I finally got my chance about two weeks ago to do a test drive and personal evaluation of an xterra. My findings were somewhat similar to above.

I personally like the way the xterra looks. However, as soon as I sat in the drivers seat I was very bummed. The deeply recessed instrumentation guages were entirely too recessed. When the steering wheel is at all in your way do not bother looking down to see what the speedometer or the tachometer are reading, because they are only visible at one angle. The Xterra is not a race car, for this reason I am not too much of a fan of the instrument cluster.

Also I found the engine to be lacking in power as well. Sadly lacking in power. Perhaps with smaller stock tires this would have helped.

For a plus, I did like the larger stock tires, I was also genuinely impressed with the handling as well.

Earlier someone asked where they come up with all of the ground clearence on the nissan. I thought that was a good question. I did like the skid plates on the xterra, they were a little bit wussy for my offroading side, but compared to most protective skid plates they were fairly stout and well located to do some good protecting.

The leaf springs on the xterra are not my choice, in fact the whole rear suspension looked cheaply contructed. Not enough leaves in the pack, and poor cheap construction of hangers (both shackle and spring hangers that is)

As for the ground clearance, I did like the rear axle. It was well tucked up to create good ground clearance. If the rodeo had the same size tires stock it would be much closer to the xterra in ground clearance. They are measuring to the rear axle, which is the lowest point on any solid axle vehicle. So in this case the nissan axle will soon be available with a full on e-locker made by eaton, and it has pretty great ground clearance. Much in the same fashion that a toy 8" axle does.

As for the front end, I looked at the xterra IFS and found it satisfactory, however, given the choice I would take Isuzu, mostly because of the Isuzu IFS being very stoutly constructed but still yeilding just a little more ground clearance on the front end. So yes the nissan has more ground clearance. But more clearance where it really matters (in the middle and on the front), that is a good question. The length of the xterra with all of that protective underbody stuff makes it not exactly ideal for breakover angle. With some modification I could see it going somewhere though.

Alright well that is my own personal review. All in all I liked the xterra, and I beleive with a few generations they will find their niche and I beleive it has the capability of becoming a great reliable vehicle like the Toyota 4runner, mostly the development of the interior and an engine change are what is needed for this vehicle.

Well anyhow, I just thought I would get that out, and also make one disclaimer, I love offroading, so my review would be highly slanted in that regard.