Remember the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Well, the Xterra in question reminds me of that. No, not because one aspect is noble and the other is maniacal. Rather, that there are two aspects—wildly diverse aspects—to a single thing. In the case of this SUV, it is the aspect of manners meeting mud. And I’m not so sure that either gets its due.

That is, this vehicle is trimmed out with everything from a 300-W Rockford Fosgate audio system, leather seating surfaces (it has the “Rugged Leather Package”), and power doors, windows, and mirrors, to an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. Because this is an Xterra, it has the first-aid kit fitted in the back and the tubular step rails along the side. And as this is the “SC” version, it means that the six-cylinder engine is supercharged for that extra oomph! (It does tip the scales at over two tons, so the supercharger isn’t entirely out of line.)

Perhaps the TV commercials have worked too well on me, but when I see an Xterra, I think of the Mr. Hyde aspects, at least to the extent that it seems to me the vehicle ought to be all about throwing in a mountain bike or a snow board. Not leather seats. Not even “Rugged Leather” seats. And while it is commendable to have an audio system that is complete with a subwoofer, the system in this vehicle doesn’t provide the level of adjustment that one might expect even demi-audiophiles to be interested in dialing in.

Of course, whether there are a whole lot of people who are in that post-Mountain Dew-swilling demographic that would be able to afford a $30K+ truck that drinks unleaded in big gulps (15/18 mpg) is another question, entirely.

The Xterra is fundamentally a truck. A solid, slammin’ truck. Bring on the interior that you can hose out. Forget the amenities.