Used Car Battle: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited vs. Nissan Xterra

Looking for an off-road SUV can confront you with many different choices on the market today. Two options you’re likely considering are a used Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and a Nissan Xterra. While both of these vehicles have a lot to offer buyers, we’re about to get into a showdown of which one offers you the best value for your money when it comes to used cars.

The Xterra has been around since 2000 and has been a popular vehicle among Nissan lovers and sports fans alike. After all, it gets its name from the XTERRA triathlon race that was sponsored by Nissan for several years. The Jeep Wrangler has been in production since 1986, so it’s had a little more history and time to evolve than the Xterra. The Jeep Wrangler has been wildly popular among Jeep fans, and its Unlimited version is no let down.

So when it comes to comparing these vehicles, we’ve compared several aspects of them that help narrow down who is the winner when it comes to this used car battle. Read on to discover what the Nissan Xterra and Jeep Wrangler both have to deliver.

Engines, Horsepower, and Towing

This is perhaps the place where the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and the Nissan Xterra are pretty matched. Newer used Jeeps feature 3.6L V6 engine while the Xterra has a 4.0L V6. What these means for fuel economy is that these two are pretty much even—the Jeep comes in at 21 MPG on the highway while the Xterra pushes that only slightly more at 22. So when you’re trying to decide between these two vehicles for your next used vehicle, consider that they are pretty much equal when it comes to what you’ll get in the fuel mileage department.

The horsepower and torque of these vehicles is moderately different. The Jeep Wrangler offers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque while the Nissan falls behind in the horsepower with 261 but ups the torque to 281 lb.-ft. So while you’re getting more horsepower with the Jeep, you’re getting slightly less torque, and with the Xterra it’s the opposite.

The towing capacity is where these vehicles differ the most. The Nissan Xterra can tow more than twice the amount that the Wrangler Unlimited can. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited can only tow 2,000 pounds while the Xterra can tow 5,000 pounds. This could make a pretty big difference depending on what you’ll be using this vehicle for. When you want something to purely off-road in, the Wrangler might be your best option. However, if you’re looking to travel with some pretty serious towing, the Xterra might be a better fit for you.

So with small differences in the fuel mileage and horsepower, the Jeep and the Nissan are matched. The towing capacity may make a big difference to buyers, so keep this in mind when shopping for your next used SUV!

Comparing Exterior

Let’s be honest—the Jeep looks like a Jeep. This is what Jeep fans love. They love that it has an almost truck-type look, they love the fact that they can remove the doors and roof to make off-roading even more fun and adventurous in the summertime, and they love that the interior is designed to handle pretty much anything.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a vehicle that looks like it can tackle about anything. What better way to be out off-roading than to actually be part of the action without your doors and top? The Xterra is a much more SUV-looking type vehicle and doesn’t offer you the option to remove the doors and tops. So although the Xterra does have some off-roading capabilities, it’s not meant to get down and dirty like the Jeep is out there.

Both the Wrangler and the Xterra offer skid plates, four-wheel drive (the Xterra comes with the option for rear-wheel drive as well), and a trailer hitch. Although the trailer hitch will cost you a little more with the Xterra than with the Jeep, but keep in mind that the Xterra can haul more weight.

The Jeep offers 10.5 inches of ground clearance while the Nissan falls a little short—the numbers are closer to 9 inches. This makes the Jeep more capable of attacking more versatile terrains than the Xterra.

The Xterra might be ideal if you don’t plan on using your vehicle for off-roading that often and would just like to have a sporty SUV that can handle a trailer with some weight on it as well as have the interior that your family needs. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited competes with the Xterra when it comes to the interior, however.

Comparing Interior

Let’s take a look inside these vehicles and see what they have to offer. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers leather seating on three of its four trim levels while the Xterra only has this option available for one of its trim levels. You’ll also have the option of a leather steering wheel with the Unlimited, something you won’t find on the Xterra. Although the Xterra offers a leather shift knob on the same model where you can get leather upholstery.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited comes with DVD audio as well as an integrated navigation system on more models. The Xterra only offers this on one of its models and you won’t find the DVD option there. The interior of the newer used Jeeps has been improved to be more comfortable and drive better on conventional roads despite its off-roading capabilities.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers up to seven speakers but the Nissan Xterra beats this out by offering nine. So if you’re a music fan, you might prefer the sound system of the Xterra. Both vehicles offer front bucket seats as well as heated seats, although again, the Xterra only offers this on one of its three trim levels. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited also features automatic temperature control, something the Xterra doesn’t have.

Technology

Both used vehicles will give you similar technology for your money, although the Jeep comes with more standard and available features such as heated door mirrors and the integrated navigation system. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited also offers sequential sport shift where the Xterra doesn’t. They both come in manual transmissions, however, and they both have limited slip differentials.

These vehicles are about equal when it comes to safety ratings. They incorporated technology such as electronic stability and traction control. The Jeep offers integrated rollover protection and brake assist, two things the Xterra lacks.

When you’re looking for your next used SUV, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers you more options and safety features in addition to the traditional Jeep feel that you’re looking for. While the Nissan Xterra comes close in some categories, it simply doesn’t offer everything the Jeep has to offer—the ability to remove the top and doors, better interior comfort, and more trim levels to choose from.

With the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, you’ve got options in addition to off-roading capabilities. Whether you’re looking to use this vehicle for some off-roading fun or for a daily commute, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited could be your next used SUV!