Nissan obviously wants to send a message to recent upstart rivals like the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, and Jeep Liberty. The message is clear: Nissan knows that yesterday's hot new truck can rapidly become tomorrow's tired old dog. The list of changes for 2002 is not only long, but significant as well. It includes the availability of a supercharged V6, new front-end styling, a new hood, 17-inch wheels and off road tires, three new exterior colors, new trim colors, a radically revised interior, new dual-stage airbags, new rear child seat anchors, an optional "Enthusiast Package" for dyed-in-the-wool off-roaders, and some changes to option packages in general. 

Our test vehicle was an Xterra SE, with a supercharger helping to motivate all 4 wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. We were shocked to receive a copy dressed in the new "Shock Blue" color accented by a dark titanium-colored exterior trim. As appealing as it was to look it, we were most eager to explore the heart of the beast, its supercharged V6.

Nissan opted for an Eaton M62 Roots-type supercharger, which is a first in a compact SUV. This is the very same set-up offered as part of an option package in Nissan's Frontier pickup truck. However, unlike the Frontier, Nissan offers Xterra drivers supercharger a la carte, very much in keeping with Xterra's motto, "everything you need, nothing you don't." 

The addition of the blower nets 210 horsepower and 246 ft-lbs of torque when paired with the 4-speed automatic transmission. (Torque is limited to 231 ft-lbs when the 5-speed manual transmission is selected.) These ratings represent increases of 40 horses and 46 ft-lbs over the motor's naturally aspirated sibling.

The Xterra can be had in either 2- or 4-wheel-drive form. Nissan claims that fuel economy takes less than a 10 percent hit in 4-wheel-drive form, but we reported a paltry 11.7 mpg during an admittedly spirited test drive, some of which was off the pavement. 
 

From the rear nothing appears to be much different than the 2001 model, but a simple peek up front, or under the hood, or inside the cabin tells a far different tale.

Environmental sanity is maintained somewhat by the fact that the supercharger operates only under wide-open-throttle conditions. During normal driving, a bypass valve diverts excess air back into the supercharger inlet and is recirculated. This essentially means that during everyday driving, the 3.3-liter V6 operates as a naturally aspirated motor with supercharged thrust on demand. 

And demand it we certainly did. There's zero lag with this supercharged setup, in contrast with exhaust-driven turbo setups, which sometimes feature lag times long enough to make you forget why you were in such a hurry to begin with. Floor it around town, and you'll be pulling the seat pattern imprint off of your back while your ears adjust to the high-pitched whine of mechanically-driven forced air induction. We found great usable power during stoplight-to-stoplight city driving. Where the engine gets a bit wheezy is at higher speeds. On the highway, the advantage of the supercharger becomes less apparent, though if you leave it to your ears, they'll tell you the unit is performing just fine, thank you.

The fact that the supercharger operates only at wide-open-throttle can confuse the transmission at times. Place your foot somewhat aggressively on the gas pedal and then back off and you'll find that the automatic transmission handles your fickle input quite abruptly as it tries to cope with a quick boost on/boost off situation. Thinking about calling the wedding off because of this herky jerky behavior? Just be considerate about not sending too many mixed messages and the relationship will flourish. 

One other issue that arises due to the additional power afforded by the supercharger is stopping power. We think that 40 extra horses warrant beefier brakes. The front disc/rear drum architecture just isn't going to make the mustard, though we are sensitive to cost containment issues. 

On road, the ride is exceptionally smooth with one caveat…make sure the pavement you're driving on is smooth as well. On rough or undulating surfaces the Xterra gets a bit jittery, reminding you that despite the SUV sheet metal, fancy interior bits, and hip nom de guerre, the Xterra's DNA is transplanted straight from the Frontier. This can be a blessing or a curse depending on how the driver is wired. If to you the phrase "off-road" means "on the driveway", "in the garage," or "sitting in the Starbucks parking lot", then you may want to run down to your nearest Ford or Mazda dealer and check out the Escape and Tribute respectively. 

Don't run into those showrooms just yet though. If you're looking for a capital-T Truck, read on. You see, we went off-roading, ooo la la, oh my my. With the exception of a bit of scrabbling for purchase in a few ruts while heading up a steep hill, the Xterra shines when 4-lo is called upon for dirt-and-brush excursions. The steering is set up perfectly for off-road duty, with the right amount of play and self-centering. The off-road tires work exceptionally and gobble up rocks, ruts, dips, twists, and hills eagerly. Take that you street-tired Mercedes MLs and BMW X5s! 

The Xterra, in fact, has developed a cult off-road following that was once the exclusive reserve of Jeep owners. Nissan has capitalized on that fact by offering an Enthusiast Package for 2002. The package is available only on XE V6 4WD models and includes ceiling tie clamps, a first aid kit, tilt wheel, fog lights, front tow hooks, map lights, a limited-slip-differential, manual-locking hubs, and rubber floor mats. How's that for hardcore!? 

Yes, the new Xterra has all the right spice with more power, more fun, and more drive, but there's plenty of sugary sex appeal here as well. 

First there's the Shock Blue paint which seems to do exactly that. We had people asking, "What is that color!?" We suspect some were lovingly attached while others were making mental note of the "Shock Blue" name so they could write nasty letters to Nissan. Others simply said, "I didn't know Xterras came in that color." Like it or hate it, the bright blue is going to get you noticed. 
 

New round headlamps with titanium surrounds are the trademark of the new Xterra  face, but some will say it's a Jeep Liberty knockoff. Large 17-inch wheels carry little  circular divots in keeping with the Xterra's newfound round theme.

Then there's the new front end. Round headlights with a thick surrounding frame are the first thing you'll notice. A new front fascia with a flying "V" grille and large round fog lights complete the treatment. The front end can lend itself to looking a bit plasticky, but we think that the Tonka Truck look works quite well here. There's true design here unlike some offerings (cough, cough…Aztek). Look up above the headlights and you'll notice a new hood complete with a 48mm raised "power bulge" center section, necessitated by the entertaining new supercharger. New 17-inch wheels and dark titanium finish on the plastics used on the exterior complete the new exterior treatment. 

Step inside the cabin, and you'll notice that the entire interior is different. Roundish HVAC control and a new instrument panel with round "cockpit-like" gauges stand out. Our SE's gauges were a pleasing blue color. Nissan did a fabulous job with continuity of design with the new Xterra. The circular theme is carried out inside and out and doesn't look retrofitted or crudely pieced together. Circles simply abound everywhere. 
 

New gauges take on a cockpit feel and have blue backgrounds with clear markings.

Plant your butt in the driver's seat and you'll notice some very comfortable seats with new fabric. Our truck had black perforated cloth that felt almost like neoprene. Through the perforations a bluish fabric can be seen underneath. It's not Shock Blue, not to worry. But it is a nice way of coordinating the inside with the exterior. During canyon driving we thought the seats could be a bit more supportive, but hey, Nissan never claimed that this SUV was raised by a family of sports cars like Brand X. 

A new 8-speaker stereo with a 6-disc in-dash changer came as standard fare on our tester. A-pillar-mounted tweeters stand out prominently, and the system itself sounds great. Lift the hatch, crank the volume, and you could have one stellar tail gate party!

On the left side of the steering wheel you'll see three buttons, and if you allow your hand to explore the reverse side of the wheel, a toggle button will make its tactile presence known. These are additional stereo controls, an amenity once found only on luxury cars. From this pod of satellite stereo buttons you can control a variety of functions including stereo mode, pre-set station select, and volume. Spend a bit of time in this Xterra and you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. 

Since your hands are already tinkering with steering-wheel buttons, move your hand to the right side of the steering wheel and you'll find a second pod of buttons. All the cruise control functions are carried over from the 2001 model, but one important function has been added…the on/off switch. No longer are you required to reach to the left side of the dash to turn it on and then set it with the steering wheel. Kudos to Nissan for paying attention to the details. 

Attention to detail is prevalent in many other interior improvements such as a 25 percent larger glove box, a map light with integrated compass, new pullout rear cup holders, four interior power points, and the replacement of the dash-mounted pull-and-twist parking brake with a foot-operated pedal. 

The new Xterra really does have more of what you need. Whether it's more power, more style, more interior, or more amenities, this Xterra builds upon an already great compact SUV. Oh, and did we mention it's got a supercharger?
 

-End

More Xterra:
· 2002 Xterra S/C Road Test Community Forum
· Specs
· Gallery
· Reserve an Xterra
 

Rocks for dinner…eat up!