Cars Worth Noting - 2000 Nissan Xterra XE, 200 Mercedes CL Coupe, 2000 Chevrolet Impala

When Nissan announced its new Xterra, the concept sounded great to me. Here was an automaker that wanted to take the sport-utility back to its no-nonsense, affordable roots, proclaimed the Nissan racks. On paper at least, the new SIN promised to deliver what the Jeep Cherokee’s been since 1984, but in a package better suited for lifestyles.

First, the pluses. Xterra certainly beats the Jeep in package efficiency and driveline refinement, but given the Jeep’s age, it should. Nissan also wisely gave Xterra a commendably tight turning circle, which is a very endearing Cherokee trait in parking lots and off road. And our V-6-powered testers $23,000 sticker beats a similarly-equipped Jeep by about $1,500.

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But where Xterra’s planners and designers could’ve really improved the classic 4×4 utility wagon idea, they came up short. Xterra rides like the pickup truck it’s based on, and looks and feels cheap. Back seat cushions must be removed to fold the seats up. The much-used fuel filler door has sharp edges like a 1950s Japanese tin toy. The roof rack integrates with the body styling but is virtually useless in operation; owners will be better served with a Yakima or Thule aftermarket rig. And I’d jettison the gimmicky tubular side steps, which only get your trousers dirty, and the first-aid kit in the liftgate. Did customers ask for this crap, or did the product planners simply use 12-year-old skateboarders at the local mall for inspiration?

While Xterra puts serious price-value pressure on Jeep, it does so in cut-rate style.. And that’s the image it left with me.

–Lindsay Brooke

2000 Mercedes CL Coupe

With a price tag starting around $85,000, customers have a right to expect a lot from the CL coupe, Mercedes-Benz’s new flagship.

Mercedes delivers. The V-8 powered CL500, which reaches U.S. dealerships in December, and the V-12 powered CL600 that arrives next September, are not merely two-door versions of the S-Class sedan. That was the problem with its predecessor.

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