We too owned an Xterra. It was an '06 X 4x4. Great truck, with no problems whatsoever. We put 48000 miles on it in under two years. I can see four major differences in these two that you would need to consider. First is towing, if you plan to tow anything more than a dinky trailer, you would want the X. Second is offroadability. If you want to do any heavy offroading, then the X is the way to go as well, or even a pathfinder. And thirdly, is fuel consumption. Don't kid yourself, you will definately use more fuel in the Nissan. We averaged around 16 with ours, until we raised her 4 inches for more "Offroadability!". Then it dropped to 14mpg. But I think the biggest difference is the comfort. We traded in our X for a Pathfinder in July. Hard not to with the $9k rebate on the Pathy. But when I get out of the Pathfinder (Which is the exact same truck from the front seats forward), and into the Element, I really love the E! There is so much more room, that I almost feel crammed in the Nissan now. Either way, I think you will be getting an extremely reliable suv. But let me make one more suggestion.. if you decide on the Nissan.. go with a Pathfinder instead. The back seat is 10 times more useable then the X, plus it has an independant rear suspension compared to leafs in the X. It rides and handles a million times better than the X as well, without losing any offroadability. Just my two cents.. good luck with your decision.