Produced from 2000 to the present, the Xterra is Nissan's premier crossover sport-utility vehicle and can be many things to many people. This fact is exemplified by the Xterra's tire selection, which ranges from economy car specials, to hard-core off-roaders to Ultra-high performance street tires. Some are cheaper than others, but all are specific to their mission and will help enhance the truck's character.
The stock replacement tires for a US-market Xterra are the BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A. This is a combination highway/all-season tire and is a little more geared toward highway use than its name might suggest. It's not the cheapest tire in Goodrich's line, but is a little more adept at off-roading than the lesser Long Trail T/A. If you're looking for versatility, long life, good looks and decent off-road ability, then you might do best to stick with the Rugged Trail.
There are a number of suitable alternatives to the Rugged Trail T/A. The BF Goodrich Long Trail Touring tire is similar to the Long Trail in design and price, but it is a little more suited to on-road grip, wet-weather performance and quiet operation.
If you're looking to save some money and don't take your truck-let off road that often, then a great tire in the bang-for-the-buck category is the Kuhmo Road Venture KL51. It's one of the highest-rated economy car tires in this segment, and a popular choice. On the other end of the spectrum, the Goodyear Fortera tripleTred is a good-looking and fine-handling tire, and is the rubber of choice for those who are willing to pay for top on-road performance in the dry and wet.
The General Grabber Ultra-high Performance sport tire is a great compromise in price and performance. It costs less than the stock BF Goodrich tires, but looks and grips better. The only real drawback to this tire is that it depends on a softer rubber compound for grip and will wear out sooner.
If it is your opinion that a truck should be capable of traveling off-road at will, then you may want to consider a suitable tire. The Firestone Destination A/T offers excellent on-road wear and quiet operation, as well as good off-road performance. Factor in its reasonable cost, and you can see why it's one of the most popular off-road tires on the market today.
Of course, if you really want to conquer the elements then take a good, hard look at the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO. This tire offers rugged good looks, excellent off-road grip and decent on-road handling and noise level.
