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2008 Nissan Xterra Safety Review

July 6, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars, front impact; five stars, side impact; three stars, rollover rating
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset impact and side impact with side airbags; "marginal," side impact without side airbags
IIHS

All Xterras come equipped with stability control and antilock disc brakes
Edmunds

The 2008 Nissan Xterra has been tested by both the NHTSA and IIHS for crashworthiness, and the two agencies award the Nissan Xterra above-average crash safety scores.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency responsible for issuing crash safety ratings, gives the Nissan 2008 Xterra four out of a possible five stars for occupant protection during front impacts, while the Xterra receives a full five stars for side impact occupant protection. The one lagging score is the rollover rating, where the Xterra scores only three out of five stars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) affirms the NHTSA ratings, for the most part. The Nissan Xterra earns the highest possible rating from the IIHS, "good," for frontal offset impacts. When equipped with the optional array of side airbags, the Nissan Xterra also receives a "good" rating for side-impact protection. However, the absence of these airbags drops the rating to "marginal," the second-worst of the IIHS ratings. Some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, including the one by Cars.com, note that "despite the fact that the Xterra has active head restraints--which are designed to decrease the chance of whiplash in a rear-end collision--the SUV received a Poor overall score in an IIHS rear crash test."

Aside from crash-test ratings, the scores in the safety category reflect the available safety features on a vehicle. In the case of the Nissan 2008 Xterra, all the expected safety features are present, along with some extras for the off-road bunch. Edmunds reviewers write "all Xterras come equipped with stability control and antilock disc brakes," while Kelley Blue Book notes that "the Xterra Off Road model includes electronic Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist." Other standard safety features as listed by Cars.com include "electronic brake-force distribution, an electronic stability system and active head restraints for the front seats," while they say that the optional safety features list begins and ends with "side-impact and side curtain airbags" that "are bundled together in an option package that's offered on all trim levels."

Another vital aspect of the safety rating is driver visibility, which is commendable on the 2008 Nissan Xterra. While ConsumerGuide writes, "visibility is hampered by the rear roof styling and wide-base windshield wipers," other reviewers disagree. Car and Driver, in particular, raves about the "unimpeded view from commanding driving position" that the 2008 Nissan Xterra offers.

Conclusion

The 2008 Nissan Xterra requires the optional airbags to reach its full safety potential, but when properly equipped, it is an impressively safe vehicle.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars, front impact; five stars, side impact; three stars, rollover ratingNHTSAGood," frontal offset impact and side impact with side airbags; "marginal," side impact without side airbagsIIHSAll Xterras come equipped with stability control and antilock disc brakesEdmunds The 2008 Nissan Xterra has been tested by both the NHTSA and IIHS for crashworthiness, and the two agencies award the Nissan Xterra above-average crash safety scores. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency responsible for issuing crash safety ratings, gives the Nissan 2008 Xterra four out of a possible five stars for occupant protection during front impacts, while the Xterra receives a full five stars for side impact occupant protection. The one lagging score is the rollover rating, where the Xterra scores only three out of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) affirms the NHTSA ratings, for the most part. The Nissan Xterra earns the highest possible rating from the IIHS, "good," for frontal offset impacts. When equipped with the optional array of side airbags, the Nissan Xterra also receives a "good" rating for side-impact protection. However, the absence of these airbags drops the rating to "marginal," the second-worst of the IIHS ratings. Some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, including the one by Cars.com, note that "despite the fact that the Xterra has active head restraints--which are designed to decrease the chance of whiplash in a rear-end collision--the SUV received a Poor overall score in an IIHS rear crash test." Aside from crash-test ratings, the scores in the safety category reflect the available safety features on a vehicle. In the case of the Nissan 2008 Xterra, all the expected safety features are present, along with some extras for the off-road bunch. Edmunds reviewers write "all Xterras come equipped with stability control and antilock disc brakes," while Kelley Blue Book notes that "the Xterra Off Road model includes electronic Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist." Other standard safety features as listed by Cars.com include "electronic brake-force distribution, an electronic stability system and active head restraints for the front seats," while they say that the optional safety features list begins and ends with "side-impact and side curtain airbags" that "are bundled together in an option package that's offered on all trim levels." Another vital aspect of the safety rating is driver visibility, which is commendable on the 2008 Nissan Xterra. While ConsumerGuide writes, "visibility is hampered by the rear roof styling and wide-base windshield wipers," other reviewers disagree. Car and Driver, in particular, raves about the "unimpeded view from commanding driving position" that the 2008 Nissan Xterra offers. ConclusionThe 2008 Nissan Xterra requires the optional airbags to reach its full safety potential, but when properly equipped, it is an impressively safe vehicle.  2008 NISSAN XTERRA STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "If you like your SUV to look tough, the Xterra has toughness in spades" ConsumerGuide: "Audio controls are easy to reach" Kelley Blue Book: "Looks as if it were born to be a long way from pavement" The 2008 Nissan Xterra ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Until the Toyota FJ Cruiser arrived a couple of years ago, the Nissan Xterra was in a class itself, the only model appealing to young people who not only wanted off-road capability but an interior versatile and rugged enough for taking along equipment. The FJ Cruiser is even more of a mountain goat off-road, but its interior is tighter and not as useful or versatile as the Xterra's. The new Wrangler Unlimited is much larger than the model it replaces and upholds much higher standards of safety and refinement than the old one; with its very boxy, rugged styling, it's perhaps the main alternative to the 2008 Nissan Xterra. Finally, for those who don't need rugged off-roading ability but still want a high-utility, easy-to-clean interior, the fuel-efficient Honda Element might just fit their needs.

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See the Nissan Xterra in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

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