is a great option for drivers looking to explore off the beaten path. Whether you’re new to off-road driving or an experienced adventurer, the Nissan Xterra is a great choice.

Off-roading can be really fun, but it can also be really dangerous if you’re in the wrong type of vehicle. There are lots of factors that can make or break your off-roading experience, and it’s important to consider them all when deciding whether or not to take your vehicle off road.

That’s why

Jerry

, the

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that saves drivers money on

car insurance

, is breaking down the 2004 Nissan Xterra off-road rating. We’ll discuss things like ground clearance, tires, and torque to give you all the information you need before hitting the trail in an Xterra.

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Can the 2004 Nissan Xterra go off-road?

The short answer—yes. You can take a 2004 Nissan Xterra off road.

Priced between $5,000 and $10,000 used, depending on your location and the truck’s condition, the 2004 Xterra is a great option for people looking to buy an off-road vehicle on a budget.

Still, before you rush out and get one, let’s take a closer look at some of the most important vehicle specs related to off-roading.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance is a really important factor when deciding whether or not a vehicle is suited for the trail. Ground clearance is the measurement of the distance between the ground and the vehicle chassis.

The 2004 Xterra has a minimum ground clearance of 9.6 inches, which is definitely within the recommended 8.8 to 10.8 inches required for off-road driving.

Remember, the higher the ground clearance on your vehicle, the less likely you’ll be to damage your car’s undercarriage by scraping or smashing it against an obstacle in your path.

Torque

When you’re driving off road, you want a vehicle with a good amount of low-end torque. This means that you’ll be able to use more engine power in lower gears to make tough turns and scale steep inclines.

With a maximum torque of 202 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM, the 2004 Xterra is a great option for off-roading. Ideal low-end torque would be below 2,000 RPMs, but the Xterra still bests many of its top competitors.

Tires

The Xterra comes equipped with P265/70R16 tires. This may not mean much to you, but the important thing to know is that these tires are

all-terrain tires

, which is exactly what you want for off-road driving.

All-terrain tires are designed to have great traction both on and off the pavement, so they’re ideal for drivers who want to split their time between the city and the wilderness. While they typically don’t last as long as a standard tire, they’re a great option for off-road driving due to their increased traction on uneven surfaces.

Drivetrain

The Xterra is a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This is good for off-roading since it gives the driver more control over the car.

You’ll be less likely to get stuck or lose traction when power is provided to all four wheels. Plus, you’ll have a much easier time driving in the snow.

Angles

Two important factors in determining a vehicle’s off-road abilities are the angle of approach and the angle of departure. Here’s more on each:

The angle of approach is the highest angle that your vehicle can climb without interference.

The angle of departure is the steepest angle at which your car can descend without interference.

The 2004 Xterra has an approach angle of 32 degrees and a departure angle of 27.3 degrees. This is excellent for off-road driving—it’s recommended that both angles fall between 20 to 30 degrees or more.

Higher angles allow the truck to conquer more terrain. You’ll be able to tackle hills that would otherwise be too dangerous or damaging to drive over.

Our off-road rating: Trail Boss

TL;DR: the 2004 Nissan Xterra’s off-road rating is T for Trail Boss.

We’ve classified the Xterra as a Trail Boss according to

Jerry’s

DIRT off-road rating system. Here’s what each classification means:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

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The Xterra was designed to be the ideal off-road vehicle and can take on tough trails more easily than most of its competition.

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The best off-road alternatives to the 2004 Nissan Xterra

Of course, the Nissan Xterra isn’t your only choice when it comes to off-road vehicle options. In fact, many critics compare the Xterra to the

Ford Explorer

. These vehicles are so similar that all of the top-rated alternatives for the 2004 Nissan Xterra are actually variations of the Explorer!

The following chart outlines the top 2004 Xterra alternatives for easy comparison:

Alternative	Model	Used Price per Edmunds	Description
Best alternative for commuters	2003 Ford Explorer Sport	$2,425–$3,907	With four-wheel drive, a comfortable interior, and a powerful engine, the 2003 Explorer Sport is a great option for off-roading, as well as your daily commute.
Most affordable alternative	2002 Ford Explorer Sport	$1,598–$2,586	Even cheaper than the 2004 Xterra, it’s an awesome option for a sportier off-road experience.
Best alternative for truck fans	2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac	$3,330–$5,096	If you want a truck but don’t want to give up the seating options in your SUV, the Explorer Sport Trac is a great alternative with a short bed in the rear.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

How to insure an off-road vehicle

Unfortunately, driving off road has some associated costs—including a higher

car insurance

rate. This is because off-roading is significantly riskier than driving on pavement.

Fortunately, however, the

Jerry

app can help you find the best rates available to you quickly and easily. All you need to do is download the app, take the 45-second survey, and choose from the resulting customized list of car insurance quotes tailored to your needs.

It’s quick, easy, and effective. Plus, users save an average of close to $900 per year by using Jerry!

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