Inside and outside, the 2005 Nissan Xterra provides the numerous cubbies, pockets, baskets, and racks one would expect of a true sport utility vehicle.

Front doors include ample storage slots and large cupholders, with two cupholders in the center console that can be expanded by removing the rubber inserts. Under the front center armrest is a spacious storage well, and shallow trays sit above and below the dash, each with ineffective rough surfaces intent on keeping items in place. There are also two front gloveboxes, a lined overhead sunglasses holder, and a driver’s side seatback map pocket. Rear seat passengers have access to two expandable beverage holders, but that’s it.

Thankfully, back seat occupants can simply reach over their seat into the 35.2 cubic foot cargo area for anything they need. Among the host of goodies back there are cargo hooks and slide rails (what Nissan calls Utili-Track) used to keep things in place, a first aid kit in the tailgate, dual storage nets, and a recessed cubby under the plastic cargo floor.

Should more space be needed, kick the passengers to the curb and fold down the rear seat, creating 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Unfortunately, as with the old Xterra, this new version’s rear seat bottom still needs to be flipped up for the folded seatback to lay flat. That won’t be an issue if you can’t get items into the trunk in the first place. Our shortest editor, who stands at five-feet, eight-inches tall, found the top of the Xterra’s rear bumper lined up with his upper thigh. Worse yet, the Xterra’s actual load floor sits two or three inches above the bumper. Lifting that heavy box into your Nissan has just become twice as difficult – one heave to get it up to bumper height, and then lift again to get it to load floor height. But, don’t worry – back muscles were meant to be sore.

If all of the interior space isn’t enough, there’s always the standard roof rack and basket that promise to hold a decent amount of gear. A handy step integrated into the rear bumper makes it easy to reach the top of the Xterra.