Nissan Xterra Breaks Ground

Fri., Feb. 11, 2000

Against all odds, Nissan manages this year to create a new niche in the sport-utility market. There’s also a new Sentra, an upgraded Altima and two new trucks. The zesty 2000 Xterra is priced to compete with the mini-sport-utes but offers the room and utility of a compact SUV.

Based on the Frontier compact pickup, it’s only marginally smaller than its upscale sibling, the Pathfinder, and offers as an option a 170-hp, 3.3-liter V-6. It’s packed with features cherished by the outdoors set and is tremendously capable off-road, but scraps the luxury features that have driven up sport-ute prices.

The Xterra features a tiered roofline, beefy, powder-coated roof rack and rugged body cladding. It’s offered in two trim levels and can be purchased as a base XE or sporty SE with two- or four-wheel drive, a fourcylinder or V-6 engine and a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

A handsome and all-new Sentra is due at dealerships March 1. Based on a new global platform, the Sentra is available this year only as a sedan. Engine choices include the base 1.8-liter inline four that makes 126 hp, and a 2-liter four that makes 145 hp. Multiparabola halogen headlamps are standard on all models. Front-seat side airbags and ABS are available on the two uplevel trim levels, GSE and SE.

The Altima gets substantial refinements this year. There’s an aggressive front fascia, new grille and integrated clear-lens headlights. The front has a pronounced rake and a new rear fascia includes bright-red taillights, a decklid finisher and two inches of increased length.

Engine refinements bring more horsepower and low-end torque. Noise, vibration and harshness levels are reduced and the four-wheel independent-strut suspension has been stiffened to increase responsiveness. A new acceleration-sensitive strut design (available with 16-inch wheels and tires only) automatically adjusts dampening firmness to improve handling.

Nissan’s pickup line expands to include the affordable new Desert Runner and fourdoor Frontier Crew Cab. The Desert Runner is a two-wheel-drive V-6 King Cab designed to appeal style-conscious folks who occasionally go off-road. Based on the 4WD Frontier, it offers the same rigidity, ride height, ground clearance and rugged looks as its 4WD siblings.

Nissan’s Crew Cab was first to offer four full-sized, forward-hinged doors. Its bed is about 18 inches shorter than the standard Frontier, but a bed extender is available.

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