Hey, Xterrestials.. need quick advice. I'm buying an Xterra this week - question is, OffRoad or S? We live on dirt road in rural Western Mass, do XC skiing, etc. But 95% of my driving is still on Interstates and good roads, commuting to Boston for work. When I drove the OR, I thought I felt not just different shock rate but that it was more softly sprung, a bit longer suspension travel, that wonderful swoopy, giraffe-like quality .. great for dirt but less flat and solid on an Interstate lane change compared to the regular S suspension. It was only a brief test drive, so I wasn't quite sure - would the regular suspension be better for normal highway use?

(Also posted in General)

For me the factor was the locking rear differential which is available only on the Off-Road model. It's a bunch cheaper to change the shocks on the OR to change the feel than to put a locker on the S.

Its just a priority issue...you can't beat the traction of the OR off road with an S model...but you don't NEED the extra traction to drive on a dirt road...the S's 4WD works great as is...

So it comes down to the better ride of the Bils on the OR, ON ROAD...vs the stiffer ride of the S.

Just decide if you want the reserve capabilities of the OR, for handing anything you need to get through later...vs the firmer on road handling of the S.



I'd get the OR myself...as the OR's on road handling is pretty damn good IMHO.

I liked the ride of the OR better then the S both on and off road.
Add in the extras available only on the OR (locker, downhill assist, shocks, tires and interior) it was a no brainer for us. That and not exactly knowing what we would be doing in a couple years (more off roading or less?) really sealed it

Just bought my 07 OR 6sp MT...rides great on the hiway. I've only been on dirt and light trail so far cuz I'm still breakin' 'em in.

Except for the shocks, the suspension on the OR is identical to the S, X and SE.

Update: Thanks for advice. I did buy the OR. Love it! It took a whole Sunday to figure out all the cargo space options, locate the spare tire, lower it on its cute little chain..

There is a significant difference besides the Bilsteins of which many people seem unaware. Having driven the OR and S back to back, I noticed the OR is geared higher (7% larger final drive ratio). I guess this is to move more power to lower speeds for off road use.

I wonder if this negatively affects gas mileage. The only unwelcome surprise about Xterra so far is my first two tanks average 16 mpg. Egads... I'm used to 6 cylinder cars which average 25..

u can get it up to 19+ on the highway

There are quite a few differences between the OR and other models, but with the suspension, the only difference is the shocks.