air dam, are standard on Off-Road models, along with 16-inch bright machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels. The 2010 Xterra is offered in six exterior colors - Silver Lightning, Night Armor, Super Black, Red Brick, Avalanche and Navy Blue.
As in previous years, Xterra features a long wheelbase for a smooth ride and ample interior room, yet overall length is highly manageable due to the short front overhang - helping to enhance maneuverability in off-road hill climbing and trail situations.
Xterra's flexible interior is spacious enough for up to five adults and their gear, with ample leg room, headroom and cargo room. A standard 60/40 split folding stadium-style rear seat with removable seat bottom cushions and an available fold-down front passenger seat (Off-Road model) create added utility for hauling long recreational gear.
Standard interior features include sporty reclining front bucket seats, footrest, dual front and rear 20-ounce cupholders, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, Remote Keyless Entry and cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls. Xterra SE models include standard leather-appointed seating, while Off-Road models feature unique seat cloth.
Xterra's versatile cargo area is highlighted by an available Easy Clean cargo surface and a total of 10 cargo area utility hooks - six on the floor/sides and four on the ceiling (floor hooks can carry up to 110 pounds). There's also an available built-in first-aid kit and space to securely carry jugs up to a one-gallon size.
Securing bike racks and other accessories or gear is made easier with an available adjustable channel system in the cargo floor, similar in design to the Utili-track(TM) system offered on the Nissan Titan and Frontier pickups.
Xterra also offers a few necessary amenities to make any adventure a little more enjoyable, including an available premium 300-watt Rockford Fosgate(R)-powered audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, MP3/WMA capability plus aux-in jack; Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System; and XM(R) Satellite Radio (AT models only, XM(R) subscription required, sold separately).
A Rugged, Truck-Based Platform
Underneath its unique exterior design, every Xterra features a fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame and a rugged suspension featuring a steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle leaf spring rear suspension, with stabilizer bars front and rear. Xterra Off-Road models feature Bilstein high-performance gas shocks, a rear tire deflector and skids plates covering the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case (4WD only).
Powering Xterra is a standard 4.0-liter DOHC V6, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft torque. The engine includes such advanced design features as lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads, Continuous Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain and microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces. Other engine features include Teflon(R)-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, digital knock control system, 105,000-mile spark plugs and high capacity muffler. The engines' Electronic Throttle Control system includes secondary mapping in 4LO (4WD models).
Two advanced transmissions are offered with the 2010 Xterra: an available electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, with an emphasis on acceleration, fuel economy and shift quality, or a 6-speed manual transmission tuned for driving performance and fuel economy.
Xterra is offered in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations. Xterra 4x4 models feature a part-time 4WD system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case. Xterra Off-Road models include two advanced off-road technologies - Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist - as well as an electronic locking rear differential.
Other driveline components include engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).
Wheel and tire packages include 16-inch steel wheels with P265/70R16 tires for Xterra X models and 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BFGoodrich Long Trail tires on Xterra S models. Xterra Off-Road models feature 6-spoke 16-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires, while 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with P265/65R17 BFGoodrich Long Trail tires are standard on Xterra SE.
Advanced Safety Systems
Xterra's list of safety features and equipment includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors), driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and 3-point front/rear seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors. All Xterras also come with standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for improved front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
Other standard equipment includes the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Available Models and Packages
The 2010 Xterra is offered in four models - X, S, Off-Road and SE. The Off-Road model is available in 4-wheel drive only, while the X, S and SE are offered in both 2WD and 4WD configurations. Xterra S and SE models come with a 5-speed automatic transmission only, with X and Off Road models offering a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic.
The entry-level Xterra X grade offers a long list of standard features, including Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), power windows and locks, Remote Keyless Entry, cruise control, engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, 60/40 split fold-flat 2nd row seat and Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS).
Standard features for Xterra S include 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with BFGoodrich Long Trail tires, driver's seat lumbar support, Sandblast Aluminum step rails, Easy Clean Cargo surface and C-Channel cargo floor with four moveable hooks and front tow hook (4x4).
Xterra Off-Road models feature Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights in the air dam, silver headlight inner color, black bodyside molding, fold-flat front passenger seat with backboard, unique gray/red cloth seat fabric, sunglasses holder (overhead console), Off-Road badge on lower front doors and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Unique Off-Road performance equipment includes 265/75R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A off-road tires, rugged 16-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, electronic locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein gas-filled shocks and oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.
Xterra SE offers standard 5-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/65R17 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires, leather-appointed seating, silver headlight inner color, trip computer, sunglasses holder, body-colored outside mirrors, door handles and bodyside molding, XM(R) Satellite Radio with antenna (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately), auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more.
Xterra S and SE now include the previous X Gear Package content as standard, including fog lights, roof rack crossbars, gear basket and, for SE models only, a first aid kit and cargo net.
Both the SE and Off-Road models include standard Rockford Fosgate(R)-powered audio system with an in-dash 6 CD changer, 8 speakers and subwoofer, steering wheel audio controls, XM(R) Satellite Radio pre-wiring (manual transmission models) or XM(R) Satellite Radio receiver and black antenna (automatic transmission models) (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately), auxiliary input and Bluetooth(R) Hands-Free Phone System.
No options are offered for the 2010 Xterra.
"With the addition of standard Technology Package content on SE and Off-Road models and X Gear Package content on S and SE models, Xterra is an even better choice - and value - for 2010," said Castignetti. "Whether X, S, SE or Off-Road, Xterra truly is everything you need for great adventures."