Brakes are four-wheel antilock, disc in front and drum at the rear. Steering is of the recirculating-ball type. Park brake lever is Nissan's old style, requiring the handle to be pulled out from under the dash at the right of the steering column. A raised roofline over the rear passenger and cargo area opens up headroom and visibility, and provides stadium-style rear seating. The rear seat cushions are removable, providing a large cargo area, with the rear seat folded down.
Cargo space is accessed by a liftgate at the rear.
Among interior options are an assortment of tie-downs and a pair of bike racks. The Xterra name, reinforcing the connection to the earth, was chosen to help distinguish it from the slightly larger, more elegant and sophisticated Pathfinder. Tenn. Its capabilities and pricing should help it spur sales for the Japanese-based company.