With a decent ground clearance and outdoorsy features, the V6-powered 2008 Nissan Xterra
is an SUV built to handle all types of roads. Upgrade your Xterra’s trim level to get four-wheel drive (4WD) as a standard feature and utilitarian touches like a roof rack, step rails, and a first aid kit. Think of the Xterra as the Pathfinder's
little sister: a boxy, trucklike body style with agile, off-road capabilities. Spanning two generations from 1999 to 2015, the Xterra brought great handling and versatility to the SUV game. In fact, it’s one of the few SUVs in its class to offer a manual transmission—much to the delight of many off-roading purists. Have your eye on the 2008 Nissan
Xterra? To help you learn more about what this particular model year has to offer in the way of off-roading is Jerry
, the super app
designed to save you money on car insurance
. We’ll go over some important off-roading specs for the Xterra to determine whether it’s a suitable off-roader, and help you find affordable coverage should you decide to make it your next vehicle. 
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowCan the 2008 Ford Nissan Xterra go off road?
It sure can. Take one look at the body-on-frame design of the Xterra and you can tell that it was built for a rugged journey. This is also evident in almost all trims of the Xterra’s interior—luxury-style features like leather seats and plush carpeting are forgone in exchange for foldable seating and gas-pressurized shock absorbers.
The base model Xterra has a starting MSRP of $22,060 and comes in the following trims:
A 4-liter v6 engine powers all trims of the 2008 Xterra.
Several features contribute to making a car suitable for the wooded trails and you’ll want to be in the know about all of them before you head out on an off-roading adventure. Let’s break down the most important off-road specs and see how the 2008 Xterra stacks up.
Ground clearance
Think about it: would you want to drive your vehicle through a bumpy forest road to the sound of its undercarriage scraping against every rock in its path? If you answered no, then the best way to avoid this vehicle-damaging situation is to go off-roading in a vehicle that has a good amount of ground clearance.
The 2008 Nissan Xterra has a ground clearance range of 8.3 to 9.5 inches depending on the trim level you choose. Experts advise that the ideal off-roader should have a minimum ground clearance of 8.8 inches. While this means that all trims of the Xterra can handle off-road conditions, you’ll want to upgrade to the Off-Road trim to access the maximum 9.5-inch clearance height.
Torque
The best off-road vehicles have what’s known as low-end torque. In other words, they generate a lot of torque at a lower rpm, which helps the vehicle have more power and precision as it turns on the trail.
The 2008 Nissan Xterra produces 281 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. While this is a solid statistic, it’s not textbook low-end torque—that figure settles between about 2,000 and 3,000 rpm.
Tires
The 2008 Nissan Xterra rides on all-terrainP265/70R16 tires which have a large tread, helping the Xterra maintain traction on rough roads.
The Nissan Xterra is known for being an outdoorsy rider but is also praised for its driveability on the highway. This is a bonus for drivers who must travel many highway miles to reach their off-roading destinations.
Drivetrain
Arguably one of the most important specs in off-roading is the drivetrain. 4WD or AWD is crucial to being able to off-road well, whereas front-wheel or rear-wheel drivetrains have a harder time handling rugged terrain.
The only 2008 Xterra trim that comes with 4WD as a standard feature is the Off-Road. All other models have the option to upgrade to 4WD for an additional $2,000.
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Start earning nowAngles
Another spec to consider when choosing an off-road vehicle is angles—more specifically the approach angle and departure angle. Let’s go over what these terms mean:
Approach angle: the maximum upward angle your vehicle can climb without ground interference
Departure angle: the maximum downward angle your vehicle can travel without ground interference
The 2008 Nissan Xterra has an approach angle of 30.5 degrees and a departure angle of 27.3 degrees—quite good for going off-road. Vehicles with larger approach and departure angles can handle uneven or steep inclines or declines that you are likely to encounter off trail.
Off-road rating: Trail boss
To determine just how good of an off-roader the 2008 Nissan Xterra is, we’ve used Jerry’s
technical DIRT rating system. Here’s how it works: | | |
|---|
| | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
| | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
| | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
| | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The 2008 Nissan Xterra earns a T ratingif you’re driving the Off-Road trim. While all trims of the Xterra have the trucklike frame that’s ideal for off-roading, the Off-Road has the highest ground clearance of all the trims at 9.5 inches and is the only trim that has 4WD as a standard feature.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2008 Nissan Xterra
If you’re looking for an affordable, sturdy SUV that can tackle all kinds of terrain, the 2008 Xterra is a fine choice—especially if you go with the Off-Road trim. Depending on your needs, here are some of our top picks for alternatives to the 2008 Xterra:
| | | |
|---|
Best affordable alternative | | | This midsized pickup is economical while still boasting 210 horsepower and a 3.7-liter V6 engine. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | | | The Commander doesn't mess around off-road thanks to its burly 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine and 357 horsepower. |
| | | Similarly priced and known for its ability to run for hundreds of thousands of miles, the Liberty's V6 engine and 210 horsepower can fulfill a variety of off-roading needs. |
MORE:Cheap off-road trucks
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
A vehicle that’s primed for adventure deserves the protection that only a quality insurance policy can afford. To find the best coverage prices quickly and easily, look no further than Jerry
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