Charging across terrain

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CHOP STICKS: Leaf-sprung rear makes the Xterra a little uncomfortable on the road, but that makes it all the better off-road.

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Steering wheel comes straight out of the 350Z and adds a little interest to an otherwise dull interior.

Ignore the name, the Nissan Xterra is really the true successor to the old Pathfinder. Tom Bird steps behind the the wheel.

When Nissan launched the current Pathfinder into the market back in 2006 it didn't go down well with the faithful owners of the old model. They liked the old car's no-nonsense ability to tackle sand or rocks with just a shrug of the shoulders and a get-on-with-it attitude, and the new model just doesn't compare. It's too big, too heavy and too car-like to cut it on the rough stuff.

But now, Nissan has something to placate the masses that have in the past been flocking to rival dealers in search of something more suitable.

The Xterra has been around in the US since 2000, with the current model launching in 2005 - so has the three year delay before it arrived here been worth the wait?

Initial impressions are good, the Xterra forgoes any superfluous styling with a bluff front end, oversized wheel arches and deep bumpers to indicate that this machine deserves to get dirty. The step in the roofline means that rear seat passengers sit higher in ‘stadium seating' without affecting headroom. Chunky roof bars are fitted, and there's a useful step cut into the side of the rear bumper to enable you to reach up onto the roof and lash down extra kit.

Inside, big chunky seats feature in an otherwise uninteresting interior - but there's everything you'd need in here, including a decent stereo, strong air con and the all-important dial to switch from rear-wheel drive to low-range four-wheel drive.

We've yet to give the Xterra a decent pounding off road, but the high ground clearance and good approach and departure angles offered lead us to believe that it'll be pretty capable.

The 4.0-litre V6 is very strong, and the five-speed automatic is good, changing gears smoothly without any drama. However, not everything is rosy. Because of the leaf-sprung rear suspension, the Xterra's ride becomes extremely choppy at high motorway speeds. If the boot's full, the effects won't feel so pronounced - but who drives with the full complement of camping kit in their car everyday?

You shouldn't let this issue put you off the Xterra - it deserves your attention if you're looking for a proper off-roader. The only question is why it took Nissan so long to bring it to the region.

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