The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

When I walked around the Xtrerranew Xterra for the first time, I noticed a step integrated into the rear bumper to reach the roof rack. Practical.

But when I looked at how high off the ground the vehicle’s roof rack was, I suddenly understood the possible use for the standard first-aid kit.

Oh sure, there’s a handy basket to stow wet stuff, just like the previous Xterra. And it now has a lid. But who, aside from an NBA star, will have the ability to reach it? Heck, there wasn’t even a running board on this thing, meaning you practically had to pole vault into the cab.

Indeed, the Xterra is high and mighty, built for the 5 percent of SUV drivers who might actually go off-road, and not for those who merely crush the rhododendron at the end of the driveway.

The Xterra has always been a bit of a rude ride.

Its outlandish style made it stand apart from the pack, while endowing it with a tough-guy image. That helped mask the rather crude ride from its unrefined chassis, shared with the el-cheapo Nissan Frontier pickup.

So how true is the Xterra to its forebear?

The Xterra now employs Nissan’s ”F-Alpha” platform, which underpins the full-size Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV.

The ride is noticeably better, although still definitely truck-like.

That means a kidney-loosening ride over rough roads with lots of nose-dive in hard braking. The vehicle never truly feels planted, never giving the driver a sense of security on the highway that other SUVs do. But off road, it proved its mettle.

The Xterra features a part-time four-wheel-drive system, with electronic stability control and hill-descent control. Anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution are standard to ensure short, panic-free emergency stops. They worked well.

But under the hood, the Xterra has thankfully turned up the juice.

The first Xterra was easily winded, unless you opted for the supercharged V-6, which at 210 horsepower was just about cutting it. The new 4-liter double-overhead-cam V-6 is derived from the Nissan 350Z, Maxima and Altima. It’s fed through a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.

There are three trim levels, S, Off-Road and SE, all available in two-wheel- or four-wheel-drive with either transmission. If there is one place where Nissan excels, it’s here. The drivetrain is just as sweet as it is in those rides, with plenty of smooth power on tap, as well as plenty of refinement.

All that power is housed in fresh sheet metal, which clearly looks new while keeping most of the looks of the old Xterra. The new Xterra feels bulkier going down the road than the old one, but that’s understandable given the new Xterra’s dimensions. The 2005 Xterra’s wheelbase has been extended 2 inches, although overall length is only two-tenths of an inch longer. But the Xterra is 2.4 inches wider and a half-inch taller.

That translates into a roomy cabin, with an inch more leg room in front, and one-and-a-half inches more leg room in the second row. There is no third row seating. Instead there’s room for ”all the things that accompany active lives,” according to Nissan.

That may sound like hype, but Nissan fitted the Xterra with its ”Utili-track” system. These tracks in the cargo floor, along with the 10 utility hooks located throughout the cargo area, make it easy to secure gear. The second row seats fold easily for added room.

Piloting the Xterra proved that the cabin was fairly comfy up front, with supportive seats covered in a unique cloth that was funky and comfortable.

The rear seat was a little low and leg room a little tight. The rear door openings are especially narrow at the bottom, making getting in particularly difficult.

The Xterra’s dash is similarly funky and tough, finished in plastics that are hard, durable and cost-efficient. The climate controls are an accountant’s dream, being some of the flimsiest I have ever seen.

Better not to think about it, but, instead, turn on the $900 optional 300-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system, supplemented by the optional $400 XM satellite radio package. While XM proved essential, the audio system proved bass-heavy and lacking in mid-range sound. But most buyers won’t notice.

The 2005 Xterra is not for the faint of heart, but its under-$30,000 sticker, tough persona and off-road agility make it an interesting alternative.

Just watch your step when stowing your stuff.

lprintz@mcall.com

610-820-6713 Email:larry.printz@mcall.com