Nissan Xterra engines
The Nissan Xterra is a Japanese compact and mid-size SUV manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. since 1999. In total, two generations of the model are known. The name of the model contains a phrase literally translated as “unknown land”. The car is built on the Nissan F-Alpha platform. The car was assembled in the USA, Brazil and China. In 2015, the manufacturer announced the termination of the production of cars. However, in China, the 2nd generation model is still being produced.
Nissan Xterra, 1st generation, 1999–2004
The car was designed on the frame chassis of the Navara / Frontier pickup truck. The base model was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (143 hp) and a manual transmission. A version with a V6 3.3 engine (160–170 hp) could be purchased with both a manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission. Drive – rear or plug-in full.
In 2002, Nissan Xterra was upgraded: in addition to the V6 power increased to 180 hp, a car appeared with a supercharged version of the same engine, developing 210 hp. Also, the car received an updated appearance, redrawn front panel and new instruments.
SUVs for the United States were produced at a plant in Tennessee, and in Brazil they made a version for the local market, equipped with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel (132–140 hp). In China, an SUV similar in design was made under the name Nissan Paladin, and in Iran under the name Nissan Roniz.
Production of the first generation model in the USA continued until 2004, in Brazil until 2007.
Nissan Xterra, 2nd generation, 2005–2015
The Nissan Xterra was still based on the frame platform of a pickup truck, but the car became larger than its predecessor and received a new power unit. The SUV was equipped with a V6 4.0 petrol engine with a capacity of 265 hp in combination with a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission. Drive – rear or plug-in full.
In 2008, the company restyled the model, and in 2012, production was moved from a plant in Tennessee to an enterprise in Mississippi. The release of Xterra continued until 2015.
The Nissan Xterra was offered with 3 engines between 1999 and 2015 (3 petrol). Displacement ranges from 2.4 to 4.0 liters, power output from 140 to 265 hp. All of them use a timing belt. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Nissan VQ40DE (about 500,000 km).
Nissan Xterra engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Xterra 1 (WD22) 1999–2004 | |||||||
| Nissan KA24DE | 1999–2004 | 2.4 L | 140–155 hp | petrol | 4.1 L | ~350,000 km | |
| Nissan VG33E | 1999–2004 | 3.3 L V6 | 170–180 hp | petrol | belt | 3.7 L | ~300,000 km |
| Nissan Xterra 2 (N50) 2005–2015 | |||||||
| Nissan VQ40DE | 2005–2015 | 4.0 L | 265 hp | petrol | 5.1 L | ~500,000 km | |
Nissan Xterra engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Nissan Xterra?
Nissan Xterra 1 (WD22) (1999–2004): Nissan KA24DE and Nissan VG33E; Nissan Xterra 2 (N50) (2005–2015): Nissan VQ40DE.
Which Nissan Xterra engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Nissan Xterra engines are: Nissan VQ40DE — about 500,000 km; Nissan KA24DE — about 350,000 km; Nissan VG33E — about 300,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Nissan Xterra engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan KA24DE — 4.1 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40); Nissan VG33E — 3.7 L (5W-30); Nissan VQ40DE — 5.1 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40).
Does the Nissan Xterra have a timing belt or chain?
Timing belt: Nissan VG33E. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.
Was the Nissan Xterra available with a diesel engine?
No, all Nissan Xterra engines in our database run on petrol.
Engine details
Nissan VG33E
Due to the breaking off of the crankshaft shank, it may well bend the valves in the motor.
Nissan VQ40DE
Nissan owners with such a unit often complain about fuel consumption, and not about breakdowns, but it still has one weak point.…
Models with the same engines
- Nissan Navara/Frontier 3 shared engines
- Nissan Pathfinder 2 shared engines
- Infiniti QX4/QX56/QX80 1 shared engine
- Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia 1 shared engine
- Nissan Altima 1 shared engine
- Nissan Bassara 1 shared engine
- Nissan Bluebird 1 shared engine
- Nissan Elgrand 1 shared engine
- Nissan Hardbody 1 shared engine
- Nissan NV200 1 shared engine