The SUV market in the UAE has always been competitive, with both expats and UAE nationals looking for vehicles that combine power, reliability, and value. In 2025, two names stand out among midsize, family-friendly SUVs—Toyota Fortuner and Nissan Xterra. If you’re considering buying one of these popular SUVs for your family, daily commute, or weekend desert drives, you’re in the right place.
This guide breaks down the Toyota Fortuner vs. Nissan Xterra in the UAE, covering price, design, specs, tech, real-world practicality, and more. Let’s help you decide which SUV fits your needs and budget best.
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Toyota Fortuner vs. Nissan Xterra (2025)
If you want an SUV that balances everyday comfort, strong resale value, and low running costs, the Toyota Fortuner makes a strong case. If your priorities include off-road muscle, a rugged design, and a bit more value-for-money on features, the Nissan Xterra deserves a close look. Both are reliable, capable, and built for UAE roads. The right choice depends on your budget, lifestyle, and what you expect from your next SUV.
Price & Value for Money in the UAE
Let’s start with what most buyers care about first—pricing. Here’s how both SUVs line up for 2025:
- Toyota Fortuner 2025: AED 126,900 – AED 171,900 (base to top trim)
- Nissan Xterra 2025: AED 104,000 – AED 142,500 (base to Platinum trim)
Prices may vary by dealer, city, and ongoing promotions.
Toyota Fortuner is priced higher, especially in its upper trims. You pay more for Toyota’s brand reputation, strong resale, and slightly plusher interiors. Nissan Xterra comes in more affordably, making it attractive to expats, first-time buyers, or anyone seeking maximum value in a family SUV.
If you want to explore cheaper SUVs, check out our guide to the best SUVs under AED 100,000 in the UAE.
Design & Road Presence
Toyota Fortuner
Toyota gave the Fortuner a facelift for 2025, with sharper LED headlights, a broad grille, and more aggressive bumpers. It looks refined and slightly upmarket—appealing to families and professionals alike. The tall stance, chrome accents, and sporty wheels add street appeal, while the higher trims offer extra styling touches like roof rails and two-tone paint options.
Nissan Xterra
Nissan designed the Xterra with off-road fans in mind. You’ll notice the boxier shape, chunkier fenders, and larger ground clearance. The new Xterra sports a bold V-motion grille, LED daytime running lights, and chunky skid plates—everything screams “ready for the wild.” If you want an SUV that looks at home on rocky trails or city streets, the Xterra nails the look.
Dimensions
| Model | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) | Ground Clearance (mm) |
| Toyota Fortuner | 4,795 | 1,855 | 1,835 | 2,745 | 279 |
| Nissan Xterra | 4,900 | 1,865 | 1,865 | 2,850 | 243 |
Both offer a strong road presence and can fit seven people, but the Xterra is slightly longer and wider, translating to a roomier cabin, especially for rear passengers.
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Interior Comfort, Features & Practicality
Toyota Fortuner: Practical Luxury
Step inside the Fortuner, and you get a practical, well-finished cabin. The dashboard features soft-touch plastics, stitched leather on upper trims, and a clean, ergonomic design. Toyota added a new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto standard), digital air conditioning, and plenty of storage spaces. Higher trims offer leather seats, a 9-speaker JBL sound system, push-button start, and a power tailgate.
With a 7-seat layout (2+3+2), you get decent room in the first two rows. The third row is best for kids or short adults, but folds flat for added cargo space. Rear A/C vents, USB ports, and cupholders make long trips comfortable.
Nissan Xterra: Tough, Spacious, and Functional
Nissan gives the Xterra a spacious, airy feel. The wide dashboard, big windows, and upright seating position give a commanding view of the road. The Xterra’s 7-inch (base) or 9-inch (higher trims) touchscreen is user-friendly, supporting CarPlay/Android Auto. Features like keyless entry, auto climate control, and leather seats (on Platinum) add comfort.
Where the Xterra really shines is practicality: the 60:40 split second-row seats tumble for extra cargo, while the third row folds flat to fit luggage for a family road trip. If you need to carry a lot, the Xterra offers slightly more trunk space with all seats folded.
Explore more SUV comparisons and car buying tips in our SUV vs Sedan guide.
Engine, Performance & Fuel Efficiency
Toyota Fortuner: Smooth and Reliable Power
- 2.7L Petrol: 164 hp, 245 Nm, 6-speed automatic, RWD/4WD
- 4.0L V6 Petrol: 235 hp, 376 Nm, 6-speed automatic, 4WD
The 2.7L is ideal for city use and light desert work, while the 4.0L V6 is a favorite for those who want strong acceleration, towing power, and confidence in deep sand. Toyota’s engines are known for reliability, easy servicing, and low maintenance costs.
Fuel economy: Around 10–12 km/L, depending on driving style and engine choice. The V6 uses more fuel but delivers more grunt.
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Nissan Xterra: Capable and Confident
- 2.5L Petrol: 165 hp, 241 Nm, 7-speed automatic, RWD/4WD
Nissan keeps things simple with a single engine option, making maintenance straightforward. The Xterra’s engine is lively enough for daily driving and mild off-roading. It comes with switchable 4WD and a locking rear diff on higher trims—perfect for exploring the desert or wadis.
Fuel economy: About 11–12 km/L, so running costs are very close to the Fortuner’s base engine.
Engine Specs
| Model | Engine Options | Max Power (hp) | Torque (Nm) | Transmission | Drivetrain |
| Toyota Fortuner | 2.7L, 4.0L V6 | 164 / 235 | 245 / 376 | 6-AT | RWD/4WD |
| Nissan Xterra | 2.5L | 165 | 241 | 7-AT | RWD/4WD |
Off-Road Ability
Toyota Fortuner
The Fortuner 4WD, especially with the V6, can handle most off-road adventures that UAE drivers tackle—think desert camping, dune bashing, or wadi runs. You get high ground clearance, a tough ladder-frame chassis, and a rear differential lock (V6). Selectable 4WD means you can shift from 2H to 4H or 4L as conditions demand.
Nissan Xterra
The Xterra matches the Fortuner’s off-road focus, with hill descent control, hill start assist, and a proper locking rear diff (on Platinum). It’s designed to go where many crossovers fear to tread. The stiffer suspension and more advanced 4WD system (in upper trims) give it an edge in the rough.
For a deeper look at off-roaders, see our Toyota Land Cruiser vs Nissan Patrol comparison.
Safety Features
Toyota Fortuner
- 7 airbags (top trim)
- Electronic stability control
- Hill assist, traction control
- Rear parking sensors/camera (360 cam on top)
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
Nissan Xterra
- 6 airbags (Platinum)
- Vehicle dynamic control (stability)
- Hill start and descent control
- Blind spot warning (Platinum)
- Rearview camera, tire pressure monitor
Both SUVs check the boxes for modern safety and have strong crash ratings in their home markets. Advanced driver aids (like adaptive cruise) are more limited in this price segment.
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Maintenance, Running Costs & Resale Value
Toyota shines here. Fortuner parts are cheap and widely available, with a big service network across the UAE. The Fortuner holds its value well, thanks to brand reputation and local demand. Nissan Xterra is reliable, too, with low-cost servicing and a growing dealer network. Xterra resale isn’t as bulletproof as Toyota, but it’s improving with the latest models.
Want to know more about selling cars or getting an accurate car valuation? Read our guide to selling your car in Dubai.
What Owners Say
Toyota Fortuner owners love the peace of mind, especially expats and families who value a stress-free experience. Many praise the soft ride, quality feel, and easy resale when it’s time to upgrade.
Nissan Xterra owners appreciate the bold design, strong air conditioning (important in UAE summers!), and easy handling in both city and sand. Younger drivers and off-road fans lean toward the Xterra for its more “adventurous” image.
Which One Should You Buy in the UAE?
Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
- Choose Toyota Fortuner if you:
- Want a plush cabin and Toyota’s resale advantage
- Prefer a V6 for towing or fast acceleration
- Like a quieter ride for the family
- Want a plush cabin and Toyota’s resale advantage
- Choose Nissan Xterra if you:
- Want more space and off-road features for less money
- Like the rugged, boxy look
- Are budget-conscious but want a capable 4WD
- Want more space and off-road features for less money
Both are excellent. It really comes down to your priorities and which SUV fits your personality, family, and driving habits.
Still undecided? Explore more comparisons, like our Yaris vs Sunny vs Accent review and New vs Used Cars in UAE.
Final Verdict: Toyota Fortuner vs. Nissan Xterra
The Toyota Fortuner stands out for reliability, resale value, and a luxurious feel. It’s the safe bet for families and anyone who wants hassle-free ownership. The Nissan Xterra delivers ruggedness, more bang for your buck, and plenty of tech for adventurous drivers. If you want a reliable family SUV for city and desert, you can’t go wrong with either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV is cheaper to run in the UAE?
Both have similar fuel economy and low servicing costs. Toyota has a slight edge in long-term value.
Can both handle desert driving?
Yes, especially the 4WD trims. The Fortuner V6 and Xterra Platinum are both desert-ready.
Which has better tech features?
The Fortuner offers more luxury touches, while the Xterra gives you more space and a bolder interior.
