I was in the market for something that had a large cargo area, available 4X4, 4 doors, and rugged enough to go offroading while still retaining good manners on the pavement. Manual transmission was preferred. The trucks I shopped for were the Xterra, Jeep Liberty and Cherokee, Land Rover LR3, and the Toyota 4-Runner and FJ. Liberty way too small; Cherokee way too expensive and no MT; LR3 too $$$ and no MT; FJ piss poor visibility fore, aft, and laterally (don't know how you could wheel w/o having a full time spotter), crazy doors, giant blind spots, back seat doesn't fold flat, Toyota not selling these w/ much discount yet; the 4-Runner was really the only other vehicle in the running w/ the X. Unfortuanately, no MT available, the V-6 has less power than the X, yet the V-8 didn't have much more, interior not very durable, no on demand 4X4 available w/ V-8 (full time AWD), no locker available, priced much higher than equivalent X. When it got right down to it, the X had everything I needed and nothing I didn't (to paraphrase the ad campaign) at a good price. The interior is basically bullet proof, yet comfortable. Visibility all around is good. Unarguably, this engine is a beast, and w/ MT and VDC off, the thing will really haul ass (if this appeals to the Boy Racer in you). I've been very satisfied w/ my decision, but again, it is the right truck for me because it satisfied most of my wants/needs. You may be different, but the X certainly deserves to be included when shopping for an SUV.