I have a 2011 Wrangler JK that I absolutely love! My wife and I are expecting twin boys mid January and I have a 10y/o son. So... I don't think the JK will work out for much longer... It's been great for the 3 of us though. My JK is my DD and my wife has the "family car"(2013 Hyundai Santa Fe). Getting a JKU isn't really in the cards right now because of the price... I've been looking at the Xterra... I'd be able to get a lightly used Xterra for not much out of pocket by trading in my JK for the next couple years until I can get a JKUnlimited.

My major thing is I need a reliable 4x4 that can get me through unplowed snow(and some trail riding) Until I can get another Jeep.

So any input would be appreciated!

Just bought a new 2014 pro 4 x a month ago. Love it so far. We had a couple inches of snow last week and it did great. I didn't put it in 4wd but it handled great.

I don't know anything about snow. But they handle mud just fine. They are a nice compromise for being both off road capable but not a TOTAL hog on road. Relatively simple cars too without too many unneeded bells and whistles.

4 years now on my 2010 model. 61K miles.  No problems.  I've done nothing to it except oil and lube, tires, and brakes, and other normal maintenance activities.

I've had it in some situations I shouldn't have been in...pushed so much mud with my front bumper once that I tore my front license plate off (never did find it), but it kept on going.  I frequently take it to my brother-in-law's camp.  The road to camp is a creek that you have to drive in at points.  Never had an issue and almost never have to use 4WD.  Plenty of room to carry supplies with the back seat folded down.

It doesn't caress you in luxurious isolation to the point that you feel as if you aren't involved in the driving experience, but it isn't so tiring that you can't take long trips in it.  It's not luxury car smooth, but coming from a JK, it'll be just fine (I had a TJ Wrangler before I got my Xterra and it was like upgrading from a Camry to a Lexus). The IFS makes it ride and drive much better than a Jeep with two solid axles.

Mine averages +/- 18 mpg or thereabouts. 265 horsepower 4 liter V6, 281 lb ft of torque, with a curb weight of just a tad over 4000 lbs.  Reluctant to downshift (gotta game that EPA cycle!), but once you put your foot down, it moves out pretty quick. I've pulled at least a couple of vehicles out of trouble that were bigger than mine and power was never an issue.

It is built on the same platform as the Nissan Titan/Frontier and has a fully boxed frame for strength.

There was a problem with the radiator/trans cooler mixing things up on the  2008 and earlier models, but it seems to be mostly sorted out after that. Nissan extended the warranty on the radiator/trans problem out to 80,000 miles for 100% of replacement coverage, and partial coverage to 100K miles. I'm not that worried about it myself, as very few 2010's have had issues.

Very happy with my Xterra and would buy another one again.

Depending on vintage, timing chain tensioner/chain replacement to the tune of $1350 to 2k.
2006 w 116miles getting it done too loud to stand.

Nissan is the devil.

I think my '03 is pretty great. The first gens look better than the second in my opinion. I average 17-18mpg. It is a great stock offroader, though I tend to get it stuck in mud quite badly.... but that's another story! Mine has a pretty plain interior, but the big storage space and stadium back seating is nice.

What years are you looking at? I have an original 2000 Xterra so I don't think I'll be much help.

Make sure you get one newer than 08.  There was a timing chain tensioner issue on earlier models.  the 265 hp V6 is great.  It can handle anything you throw at it.  I have the 05 model which was the first year of this gen.  I have taken it places that I should never have and have always kept going.  My biggest complaint has been that the rubber bumper things in the hood wear out fast and then the hood squeeks.  They are a cheap replacement though.

My 2002 is still rock'in

Real 4 wheel drive
Decent cargo space
Good ground clearance
What's not to like?

A few recalls. Nissan took care of them no problem

Gas consumption is so/so but then I have driven alot worse too.

All in all I love mine, and would deffintly  buy an other one

2013-14

Some of the 14's I'm looking at are around 23k. I'll be able to get about 19-21k for my JK

250K on my 03....other than normal maintenence no issues

They're not wide enough for three car seats. Ask me how I know.

Loved my 06 but it was too small and got terrible gas mileage. Get a Tahoe and call it a day.

Get the pro 4x.  Having a rear locker is better than not having one.

I"m on my second Gen 2 X.   Love 'em.

Put 215k miles on my first one and currently have 110k miles on my 2010.  No major issues other than changing the timing belt at 200k on my first one.

I love the driver side lumbar support, 260hp and the dynamic vehicle control rocks.  I was entering a highway and punched the throttle, hit a patch of black ice and immediately went sideways with three lanes of traffic coming at me.   Kept my foot on the throttle and the wheel pointed in the direction I wanted to be going and VDC took over from there.  Swung like a pendulum three times before straightening out.  During the "snowicanne" of 2009 I made most of my 78 mile commute into the teeth of the storm with cruise control set at 35 with no issues in the snow.

I'll buy another in 3 years if they're still in production.

Nissan is the"chrysler" of imports.

I'm with this guy.

Had an 04 and a 10. Loved them both never a problem.

You might wanna shop around. Had mine done (2003) last year for $750 OTD.

My 2003 is the best vehicle I have ever owned in over 40 years of driving. Little sluggish and 15 MPG on a good day. 115,000 miles, some light 4 wheeling, nothing but regular maintenance. Would buy again.

Cheap interior, old engine, old transmission, average built quality.

Great truck for 25 grand.

Ripoff if you pay more than 30.

I have a 2012 pro4x. I love it. It has been 100% trouble free.

They are thirsty, especially the 4wd versions. I get ~ 15 mpg combined fwy/streets.

The guy who said three across child seats are a no-go: listen to him.

Much rather get a late model Toyota 4 runner. Those could be had for low 20s..

This.  Go 4runner.

I have had the 2015 for about a month and I love it.  Its also my first 4x4 suv so I may be a bit biased.  Most of the suvs they make now a days are a bit soft so I really like the sporty rugged look and feel of the x.  Plus it comes with a first aid kit!!!! Lol, for real though I can't wait for some snow.

My kid has had one about a year. Seems to be a decent outfit.

Wife had one as a company vehicle.

We were not nice to it.

We loved it.

Ours actually got 25mpg in WV.

Most of the mileage was highway and we ran the speed limit as it was a company ride but we were nothing but impressed.