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2012 Nissan Xterra

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Rating7.1

Ranked #7 in 

Compact SUV
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$25,480 - $31,690
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Plenty of storage compartments

Interior feels dated and feels cheap

No significant changes on/off the hood

Respectable off-road capabilities

Subpar mileage

Spacious and practical cargo area

Lively handling and ride

Specs & Features

$27,530

price

261 hp @ 5600 rpm

horsepower

281 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

5-Speed Automatic

transmission

4.0L 6cyl 4WD 5A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Nissan Xterra SUV is a proud member of the compact SUV segment, locking horns with cars like the Jeep Wrangler, the Toyota FJ Cruiser, and the Kia Sorento. Offered in 3 trim levels, the Nissan Xterra SUV starts off at a base price of MSRP $25,480. Its 4.0L V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission give the SUV 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is available as an option. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 8 seconds and boasts a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the Nissan Xterra SUV manages to get a combined EPA rating of 18 MPG for automatic and 17 MPG with the manual transmission, a poor number for the class, giving its rivals an edge. It also has a ground clearance of 9.5 inches.

Buying Advice

The Pro-4X trim is tuned specifically for off-road performance, so if you want serious off-roading capabilities, you should opt for it. Additionally, it comes with plenty of features that base trims don't, such as a 9-speaker sound system, upgraded off-road tires, fog lights, cloth upholstery, etc.

Trims

    X
    $25,480 onwards
    • 16-inch silver styled steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    S
    $27,470 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    Pro-4X
    $30,640 onwards
    • Active bending lights
    • Inscription design elements
    • R-Design styling trims
    • Seven-seater configuration only
    • Side bolsters
    • Six seats or seven seats

Compare to similar cars

7.1
2012 Nissan Xterra

Price

$25,480- $31,690

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.12

Horsepower

261 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

281 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

8.2
2012 Chevrolet Equinox

$23,530- $30,970

Gasoline

8.18

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

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7.9
2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport

$23,435- $32,035

Gasoline

7.92

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

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7.9
2012 Ford Escape

$21,440- $28,120

Gasoline

7.93

171 hp @ 6000 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

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7.8
2012 GMC Terrain

$25,560- $33,010

Gasoline

7.83

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

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8.2
2012 Hyundai Tucson

$19,145- $26,495

Gasoline

8.17

165 hp @ 6200 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

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7.4
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

$23,225- $30,925

Gasoline

7.36

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

169 lb.-ft. @ 3750 rpm

5

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6.5
2012 Jeep Wrangler

$22,045- $33,770

Gasoline

6.48

285 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

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7.5
2012 Jeep Patriot

$15,995- $25,330

Gasoline

7.45

158 hp @ 6400 rpm

141 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

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6.6
2012 Jeep Liberty

$23,395- $28,995

Gasoline

6.57

210 hp @ 5200 rpm

235 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

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2012 Nissan Xterra vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		7.3 sec15.6 sec-
    		6.6 sec14.2 sec112 mph
    		6.8 sec15.2 sec124 mph
    		7.2 sec15.8 sec115 mph
    		7.3 sec15.5 sec-
    		7.5 sec--
    Read More

    2012 Nissan Xterra vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		16 mpg22 mpg18 mpg21.1 gal.337.6/464.2 mi.
      		23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg15.3 gal.351.9/474.3 mi.
      		22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/601.6 mi.
      		22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg18 gal.396/576 mi.
      		21 mpg28 mpg25 mpg16.5 gal.402.5/490 mi.
      		23 mpg28 mpg25 mpg15.9 gal.365.7/445.2 mi.

      2012 Nissan Xterra vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		178.7 in.72.8 in.74.9 in.8.1 in.106.3 in.
        		190.1 in.79.6 in.76.3 in.7.3 in.113.6 in.
        		189.9 in.75.8 in.70.1 in.9 in.109.8 in.
        		187.8 in.72.5 in.66.3 in.6.9 in.112.5 in.
        		185.3 in.72.8 in.66.3 in.6.9 in.112.5 in.
        		184.1 in.74.4 in.67.9 in.8.1 in.106.3 in.

        2012 Nissan Xterra vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		36.3 cu.ft.98.8 cu.ft.65.7 cu.ft.
          		47.2 cu.ft.97.3 cu.ft.89.7 cu.ft.
          		29.2 cu.ft.99.5 cu.ft.66.3 cu.ft.
          		34.2 cu.ft.108.3 cu.ft.78.2 cu.ft.
          		29.2 cu.ft.97.7 cu.ft.56.4 cu.ft.
          		36.4 cu.ft.108.2 cu.ft.73 cu.ft.

          2012 Nissan Xterra vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            		SourceCompare
            		230.1 cu.ft.36.3 cu.ft.65.7 cu.ft.-
            		10 cu.ft.31.5 cu.ft.63.7 cu.ft.212 ft.
            		62.7 cu.ft.22.7 cu.ft.62.7 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            		63 cu.ft.-63 cu.ft.-
            		62.4 cu.ft.26.1 cu.ft.62.4 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            		66.8 cu.ft.27.9 cu.ft.66.8 cu.ft.-

            2012 Nissan Xterra vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		5000 lbs.881 lbs.4143 lbs.
              		5000 lbs.1285 lbs.4050 lbs.
              		5000 lbs.1700 lbs.4400 lbs.
              		3527 lbs.1000 lbs.-Jeep USA
              		3500 lbs.1150 lbs.4076 lbs.Jeep USA
              		2200 lbs.1195 lbs.3433 lbs.

              2012 Nissan Xterra SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              15

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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