SUVs are one of the most popular vehicles at the moment, mainly because they are powerful, safe and offer a large interior space. Due to the increase in demand for SUVs, most of the automakers in the automotive market at the moment are increasing the production of SUVs.

Not all vehicle manufacturers are capable of producing reliable SUVs. In fact, there are only a few automakers that can launch SUV models that are reliable, for example Nissan and Toyota. Both companies continue to improve their existing SUV models on the market. They also compete with each other for customers and higher market shares.

To determine which of these two has the most reliable SUVs, this article will provide a brief comparison of their current models that includes the following.

1. 2011 Nissan Xterra vs. 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser

The 2011 Nissan Xterra and 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser are among the best SUV models from Toyota and Nissan currently competing with each other in terms of reliability. Both vehicles are considered midsize SUVs and also have the same 4.0L V6 engine. In addition to this, the Xterra and FJ cruiser are offered in 4×2 and 4×4 versions.

In terms of body construction, the Xterra has a robust body with frame construction, while the FJ Cruiser is built on a truck frame chassis. Both have a relatively low ground clearance that allows them to cope with harsh road conditions when carried off-road.

There is one feature that makes the FJ Cruiser inferior to the Xterra in terms of body construction and that is the design of its doors. Yes, they both have four doors, but the rear doors on the Cruiser are only half the size of those on the Xterra. Because of this, rear passengers have a hard time getting in and out of the FJ’s rear doors. In addition to this, there are many blind spots on the doors of the FJ that ultimately affect the visibility of drivers. The doors of the Nissan Xterra, on the other hand, have wider windows, a feature that improves the driver’s visibility.

In terms of handling and performance, the Xterra proves to be more reliable and capable compared to the FJ Cruiser. The Xterra’s 4.0L V6 engine produces up to 261 horsepower, while the FJ Cruiser’s similar engine produces 259 horsepower.

Aside from the above differences, the Xterra has many other features that enhance its off-road performance compared to the FJ Cruiser. For example, the Xterra has skid plates, selectable driving rear differential, hill start assist, and hill descent control, all of which are not found on the FJ Cruiser. Given this, it’s pretty obvious that the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a lot less SUV for its money compared to the 2011 Nissan Xterra.

two. 2011 Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota 4Runner 2011

The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder and 2011 Toyota 4Runner are also subject to constant comparison. This is probably because both SUVs are among the brands preferred by buyers and they always have a hard time deciding which of the two is more reliable. To help these confused buyers, let’s briefly compare the two models.

The Pathfinder is a big, heavy and tough SUV, just like the 4runner. Both are also built on stronger platforms, which is a feature that makes them almost similar in terms of reliability. However, additional features such as Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, found on the 4Runner, is what separates these two SUVs from each other. In addition to this, the 4Runner’s 4.0L V6 engine is capable of producing 270 horsepower, while the similar Pathfinder engine produces slightly less power at 266 horsepower. Because of this difference, the 4Runner appears to be better able to handle some of the harsher driving conditions compared to the Pathfinder. Given this, it is quite obvious that the 4Runner is more reliable compared to the Pathfinder.

Given the two sets of comparisons from Nissan and Toyota, it’s pretty clear that both automakers are capable of producing rugged, reliable SUVs. However, the reliability of your vehicles often varies by model. It is possible that Nissan could emerge as more reliable in some SUV models compared to Toyota and visa versus. Given this situation, it is important for car buyers to know what their driving needs are and what to expect from an SUV. By doing this, the car buyer can make their choice easier.