The 2007 Nissan Xterra may not have the namebrand recognition of a Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, or Liberty, but it’s every bit the off-roader, it’s more comfortable, and it will cost you a lot less to keep running.
Is the 2007 Nissan Xterra a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – If you’re looking for an affordable weekend adventure vehicle that won’t break down after the first ten thousand miles, here it is.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – More comfortable than a typical off-roader, but built for rocks, mud, and sand. It rides a bit stiff on pavement.
- Reliability 8/10 – This SUV’s biggest advantage over a Jeep is that it’s a Nissan, which means it’s fairly reliable if it’s well-kept. But, it’s an off-roader, so don’t skip the test drive, because chances are the previous owner has already put some rough miles on the transmission.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2007 Xterra has decent crash test ratings and adequate standard safety equipment.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 17/22 miles to the gallon is reasonable for an adventure vehicle. Not impressive, but reasonable.
- Value 7/10 – The Xterra is priced fairly, and cost of ownership isn’t bad for an off-roader… But it’s still an off-roader. That means expensive gas bills, and you better put a little money aside in case you hit a tree stump a little too hard and fracture a wheel.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
Consumer Reports compared the Xterra favorably to the last-gen Pathfinder, praising the SUV’s refined engine and responsive handling. They concluded in their review that the Xterra was one of the better off-roaders of its era.
Kelley Blue Book report that the Xterra is very much the off-road adventure vehicle it’s shown to be in the TV ads. They liked the affordable price tag, making the SUV more accessible than a typical off-roader. They note that it’s not much more fuel-efficient than the competition, though.
Edmunds named the Xterra “one of the most powerful V6s in the class,” reporting above-average off-road capability and more passenger space than you’ll find in a comparable Jeep. They note that the interior finish feels a bit cheap, though, and it’s a poor choice of daily-driver.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Nissan Xterra Have?
The 2007 Nissan Xterra has generated 548 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 230 of these are for the powertrain, with drivers reporting radiator failure resulting from transmission coolant leaking into the radiator fluid.
There are 136 complaints on file for the SUV’s fuel system, with drivers reporting that the fuel sensor may fail to give an accurate reading, leaving drivers running out of gas on the highway. There have been no recalls for the matter.
Beyond these two major issues, most of the Xterra’s problems are being reported in fairly small numbers. But, there have been a few worrying reports of suspension failure despite a 2010 recall intended to address a bad weld in just under 2,000 units.
The 2007 Nissan Xterra has only been recalled twice, but the SUV’s complaint numbers are a bit high, so make sure to run a thorough test drive before you agree to make a purchase.
How Long Will the 2007 Nissan Xterra Last?
A Nissan Xterra is expected to last at least 200,000 miles before you have any major repairs to worry about. Nissans are fairly reliable, but bear in mind that an off-road SUV is going to be ridden a bit rough, and that can shave a few years off of a car’s life expectancy.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $514, which isn’t bad for an off-road SUV. New fuel tanks take the top spot for most expensive common repair, starting at around $988. Water pumps aren’t far behind, at around $674.
It is actually yes very reliable and no it has no issues it has been a really decent car for my son and I the year we have had it.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Xterra is decent for the model year. Standard issue equipment is limited to a CD player, but you can upgrade that to a CD/MP3 player with 8 premium speakers and a CD-changer.
Safety technology is adequate for a 2007 off-roader. You’ve got your anti-lock brakes and traction control as standard features. Nothing too cutting-edge, but nothing missing, either.
Is the 2007 Nissan Xterra a Good Value?
The 2007 Nissan Xterra is one of the more cost-efficient off-roaders for its model year. An entry-level model typically lists at around $5,871, while a high-end Off-Road model might go for around $6,336.
These prices are in the same range as a comparable Jeep Liberty from this model year, and much cheaper than a Wrangler but the Xterra is far less prone to expensive breakdowns. It’s just as much of a gas-guzzler, but repair bills will be far lower, making it a better deal even at the same price.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
The 2007 Nissan Xterra is available in four trim levels, from the entry-level X to the high-end Off-Road edition.
With the base X you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth seating
- CD player
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
Next up is the S, adding:
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
The high-end SE adds:
- Premium cloth seating
- Fog lights
- Fosgate sound system with 8 speakers, MP3 player, and 6-disc CD changer
Finally, the top-of-the-line Off-Road edition features:
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Power mirrors
- Angled strut front grille
- Full-time four wheel drive
What Engines Come In the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
- Whatever your options, the 2007 Xterra comes packed with a 4.0L V6 engine delivering 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, or full-time four wheel drive in the Off-Road edition. The Xterra averages 17/22 miles to the gallon in rear wheel mode, or 17/21 in all wheel mode.
What Colors Does the 2007 Nissan Xterra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
The Xterra is notably more comfortable than a comparable Liberty or Wrangler. The hip room tops out at 46 inches, but it’s roomy enough for two adults, with plenty of head and leg room. The suspension is off-road tuned so it may be a bit bouncy for the streets, but it rides like a dream on dirt, sand, and gravel.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Nissan Xterra Have?
The 2007 Xterra offers 35 cubic feet of space with the seats up, 66 with the seats down. This is roughly the same as a 2007 Liberty, and a bit more generous than a Wrangler, offering plenty of space for all your camping supplies. For reference, you could fit about a dozen large Igloo coolers in the back.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2007 Xterra was the third model year in the SUV’s 2nd Generation, running from 2005 to 2015 before the nameplate was retired for the Nissan Terra.
2005: The bigger, stronger 2nd Generation Xterra debuted on the Nissan F-Alpha platform, which it shared with Pathfinder, Titan, and Armada.
2006: For 2006, Nissan made the Power Package standard in the S model, no more rolling the windows up by hand.
2007: Standard mud-guards and MP3 players were added for certain models in 2007.
2008: Power windows and remote keyless entry are standard for 2008, and Bluetooth hands-free is offered as an optional upgrade.
2009: A refresh year for the nameplate, 2009 saw redesigned fascias and instrument panels, and new leather seats for the SE model.
How Does the 2007 Nissan Xterra Compare to the Competition?
The Nissan Xterra is a smarter, more practical alternative to both the Jeep Liberty and the Jeep Wrangler. Pricing is comparable between the Xterra and the Liberty, and the Nissan costs around half as much as a Wrangler while being about as capable off-road, and much more comfortable.
Jeep may technically be unbeatable in the mud, and there’s something about the namebrand that’s hard to exist. But for all intents and purposes, the Xterra is a far more sensible weekend adventure vehicle, ultimately being the most affordable of the three when you add in cost of ownership.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
It has been decent for me to go where I need to. It would not be my first choice but it is a good option.
