The long-criticized, dash-mounted, pull-and-twist parking brake was replaced with a foot-operated pedal. This is a big improvement, though we'd prefer a proper hand-brake lever. The manual shift lever is on the tall size.

The front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. They fit well and provide good lumbar support. The fabric appears durable and resistant to stains.

The console layout is tidy and handsome, if appropriately spartan. A CD changer holds six CDs, which can be selected with the six radio station buttons. There are two cool buttons for the four-way flashers and rear window defogger, rectangular and totally flat on the face of the aluminum-looking panel. Three big retro-looking rotary knobs with wings control the heater. Auxiliary DC outlets are provided front and rear, in addition to the cigarette lighter.

SE models have cruise control and radio controls located on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with wide spokes positioned at 3, 9, 5 and 7 o'clock. The whole padded center is the horn, the best and safest operation because of quick access. The horn is tinny but strong, a no-frills statement.

We took the Xterra windsurfing, and were wishing for the accessory seat covers made of wetsuit material. Other nice available cabin details include the side window demisters and rear heat ducts, smart storage crannies, as many as 10 cargo hooks on floor and ceiling, and a strap on the tailgate to close it from the inside.

Rear seating is not the most comfortable. There's not much side support. Rear passengers can slide their feet under the front seats, but it's a little tight, an inch less than in the smaller Toyota RAV4. There's lots of headroom, though. The roof is raised over the rear seats to allow them to be positioned higher than the front seats, providing a theater view through the windshield.

Because the Xterra is built on the Frontier pickup truck platform, Nissan engineers must have been challenged to squeeze everything in, while providing lots of good cargo space (65.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, 44.5 cubic feet with the seats up).

The 50-50 rear seatbacks fold down fairly flat, but the seat bottoms must be removed. So, depending on circumstance, you either leave them in your garage or they become loose cargo on their own. Not a great feature, but at least they're feather-light.

New for 2003 are luggage nets on the headliner (deleted if you order the sunroof) and the side of the cargo area. Nissan has also added metal ceiling tie-down clips in the cargo area.