Dogmobiles: Road-testing the Nissan Xterra
By Gina Spadafori
January 4, 2007
You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need. — Rolling Stones (as if you didn’t know)
When I came up with the idea of rating new vehicles — SUVs, minivans and wagons — for their usefulness as “dogmobiles,” I had some pre-determined notions of the frivolous accessories I wanted strictly for me, since the dogs weren’t planning on making the car payment. See, if I was — and am — going to drop a load of dough to replace Forrest, the paid-off ‘98 Plymouth Voyager, I wanted some bling that had nothing to do with how well dog crates fit in the back of the vehicle, or how well the thing could be ventilated.
More than anything, I wanted heated seats. Less of a must: Moon roof. Nice but not essential, high-tech coolness such as can be found in the peerless Acura RDX.
So why am I suddenly spending idle moments pricing out a Nissan XTerra, which offers not a single one of my “must-have” comfort-and-fun items? Because it’s the nearest thing to my perfect dogmobile I’ve yet tried. It’s that ol’ needs/want thing, you see?
Before I get into why I love, love, love the Xterra, a reminder that what’s right for me may not be right for you. I have retrievers, big mud-puppies who are constantly on the road with me, heading either for a river run, a dog show or field training or competition. Those last items are key: Sometimes I am well and truly in need of four-wheel drive, and a vehicle with high road clearance.
If I had no off-road demands, I’d be looking at the Honda Element, which remains my pick for the best dogmobile ever. If I didn’t have big dogs, I’d be looking at the aforementioned Acura RDX, which remains my favorite driving experience of all time. If I had close to $50K to burn, I might be thinking of the Volvo XC90, another favorite.
But … I have big mud puppies, field training and just can’t bring myself to spend that kind of money. Which brings me back to the XTerra.
I wasn’t prepared to be so knocked off my feet by the XTerra. I like the Mad Max look of it, but an earlier turn in a Nissan SUV — the Murano with its cargo space-killing curves — had left me unimpressed. But I liked the XTerra from the minute I slid into its (non-heated) seat, and the attraction just kept growing.
First, it’s a mid-sized SUV so it’s not all that big, but it’s tall and squared off, making every inch of cargo space count. The squared-off rear meant that I wouldn’t have a problem with rear-facing dog crates — in many SUVs, the sloping rears mean crates will fit fine on the bottom, but you can’t close the rear hatch because the crates stick out.
Second, it’s a true SUV. That’s certainly true of the off-road model I drove (at $29K, fully loaded) but it’s also true of all XTerra 4WD offerings. Inside and out, it’s rugged and equipped for the dirt that comes with an active outdoor lifestyle. Rubber cargo mats keep the muck to a minimum and make the vehicle easy to clean, and the combination of cargo hooks, racks and so many nooks and crannies I lost count meant that everything will fit inside or on top, and can be cinched down for security no matter what road you’re on. (No, I’m not planning to put the dogs on top. But I’ve got some gear that can go there.)
Third, it’s comfortable. The (unheated) seats have great lumbar support. Everything you’d want to turn on, off or look at is just where you’d put it.
Fourth, it’s a kick to drive. Mind you, it is a real SUV, and a certain amount of stiffness goes along with that. But it’s great on the highway, sure-footed off-road and not even a bad drive in city traffic — and I do mean city traffic: I had it in downtown San Francisco.
It is everything I need, and the only vehicle so far that has had me wasting time on cars.com outfitting it and trying to figure out which model and what options. Especially since I figured out a way to get heated seats after-market. Because my cold fanny shouldn’t have to suffer so my dogs can have a cool ride.
Me and my 7 1/2 month old German Shepherd Dog have been drooling over the Xterra for quite some time. Well, OK.. I’ve been drooling over the Xterra since it came out, and I’ve trained Sasha well. LOL Went and test drove one the other day and fell in love all over. They’ve gotten quite refined in the past couple years and the ride is excellent. I last drove one about 5 year models ago and they were a bit bouncy and “SUV-feeling” then. I took the test vehicle around an Interstate on-ramp (cloverleaf) at 40 MPH with very minimal body-roll and sure traction on a freshly wet road. I’m just not able to convince myself of the price yet. So I’m back to looking at other options. My MIL has a Hyundai Santa Fe which they love. But they don’t carry dogs around. The cargo area (carpeted) is a bit smaller.. and while the Hyundai is supposed to be cheaper a comparably equipped Santa Fe (according to manufacturer website) is actually $200 MORE than the Xterra!? LOL So much for cheaper.
Comment by Samantha — February 15, 2007 @ 11:52 am
I have owned a Nissan Xterra since it first came out in 2000. The truck has treated us well. I compete in hunt tests, agility, earth dog, and obedience with my 5 dogs and am a full time professional trainer.
There are two things abotu my DOGTRUK (that is how my licence plate reads) That I HATE!:
1) You can not fit two crates big enough to accomidate my labs side by side for easy rear loading and un-loading. The space between the wheel wells is about 42” and it is just too narrow.
2) The back seats have to be removed and stored - STILL leaving an awkward angle not alowing the complete flat surface I would like to have for additional crates for back door loading and uloading of dogs.
I needed to be creative and have had to make platforms out of wood to level and fit all my crates. its a pain.
If I didn’t need 4 wheel drive I would be all aboutthe Honda Element. :)
Comment by Danielle — February 25, 2007 @ 11:19 am
One would think by reading this article that the only country building “dogmobiles” is Japan. When the currency manipulation ceases, and the Japanese companies allow labor unions into their plants, then maybe I will consider a vehicle from “Japan Inc.” Till then no way…
Comment by Bubba Compass — February 27, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Gosh, you sound like my dad, who won’t let a Japanese car park in his driveway (but doesn’t have problems with German ones, strangely enough!)
“I don’t know why my kids insist on buying foreign cars!” he said when we all met for breakfast recently and I was talking about the Xterra.
We looked at him as if he were crazy. For the last nine years I’ve been driving a Plymouth Voyager. One brother drives a Ford T-bird, which replaced a Ford Mustang, which replaced a Pontiac something, which replaced a Jeep Wrangler. The other brother drives a Ford F-150, which replaced a Ford Explorer.
I mean … huh?
If you think only the Japanese cars are getting good reviews, you need to keep reading. I loved the Jeep Compass, Chrysler Town and Country, and the Ford Explorer. I hated the Nissan Murano as a dogmobile, and didn’t really enjoy it that much as a driver.
Now, I’ll grant you my favorite dogmobile is a Honda Element, but it’s a quirky vehicle that’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.
I look at each vehicle for its merits hauling the pups, and leave such things as price, reliability and your own sense of national pride for you to evaluate on your own.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 28, 2007 @ 9:25 am