Should You Take the 2010 Nissan Xterra Off Road?
The 2010 Nissan Xterra is a good choice for off-roading, provided you’re able to find a vehicle that’s in good condition.
With a truck frame and an off-road trim option, the 2010
Nissan Xterra
can definitely hold its own as an off-roading vehicle.Off-roading has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason: it’s really fun! Still, before you hit the trail, it’s important to make sure that your vehicle is well-equipped for driving off the pavement.
Jerry
, the super app
for car insurance
savings, is here to break down some of the features that make the 2010 Nissan Xterra a great off-roading option. We’ll discuss things like ground clearance, tires, and the vehicle’s overall rating, as well as providing some other vehicle options that you might want to consider.Can the 2010 Nissan Xterra go off road?
The short answer? Yes—the 2010 Nissan Xterra is a good choice for people looking for an off-road adventure without breaking the bank.
The 2010 Xterra had a starting price of $22,750 when it was new, but since you’ll almost certainly be buying used, you can probably find one for a much lower price. The Kelley Blue Book, for example, estimates the price of a used 2010 Xterra as $8,280. This makes the 2010 Xterra extremely affordable as far as off-road vehicles go.
There are other things that make the Xterra a good vehicle for off-roading too, though! Some of the specs to consider include:
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Ground Clearance
Ground clearance is extremely important for off-roading since you’ll need to be able to drive over obstacles and uneven ground. The 2010 Xterra has a ground clearance of 9.5 inches, which is considered ideal for off-road driving.
Typically, it’s recommended that your off-road vehicle has a ground clearance of 8.8 inches to 10.8 inches, so the Xterra definitely falls into that range. Remember, the higher your ground clearance, the better your car will be for off-road driving since you’ll be able to clear larger objects in your path.
Torque
Torque
is also an important factor in your car’s off-road ability. It’s best to opt for vehicles with low-end torque, meaning cars that have high torque at low RPMs. This gives you more control when turning, which is really important off of the pavement when you have little traction.The 2010 Xterra gets a maximum torque of 281 at 4000 RPM, making it a good vehicle for off-road driving. This torque will give you good traction and control when turning, even on surfaces without much grip.
Tires
Speaking of grip, it’s time to think about tires. Having good tires is essential to safe off-road driving—the righttires can be the difference between traction and sliding. While the 2010 Xterra doesn’t automatically come with all-terrain tires, you can purchase all-terrain tires for your Nissan to make it more off-road friendly.
While your Nissan’s standard tires aren’t necessarily terrible for off-road driving, all-terrain tires are really what you want when you’re driving on uneven ground. They offer more grip so you’ll have more control over your vehicle.
Drivetrain
Unfortunately, this is an area for improvement with the Nissan Xterra. The 2010 Xterra is equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD), meaning that the engine drives the rear wheels while the front wheels roll along.
While this is definitely a better option than front-wheel drive, you really want a four-wheel drive (4WD) or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle for off-roading. 4WD and AWD both give you a lot more control than RWD, which is what you want when driving off of the pavement.
Angles
Angles are very important in off-road driving. There are two angles you need to worry about:
- The approach angle: the maximum angle at which your car can continue to climb up an incline
- The departure angle: the maximum angle at which your car can continue to move down a decline
The 2010 Nissan Xterra has an approach and departure angle of 33.2º and 29.4º, respectively. These angles wouldn’t be bad for an AWD vehicle, but they’re not ideal for a RWD car. This is one of those categories where the Xterra achieves mediocre results for off-road driving.
Off-road rating: Rough and ready
We’ve rated the 2010 Nissan Xterra using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below: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 |
The 2010 Xterra receives an R rating for off-road adventure. While the Xterra has some great qualities that make it a good off-road car, you really want a vehicle with AWD for your off-road experience. Additionally, you’ll likely want to purchase new tires to make your car compatible with the off-road terrain, making the vehicle more expensive.
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The best off-road alternatives to the 2010 Nissan Xterra
Curious about your other options? We’ve compiled a list of some comparable vehicles along with their strengths and weaknesses.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best truck alternative | 2010 Honda Ridgeline | $28,450 | The Ridgeline is technically a truck, but it still has decent off-road abilities along with additional storage in the bed. |
Best drivetrain alternative | 2011 Subaru Tribeca | $30,495 | While it doesn't have great ground clearance for off-roading, the 2011 Tribeca is equipped with 4WD, meaning you’’ll have a lot more control over your car. |
Best off-road alternative | 2009 Jeep Liberty | $23,015 | The 2009 Liberty can come with RWD or 4WD, it has good torque, and is generally regarded as a great off-road option. |
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Finding the right insurance for off-road vehicles
Unfortunately, there is another hurdle to consider when choosing the perfect off-road vehicle: your
car insurance
. Insuring an off-road vehicle can be expensive due to the increased risk to your car and your own safety.Fortunately, the
Jerry
app can help you find the lowest rates in a matter of minutes. Simply download the app and take a 45-second survey to tell us a little about what you want from your insurer, and Jerry will produce a customized list of policy options that fit your needs.The best part? The average user saves over $800 per year.
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