2013 Nissan Xterra: Overview
Gear For Serious Adventure Enthusiasts
Designed to inspire and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts' activities wherever they go, the Nissan Xterra returns in 2013 as the same tough, rugged and essential gear that has made it so popular with adventure enthusiasts since its arrival. With only minor revisions in the models, colours and badging for 2013, Xterra will continue to be a trusted partner to all those driven to adventure.
"Since its inception, Xterra has represented an authentic expression of adventure-focused design, both in aesthetic appeal and real-world functionality. For 2013, Xterra continues its proud tradition of not only meeting, but exceeding both the needs and wants of its active sports enthusiast owners," said Judy Wheeler, Director, Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc.
Once again in 2013, the U.S.-built Xterra offers outstanding quality and reliability, along with strong on-road and off-road performance credentials. All 2013 Xterra models feature an advanced 4.0-litre DOHC V6 engine, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, along with a rugged "F-Alpha" truck platform for adventure-ready performance. The "F-Alpha" platform is shared with the full-size Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV. Off-road performance is personified in the PRO-4X model with standard BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires, locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein shocks and available Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HAS) in the PRO-4X automatic transmission model. Xterra S and PRO-4X models are available with a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions with part-time 4-wheel drive.
Everything You Need, and Nothing You Don't
After both interior and exterior refinements in 2009, the Xterra returns unchanged in 2013 and stays true to the original Xterra design concept of offering drivers "everything you need, and nothing you don't."
Xterra's signature exterior styling features include large flared fenders, a versatile roof rack with latchable lid, aluminum side step rails and a rear bumper design with side steps for easy access to the roof rack. It also offers a large, powerful looking hood and headlights and Nissan SUV-style angled strut grille. The 2013 Xterra also offers Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights built into the roof rack air dam as a standard feature for PRO-4X models.
Xterra features a long wheelbase for a smooth ride and ample interior room, yet overall length is highly manageable due to the short front overhang – helping to enhance maneuverability in off-road hill climbing and trail situations.
Inside, Xterra's flexible interior is spacious enough for up to five adults and their gear, with ample leg room, headroom and cargo room. A standard 60/40 split folding stadium-style rear seat with removable seat bottom cushions and an available fold-down front passenger seat (PRO-4X models) create added utility for hauling long recreational gear.
Standard interior features also include: sporty reclining front bucket seats, footrest, dual front and rear 491 ml cupholders, dual vanity mirrors with extenders, three 12v power outlets, remote keyless entry, power windows, power locks, power heated outside mirrors, air-conditioning and cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls.
Xterra's versatile cargo area is highlighted by a standard EZ-Clean cargo floor surface and a total of 10 cargo area utility hooks – six on the floor/sides and four on the ceiling (floor hooks are movable and can carry up to 50 kilograms). There's also space to securely carry jugs up to a 3.8 L size. Securing bike racks and other accessories or gear is made easier with the standard adjustable channel system in the cargo floor, similar in design to the Utili-TrackÔ system offered on the Nissan Titan and Frontier pickups.
While maintaining its off-road adventure authenticity, the 2013 Xterra also offers a few necessary amenities, including an available premium 300-watt Rockford Fosgate®-powered audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, MP3/WMA capability plus aux input jack, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (A/T models only, XM® subscription required, sold separately after initial 3 month trial period).
A Rugged, Truck-Based Platform
Underneath its unique exterior design, every 2013 Xterra features a fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame and a rugged suspension featuring a steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle leaf spring rear suspension, with stabilizer bars front and rear. Xterra PRO-4X models feature Bilstein high-performance gas shocks, a rear tire deflector and skid plates covering the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case
Powering Xterra is a standard 4.0-litre DOHC V6, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft torque. The engine is an increased displacement version of Nissan's VQ engine series found in the 370Z, Maxima and Altima. It features a longer stroke (than the 3.5-litre version) and has been specifically tuned for SUV and truck applications.
Like others in the VQ family, the 4.0-litre version includes such advanced design features as lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads, Continuous Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain and microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces. Other engine features include Teflon®-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, digital knock control system, 105,000-mile spark plugs and high capacity muffler. The engines' Electronic Throttle Control system includes secondary mapping in 4LO.
Two advanced transmissions are offered with the 2013 Xterra. An available electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, based on the transmission used in the both the Titan and Armada (with an emphasis on acceleration, fuel economy and shift quality), or a 6-speed manual transmission based on the 370Z design but tuned for driving performance and fuel economy.
Xterra is offered in a 4x4 configuration and features a part-time 4WD system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case. Xterra PRO-4X models with automatic transmission include two advanced off-road technologies – Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist – as well as an electronic locking rear differential.
Other driveline components include engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Limited Slip Differential (ABLS).
Wheel and tire packages include 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires on Xterra S models. Xterra PRO-4X models feature 6-spoke 16-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with P265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires.
Advanced Safety Systems
Xterra's list of safety features and equipment includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags and 3-point front/rear seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors. All Xterras also come with standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
Other standard equipment includes the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Available Models and Packages
The 2013 Xterra is offered in two models – S and PRO-4X bothl available in 4-wheel drive only. Xterra SV comes standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission only while the S and PRO-4X offer a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic.
The entry-level Xterra S grade offers a long list of standard features, including Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control (TCS), 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Limited Slip Differential (ABLS), 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with BF Goodrich Long Trail tires, Sandblast Aluminum step rails, remote keyless entry, power windows, locks and mirrors, , cruise control, engine speed sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion steering, driver's seat lumbar support, 60/40 split fold-flat 2nd row seat, EZ-Clean Cargo floor, Nissan Advanced Airbag System (AABS) and Utili-Track™ C-Channel cargo floor with four moveable hooks and front tow hook (4x4).
2013 Xterra PRO-4X models feature Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights in air dam, silver headlight inner colour, black bodyside molding, fold-flat front passenger seat with backboard, unique cloth seat fabric (red/graphite combination), ‘PRO-4X' embroidered carpet floor mats, white face gauges, PRO-4X badge on lower front doors, outside temperature display on rearview mirror, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter with updated contrast stitching and seat embroidery.
Unique Xterra PRO-4X model performance equipment includes: 265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A off-road tires, rugged 16-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist (A/T only), electronic locking rear differential, automatic head lamps, high performance Bilstein gas-filled shocks and oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.
Two optional automatic transmission packages are available for 2013 – a 5-speed Automatic Transmission Package (Xterra S model only) with 5-speed automatic transmission and transmission cooler and an PRO-4X 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Package with 5-speed automatic transmission, transmission cooler, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.
The 2013 Xterra is available in seven exterior colours – Lava Red, Cayenne Red, Metallic Blue, Brilliant Silver, Night Armour, Super Black and Glacier White, and twi interior colours – Steel and Steel/Graphite.
2013 Nissan Xterra Specifications
| Engine | 4.0-litre DOHC V6 261 horsepower 281 lb-ft torque |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Five-speed electronically controlled automatic or Six-speed manual transmission |
| Frame | Fully boxed, all-steel (F-Alpha architecture, based on Nissan Armada) |
| Drive Configuration | Front engine 4WD, electronically controlled part-time transfer case Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control (TCS) Available advanced off-road traction capabilities PRO-4X A/T model includes Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) |
| Suspension | Independent double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs Rigid multi-leaf rear suspension Available high-performance Bilstein gas shock absorbers (PRO-4X) |
| Steering | Engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Brakes | Four-wheel disc with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Limited Slip Differential (ABLS) |
| Wheels/Tires | Up to 17-inch wheels with 265/65R17 tires |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in.) |
| Length | 4,540 mm (178.7 in.) |
| Width | 1,850 mm (72.8 in.) |
| Height | 1,903 mm (74.9 in.) |
| Select Exterior Features | Active, rugged exterior design with aggressive geometric fenders, angled strut-style grille, angled C-pillar with Nissan SUV signature high-mounted rear door handles, upgraded iconic roof rack with latchable lid for reduced wind noise, roof-rack integrated lights (PRO-4X trim). |
| Select Interior Features | NissanConnectSM with Navigation including 5.8-inch colour touch screen monitor, Nissan Voice Recognition audio and navigation, RearView Monitor, NavTraffic powered by SiriusXM, POIs powered by GoogleTM, and GoogleTM send-to-car, streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless technology, Hands-Free text messaging assistant (all available through the Navigation Package; PRO-4X), slide-on-rod style sun visors, Distinct Xterra stadium-style seating with kicked up roof, flat floor to allow easier loading, Utili-Track™ cargo area C-channel system with movable tie-down hooks to better secure large cargo, EZ-Clean washable cargo floor, fold-down front passenger seat, 60/40 split rear seat, double deck glove compartment, large centre console with multipurpose storage, auxiliary input, CD6 Rockford Fosgate audio system, leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, steering wheel controls with light, 3 x 12v power outlets. |
| Safety | Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seatbelt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor), three-point front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, standard supplemental front seat side-impact air bags, standard roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for all outboard passengers, standard supplemental curtain side-impact airbags (both rows), three-point seatbelts for all seat positions, including rear position, and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor system, adjustable front active headrests, dual note horn. |
| Models | 4WD drive configuration in a choice of S and PRO-4X trim levels |
| Manufacturing | Assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant |
