- suv 108,985
- Springdale, AR
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- autoshopper.com
2002 nissan xterra review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Supercharged performance and interior refinements add appeal. introductionnissan's xterra is, well, it's cool. It's cool to have an interior mountain bike rack. It's cool to be rugged. It's cool that it's retro at the same time that it's a trendsetter. And now it's cool to have a supercharged engine, a new option for 2002. with its special blend of style and function, the xterra has been a huge success ever since nissan launched this compact sport-utility in 2000. The xterra concept has prevailed beyond nissan's expectations and hopes; heck, it's still just catching on, and for 2002 it has a more powerful engine, an updated interior and a restyled front end with new headlights and a bulging hood. lineuptwo xterra models are available: xe and se. Standard equipment includes a tubular roof rack with removable gear basket, air conditioning, a 100-watt audio system with a cd player, anti-lock brakes and a full-size spare tire. xe v6 19,199) models come with a 3. 3-liter single overhead-cam v6 that produces 170 horsepower. se 23,199) models come standard with the v6 engine and such equipment as fog lamps, tubular step rails, upgraded seats, cruise control, an in-dash 6-cd changer, first aid kit, power windows, locks and mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, tilt steering wheel, remote keyless entry and larger (16-inch) wheels and tires. a supercharged v6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque is available with either trim package. But nissan didn't stop there. The california design team crafted new round headlights and a new front fascia to give the sport-utility an even more rugged and muscular look. Essentially, the 2002 xterra got a new front clip. This new look is enhanced by the availability of three new colors: shock blue, sedona and molten lava. the xterra has visual distinction that says rugged. For 2002, bigger tires add to this. Considering the vehicle's hype about function, this is a significant if small oversight. Nissan says the pathfinder is similar, and nobody ever complained. A large new console is outfitted with map pocket, power ports and push-out cup holders. The xe has gray gauges while the se's are bluish. Also new are the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning controls. The glove box is 25 percent larger. the long-criticized, dash-mounted, pull-and-twist parking brake has been replaced with a foot-operated pedal system. This is a big improvement, though we'd still prefer a traditional hand-brake lever. The manual shift lever is on the tall size. for 2002, the front seats are comfortable and supportive. The bucket seats fit well and provide good lumbar support. A cd changer holds six cds, which can be selected with the six radio station buttons. The heater controls are three big switches with wings. There are front and rear auxiliary dc outlets in addition to the cigarette lighter, and big fixed cupholders front and rear. Cruise control and radio controls are located on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with wide spokes located at 3, 9, 5 and 7 o'clock. The whole padded center is the horn, the best and safest operation because of quick access. The horn is tinny but strong, a no-frills statement. we took the xterra windsurfing, and missed the cool accessory seat covers made of wetsuit material. Other nice available cabin details include the side window demisters and rear heat ducts, smart storage crannies, as many as 10 cargo hooks on floor and ceiling, and a strap on the tailgate to close it from the inside. rear seating is not the most comfortable. There's not much side support. Rear-seat passengers can slide their feet under the front seats, but it's a little tight, an inch less than the smaller toyota rav4. There's lots of headroom, though. The roof is raised over the rear seats to allow for their elevation, providing a nice view through the windshield. because it's built on the frontier pickup truck platform, xterra's engineers must have been challenged to squeeze everything in, while providing lots of good cargo space (65. 6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, 44. 5 cubic feet with the seats up). the 50-50 rear seatbacks fold down fairly flat, but the seat bottoms must be removed. At least they're featherweight. driving impressionthe 2002 xterra feels tighter than last year's model. It feels smoother and more refined than before. Thanks to high-tech sound insulation in places not normally insulated, the 2002 nissan xterra is quiet at freeway speeds. However, floor the throttle and the single-cam v6 gets pretty loud. And the luggage rack hisses in the wind. the xterra sways at gusts and leans in curves, not surprising given its height and boxy shape. That big vertical rear window provides excellent visibility, but it gathers dust and dirt like crazy. The rear wiper/washer is optional on the xe, but should be considered standard equipment for anyone who drives in anything less than perfect conditions on a dry road. the xterra is nimble at slower speeds, feeling lighter than its 4130 pounds. The steering is very nice. The suspension does a great job on washboard gravel roads. Power steering is by recirculating ball. The chassis rides on the backs of 10 individually tuned dual-rate rubber chassis mounts, so there's no harshness there at all. At the same time, the ladder chassis from the frontier is certainly strong. Unlike a turbocharger, the supercharger delivers its power the moment the driver pushes on the throttle. It delivers strong torque (246 pounds-feet of torque at 2800 rpm), though it doesn't turn the xterra into a rocket. Acceleration is accompanied by that supercharger whine, which some people like and others don't. Bucket Seats✔ Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Changer✔ Air Conditioning✔ CD Player✔ Alloy Wheels
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