2011 Nissan Xterra Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

15 -16 City / 20 -22 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

261

Seats

Positive Owner Reviews

becky m

Sporty and reliable SUV with great looks.

This is a fun and reliable suv to drive. I have had only one repair completed. Maintenance is easy. Great in the snow too. Lots of storage for groceries. Comfortable and easy to see the road.

Emma W

Comfortable, reliable truck bodied car.

My car is extremely reliable, I have never had any issues with it breaking down or needing service other than an oil change and tire rotation. It performs super well and does not shake at high speeds. It is a gas guzzler though, and it does not take long before I need to fill it up again. I find it to be a really comfortable car and I love the space inside of it. I bought this car in 2016 and have had it ever since, and know that it is reliable enough to last me probably another 10 years at least. It takes terrain pretty well, even though I do not have the 4wd version. The interior is pretty quiet when traveling.

kay N

Rugged terrain vehicle for all weather.

Very stable vehicle, however, some repairs can be costly. Nice basic features, not too many upgrades, however, leather and seat warmers were added. Good tough, rugged vehicle. High steps to get in and can be tight spaced at times but plenty of room for groceries or dogs in back.

Natasha W

Vehicle review: the performance of my car.

My vehicle is the best vehicle all over. It is service is very good and feel very comfortable to use. Good looking and provide best performance. Color is awesome. All the parts of the car is unique. I recommend it to all my family and friends to buy it for it is best service.

Ethel B

I really love my Xterra. Great vehicle inside and out.

I have had no issues with my vehicle. Very comfortable riding. Looks stylish and is very dependable. Seats fold down to haul big items. When looking right, I have had to remove the passenger headrest as it does obstruct my view at times. Noise level. Is low. Air and heat work well.

Melissa T

Great family vacation car. First aid kit included.

I love driving this car. The seats are adjustable to many positions making it comfortable even for family members with back pain. I love that it came with a first aid kit. The back seat leg room is a bit lacking if front seats are all the way back. They are very high off the ground, so they offer great visibility but can be difficult for handicapped people to get in and out of.

charles J

Is very reliable, and cost effective to drive

Practical roomy and fun to drive, controls are convenient and easy to access, 4x4 makes for fun in snow, gas mileage is outstanding

Melissa M

Amazing SUV with updated radio.

My car has a great performance, it has never really given me any problem except for having to change the battery. It is super comfortable to me and it fits my little family. It has been really reliable for long trips and for caring for my family. My car was just standard features until we updated the radio which has made your car so much better.

Negative Owner Reviews

David Rucker

2011 x terra

I bought a xterra thinking it would live up to its name in the hills and pot holes of Pittsburgh. Wrong ! The suspension didn’t last long at all. And my rear leaf springs, hah ! They are all busted up. That’s from normal driving around Pittsburgh. Off road vehicle, yeah , sure . Lol

Miranda B

All in all not the best family car!

My car is a very boxy car which is not bad but I feel suffocated on the inside it does not give you much room to load stuff in and out of the car also, our car does not have ac vents for the backseat, and for the kids in the summer, it's not ideal at all and my poor kids always start sweating horribly in the summer when we go anywhere in the car.

Karen W

Comfortable and roomy but noisy

My car is comfortable to ride in, and it's fun to sit high, although aesthetically, I find the car to be too tall. It's a noisy ride - it's hard to hear well enough to have a conversation between passengers in the back seat and the driver, especially at higher speeds (freeway). Trunk is very roomy. Air conditioner only works occasionally, and the mirror broke off the front windshield. Otherwise, no major problems.

Julie N

It's horrible in snow, and they don't come with many options, I.e no leather/warmer seats. I love the look, it's reliable and drives well. Blind spot sucks.

Do not buy this car if it snows a lot where you live. It's horrible in ice and snow, as in it gets stuck on when the Hill isn't steep.

Nissan Xterra Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

261 HP 18 MPG 5 Seats

261 HP 17 MPG 5 Seats

Pro-4X

261 HP 17 MPG 5 Seats

Photos may not match model

2011 Nissan Xterra Owner Reviews

4.50

40 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

65%

4 stars

25%

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

rodaly M on May 25, 2021

Great sport SUV, cool and reliable.

It brings a first aid kit, it is very spacious and great for a family of 5, also it has a space in the trunk that you can remove the lid and serves as a cooler if you are at the beach. I love everything about my xterra, never had any mechanical issues, it is a shame that Nissan is not making them anymore because is a great SUV.

Erik S on May 17, 2021

Great daily driver adventure vehicle.

Reliable with basic maintenance. Excellent sound system - better than the sound system in my wife's $50k SUV. Engine could be more powerful - pickup is okay but not great. It is very capable off road - locking rear differential, bilstein shocks, off road lights. Great storage options. On road ride is good but not great - the off road tuned suspension requires compromise.

View All Reviews (40)

Pros from Owners

Lynne W.

The size and handling... I love that it is an all purpose vehicle. It is a very reliable and durable vehicle. Can tow as well as go off road. I appreciate that it is able to fit a lot inside of it. I also like it is style.

Josh C.

The xterra is very spacious and easy to drive. Fits 4 people easy with plenty of cargo room. Maintenance is cheap and 62k miles later no issues so far. The roof rack on top makes it easy to tie items down. Front and rear windows are huge and make it easy to see.

Cons from Owners

Lynne W.

Wish it had the option of a third row of seats. The interior seats are not very comfortable, and it does not have as good of leg room in the back seat as much as I would like. I also wish it had better sound system in it.

Josh C.

Only con is some parts outside like the front bumper are plastic. If your above 6 foot sitting in the rear may be a bit tight. Gas mileage isn't the best since it is a four liter engine. It has a body on frame chassis so it shares the same ride characteristics as the Nissan frontier.

Ranks #7 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2011 Nissan Xterra has an average owner rating of 4.50 out of 5 which ranks it #7 of 23 other Midsize SUVs.

2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser

4.82

2011 Toyota 4Runner

4.71

2011 Nissan Xterra

4.5

Ranks #9 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2011 Nissan Xterra has a combined MPG of 23 which ranks it #9 of 23 other Midsize SUVs.

2011 Subaru Outback

29 MPG

2011 Mazda CX-7

28 MPG

Tie

2011 Nissan Xterra

22 MPG

Is The 2011 Nissan Xterra A Good Car?

Yes it is very reliable. I have had very few problems until recently with the check engine light and the mass air flow sensor. I love the room and am sad they do not make it anymore.

karl w.

How Reliable Is The 2011 Nissan Xterra?

It is. Only recently with the mass air flow sensor. The engine is great and the electronics still function well. I wish they would still make it.

karl w.

Is The 2011 Nissan Xterra A Good Value?

Between 20,000 and 30,000 depending on the features but that was years ago. At the time it was a great value for the space in the car.

karl w.

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Not Rated

Rollover

Side

Not Rated

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety