The 2009 Nissan Xterra powered with a 4.0-liter double overhead cam V6 engine that's rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft. of torque. These are good numbers for the vehicle and we never felt a need for power. Several features of the nissan Xterra that one normally doesn't find in an SUV of any size are the step that helps gain access to the solid roof rack.