I love my FJ but have driven a 2007 XTerra before and read about both trucks in various magazines. Personally i think the FJ has the advantage when it comes to off-roading (locker, A-Trac, etc.) and it looks better (just my opinion). The Xterra wins when it comes to highway ride quality and power and maybe when it comes to convenience simply because it has full doors in the rear. As far as quality and reliability go I would say they are fairly similar although I still trust Toyota's overall reputation for building quality vehicles more than Nissan.

IMHO I would say from the factory the Xterra is the truck for you if you want an SUV that rides nice on a long road trip and will occasionally encounter some dirt roads or snow and ice. The Fj is a better choice if you want to tackle some real offroading and want your rig to last a long time. Of course either vehicle can be modified to have more clearance, power, flex, etc. ... although I would think there are more aftermarket parts readily available for the FJ than the Xterra.

If you really love the FJ just get another one (I think several members have more than one in the household) that way you could really go nuts modding one of them and keep the other mild mannered for the road. If you want some variety I think the Xterra would be a nice way t get some variety without having to go with a Rogue or something.

 

That is an outstanding post, Ranger92! Although I have never owned a Xterra, I did take one for a somewhat lengthy test drive and I have two close friends who both currently own one. I was very close to buying one UNTIL I knew I could get my hands on the exact FJ I wanted AND a the price I was willing to pay! Based on what I know, I have to agree with everything Ranger92 said about both vehicles.

IMHO, if you were to become a two-FJ household, having one modded and one stock sounds like a great compromise to me. Of course, on the other hand, if you want some variety, I think adding a Xterra to your vehicle mix is a sound choice, as well. To sum it all up, I don't think you can wrong with either decision. Best of luck in your decision making and let us know what you settle on!

 

if you want to mod your vehicle, hands down the FJ is your choice. the aftermarket discrepancy between the 2 is astronomical. that said, you can't go wrong with either vehicle, and the Xterra will give you a larger gas tank as well, if you're more into the expedition type driving/trails.

if you're willing to shell out a little more, you may even want to consider a 4Runner, which would suit my needs better than either the FJ or Xterra at this point.

 

I'll add a couple more observations -

The Xterra recommends regular no lead, not premium. Has a passenger front seat back that folds flat to accept long objects in the truck, has a fold flat floor in the rear, and has more tie downs, and the track system in the load floor that allows greater tie down flexibility. Also has regular rear doors and a lift gate rear door.

Having said all that - I liked the FJ "unique" looks - the FJ doesn't look like every other SUV on the planet, liked the "wipe it down" simplicity of the interior, I also have had a lot of experience with Toyota reliability and none from Nissan.

I've driven two 2200 mile round trips, and one 2700 mile round trip drive with the FJ - no complaints with comfort, hauling or passing power.

 

They are both great trucks, and I don't think you can go wrong with either. That said, my money went to the FJ. Nissan makes some good stuff, but I don't think their quality is on par with Toyota. My .02:cheers:

 

The XTerra OffRoad model is a really capable vehicle.

 

I owned a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder since new until I bought my FJ in March this year. I got to say, Nissan's are reliable trucks. (Xterra is what the Pathfinder WAS until they made it a unibody in 1996.)

I think the one thing the Xterra has that the FJ doesn't is the interior cargo length with the seats folded down. I have found myself missing that several times (hauling ladders, lumber, etc.)

Other than that, I think it may be the only head to head truck comparison out there with an FJ. I think you would be pleased with either....most likely comes down to size (length), full rear doors, and sunroof option on xterra.

I got to say, road manner wise, I have no highway complaints on my FJ yet at all - its like a damn Lincoln at 90mph!

Good luck on the decision.

 

Unique Xterra Off-Road model performance equipment includes 265/75R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A off-road tires, rugged 16-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control and Hill Assist, electronic locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein gas-filled shocks and oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.

I believe they have a Dana rear, I may be wrong though.

 

We have both. an 07 FJ and an 08 Xterra.

Here are my observations after putting 60k miles on the FJ and 30k miles on the Xterra

Off road - FJ. I have taken the FJ all over AZ, nothing extreme, places like Chiva and Gardner canyon, Madera canyon, Mogollon rim, etc...Only mod was BFG AT tires

On road comfort - Xterra

Road trips that dont involve wheeling - Xterra
Although we did take the Xterra through Colorado, on the trails in Ouray, Telluride, Gunnison area. We stuck to the Jeep roads, and were loaded with camping gear, bikes and 2 dogs.

Looks - FJ

Mileage - xterra might be 1 or 2 mpg better (2wd drive...dog and bike hauler), and xterra has larger gas tank

Dog / passenger friendly - Xterra

Fun to drive - FJ

Both are great vehicles in my opinion, but if I had to choose to keep only one, the FJ would keep it's place in the garage.

 

I guess it comes down to,do you what a truck or a sedan?FJ's are hard to beat in imo.

 

I know the FJ is full-time 4wd with the manual and part-time 4wd with the automatic. But what about the Xterra?

:cheers:

 

Xterra holds a golf bag horizontally while the FJ can handle the bag if placed diagonally.

 

This surprised me. The FJ appears to be wider externally, but the storage bin locations don't help the cargo utility.

 

I think you should just drive both and see what makes you smile more. They are very similar, although most say the FJ is slightly better off road and the Xterra slightly better on road. (Full disclosure I drive an Xterra) Many choose the Xterra because of the much better visibility and the "real" side doors. However, personally I love the FJ looks much more. Xterra aftermarket is gaining ground.

Here is mine. Many more mods to come but so far:

 

Thanks everyone!

My wife and I are going for an Xterra test drive this week...I love the FJ and she does not...we'll also be looking at the 4-runner, however it may be too much $.

Any experiences with the 6-speed Xterra?

RevX - nice rig...and tires. What are they and how do they compare noise wise to stock?

 

RevX - nice rig...and tires. What are they and how do they compare noise wise to stock?

Thanks. I've got a lot of work left to do. But I've got 33's, a 2" lift in the front, sliders, and a K&N CAI, custom DepHep rack, among a few other things. a 3-4" lift in the rear along with skids are next in line. Aftermarket front and rear bumpers can easily be found but with some wait time as there are only a few options, but do look pretty bad@ss when installed.

The tires are Firestone Destination MT's. They do hum like a MT, but not too bad at all. My wife doesn't mind it, and that is my real test. They are a fantastic tire though and grip everything! I took it on its first trip offroad this spring and I was impressed how the vehicle just went wherever it was pointed.

For more info (and this is not a commercial) check out thenewx.org We have just received word that the Xterra will be produced until at least 2011. :rocker:

 

On road - no idea about XTerra but I have no issue with my FJ on road... we just got back from an 800 mile trip, love the ride on my FJ.

Off road - slight advantage for the FJ. I have offroaded with many XTerra's and FJ's with my Jeep (my FJ is still an off road virgin :mecry and have always observed FJ's making obstacles a bit easier on the same trails.

 

This is a tough one. Personally I chose the FJC because I just KNEW it was the one I wanted. I'm happy with my choice and would make the same choice again in a heartbeat, but every review I've ever read is reflected in this thread. Basically each has it's positives and negatives and depending on your intended use, either could serve you just fine.

If I already owned an FJC and were looking for another vehicle to serve similar duties I'd just get another FJC. Of course if I had an XTerra and wanted another similar vehicle I'd get the XTerra. I look at it from the perspective that owning two of the same vehicles means you know the idiosyncrasies of that vehicle and it makes maintenance that much easier.

 

a guy here at work just bought a 09 X Off Road with tech pkg for a really good deal. actually he keeps talking about the damn thing! Personally I test drove that model for the fun of it and didn't like it.

I just purchased a 08 Titan Pro4x fully overloaded and after 1/2hr of negotiation with a bank check thrown at them they discounted the thing beyond anything I could imagine. They needed it off the lot.

My in-laws are Nissan fans from the sedans to the SUVs. One just bought a 09 Pathfinder LE 6cyl loaded and said they got a really good deal as well.

I think Nissan might be in trouble. I'm sure you can get a X for a really good price right now. But you gotta test drive both the FJ and X. I still look at them as different animals in a way. The X is definitly more family friendly. I'm not a fan of the FJ as a family truck at all. The suicide doors suck big time. I've come to hate them but... there are pros as well. good luck.

 

I think Nissan might be in trouble. I'm sure you can get a X for a really good price right now. But you gotta test drive both the FJ and X. I still look at them as different animals in a way. The X is definitly more family friendly. I'm not a fan of the FJ as a family truck at all. The suicide doors suck big time. I've come to hate them but... there are pros as well. good luck.

I agree with this statement right here. After 18 months with the FJ as a parent dropping kid off at school, the suicide doors do suck! I still love our FJC and still planning on keeping it for the long haul, but do wish for full 4 doors sometimes.

As far as mods, Jeep Wranglers are the ultimate vehicle for that purpose. The FJ would come in second.

And in my observations on the trails, as far as stock offroad capability, I would rank the best as the Jeep Rubicon model, follows by Mercedes GWagen G500, then FJC. I have never actually seen a Hummer H2 or H3 on the trails. H1 are very very capable but they don't make it for us civies anymore.

 

My wife and I went to the local dealers to try out a new Xterra and new 4Runner...they didn't have any!


We'll be contacting other dealers...but I don't think the deals are out there like they were this past fall and winter....no supply is not good even though the demand may not be great.

 

For whatever reason when I bought my Titan Pro4x the salesguy did tell me that the 2009 Nissan trucks are no longer available. Said whatever is left out there is what's out there. Production on trucks was cut more than half for 2009 he alleges. And from what I have seen i think its true as I've been to a few Nissan dealers and they either have no 09 trucks or they have left over 08 and 07 (!?) models.

My co-worker here who just bought a 09 X Off Road told me he got his for $5k off MSRP (I didn't ask him if that was cash back or what) and it was the last one on the lot. His came loaded it seems. Has tech pkg, tow pkg, etc... MSRP was $31.

My in law who bought a 09 Pathfinder LE 6cyl loaded said they did have like 5 more on the lot so that's how they got such a good deal on theirs.

The place where I bought my Titan had 2 Pathfinders on the lot but no X's. Actually all they had were cars and that FUGLY Cube... The salesman told me Aramada might be axed.

The Toyota dealer near me has no 4Runners (Haven't seen those in a while) but 5 Land Cruisers and 2 Sequoias that have been there since Feb. I bet you could get some type of deal on those but they are $60k+

If you can find an X you can get a deal. There are deals out there, you just have to be there at the right time. Good luck!

 

Xcrement here on the forums is a former XTerra guy. He wheeled his and now has a very nice FJ that he wheels as well. From what I gathered from him, if you are planning on doing after market mods on an Xterra, expect 1/4 of the available mods that cost 2 to 3 times as much as those for the FJ. Most FJ after market parts are shared with the Tacoma and other vehicles overseas that have a large offroad following. The Xterra is kinda out on its own as far as mods go.

RevX may also be able to add credence to this thought.

 

the xterra has four real doors, you can see out of it, and it can be modified to be very capable.

it is also cheaper and plastickier than the fj (sh!ttier).

 

I snapped the leaf spring on my Xterra making a left hand turn into a Home Depot parking lot.

I love my FJ.

 

Not sure this matters; but I believe that the x-terra is built on a car frame.

 

I had an Xterra when they first came out for a couple of years. It was a solid rig. It is built on a truck frame, that is why that back seat sets a little higher than the front. Tailgunner loved it when he was little because he could see better. Access is also better because of a real passenger door. I always liked the Xterra and still do but the FJ IS a better rig to wheel in. I would buy the FJ because of all the aftermarket mods available for that alone. I did see an Xterra in Durango with new axels, bigger tires and chopped wheel wells. It really looked good but would take a lot of work. I personaly like the wider stance of the FJ, it feels more stable in off camber situations. Bottom line, if you are not going to wheel to extremly and want a capable rig that will save you some money, the Xterra is worth a look. But be warned, if you start off roading and get the bug and want to take it further... the FJ is the only way to go. I believe Montana would also concur! TanaJ

 

Bottom line, if you are not going to wheel to extremly and want a capable rig that will save you some money, the Xterra is worth a look. But be warned, if you start off roading and get the bug and want to take it further... the FJ is the only way to go. I believe Montana would also concur! TanaJ

I wouldn't say the FJ is the only way to go.

 

I go wheeling with an Xterra group often. Both are great vehicles :bigthumb:

 

I like Xterras. They have strong roof racks.

 

I like your attitude.

My intention was to post pics of modified rigs (offroad with rear locker) to show that the X can be "taken further" for offroad purposes. I wanted to show that modifications do in fact exist and that when done properly the X is a fantastic offroad vehicle that can keep up with the rest. If you check out thenewx.org you will find the 2nd gen Xterra in some amazing places (and the 1st and 2ng gen Xterras are very different).