An H3 will kick pretty much any xterras ass unless it is HEAVILY modified. By that I mean a solid axle.

An adventure series H3 is what I would buy. Cloth seats a 4 to 1 transfer case 33 inch tires and an eaton locker. A longer warranty and better fit and finish. Sticker price of 32,945 and i could probably squeek out a grand of discount.

If you took a stock X added a locker, larger tires, a lower T-case gear and a lift to match the ground clearance you are at or over the same price. But you still won't have the approach and departure angles or the traction control.

Believe it or not traction control works excellent off-road.

I can say these things because i drive the trucks every day on and off road and am very familiar with the capabilites of both the X and the H3.