2011 Nissan Xterra Once Again Offers Authentic Off-Road Capability For Serious Adventure Enthusiasts
09/22/2010
Nissan
Often copied, never equaled, Xterra remains a "class of one," combining power, utility, value and authenticity. The tough, essential Nissan Xterra continues in 2011 as a vehicle designed to inspire and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts' activities wherever they go. For the 2011 model year, the adventure-ready Nissan Xterra offers a simplified model lineup. The previous Off-Road model has been renamed Xterra PRO-4X and the Xterra SE model is no longer available - leaving three 2011 Xterra models: Xterra X, Xterra S and Xterra PRO-4X. The X and S models are available in 4x2 or part-time 4-wheel drive. PRO-4X has standard part-time 4-wheel drive.
All 2011 Xterras feature Nissan's advanced 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, along with a rugged "F-Alpha" truck platform for adventure-ready performance. All models are offered with a refined 5-speed automatic transmission, while S and PRO-4X models have a choice of the automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.
Xterra again features a distinct "multi-flex" interior with an abundance of useable space, storage and convenience features - including an available Easy Clean cargo area, a tie-down channel system, 10 cargo hooks and an available built-in first-aid kit. While maintaining its "authentic" tough gear positioning, the 2011 Xterra also offers a range of advanced technologies, including Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately) and an 8-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system with subwoofer.
Enhancements for the 2011 model year include the addition of body side moldings to Xterra S, the addition of a standard first aid kit and rear tire deflector on Xterra S 4x2, the addition of a white-faced meter cluster on Xterra PRO-4X, and two new exterior colors: Lava Red and Metallic Green. One option package is available for 2011, the PRO-4X Leather Package.
Rugged Exterior, Comfortable Interior
Staying true to the original Xterra design concept of offering drivers "everything you need and nothing you don't," the 2011 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 PRO-4X models, along with 16-inch bright machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels. The 2011 Xterra is offered in seven exterior colors - Silver Lightning, Night Armor, Super Black, Red Brick, Avalanche, Metallic Green and Lava Red.
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 (PRO-4X 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.
All Xterra PRO-4X models feature unique seat cloth, with leather-appointed seating available as part of the PRO-4X Leather Package (automatic transmission only).
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 (standard on S and PRO-4X models).
Xterra also offers a few necessary amenities to make any adventure a little more enjoyable, including an available premium 300-watt Rockford Fosgate-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 PRO-4X models feature Bilstein(R) high-performance gas shocks, a rear tire deflector and skids plates covering the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case (PRO-4X 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 2011 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 PRO-4X models include two advanced off-road technologies - Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist (automatic transmission only) - 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 PRO-4X models feature 6-spoke 16-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires.
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 2011 Xterra is offered in three models - X, S and PRO-4X. The PRO-4X model is available in 4-wheel drive only, while the X and S are offered in both 2WD and 4WD configurations. Xterra X models come with a 5-speed automatic transmission only, with S and Pro-4X 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-down 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, step rails, Easy Clean Cargo Surface and C-Channel cargo floor with four moveable hooks and front tow hook (4x4). Other standard Xterra S equipment includes roof rack crossbars (4x4 only), gear basket (4x4 only) and first aid kit.
Xterra PRO-4X models feature Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights in the air dam, silver headlight inner color, black bodyside molding, fold-down front passenger seat with backboard, unique gray/red cloth seat fabric, sunglasses holder (overhead console), PRO-4X badge on tailgate and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Unique PRO-4X performance equipment includes P265/75R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A off-road tires, rugged 16-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist (automatic transmission only), electronic locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein(R) gas-filled shocks and oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.
All PRO-4X models also include standard Rockford Fosgate-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.
Only one option is available for 2011, the PRO-4X Leather Package with leather-appointed seating surfaces and passenger seat back pocket.