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2005 Nissan Xterra Preview

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An Even More Serious SUV Contender

Just where I developed a soft spot for hard core sport utilities Im not sure. No doubt it was probably during the few hundred times my Dad and I trekked off into the wild green yonder to test the waters with our rods and reels in one of his pickups, or even better, his ultra-tough FJ40 Land Cruiser.

Thats probably why I immediately fell for the Xterra when it arrived on the market in 1999 as a 2000 model. Nissan dubbed it "a backpack on wheels," an accurate description, and added an equally apropos "in-your-face functional" catch phrase.

"Xterra was a cornerstone vehicle in launching Nissans remarkable product revival in the late 90s, showing the automotive industry that good things happen when you focus on meeting customers unmet needs, rather than following the competition," stated Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "With this new generation design,

Xterra typifies the "utility" in SUV, and does a pretty good job in the "sport" department too, as shown here on a makeshift rocky crag under the lights of Rockefeller Plaza during its Manhattan debut. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Details like its impressive 4x4 capability, tubular roof rack and removable load basket, no-nonsense (read that as meaning pretty darn basic) interior, stadium-style rear seating, and accessory bike mount to haul a pair of bicycles safely in the large cargo area, that incidentally is accessible by a cavernous rear door-opening and enhanced with 50/50 split-folding rear seatbacks, set Nissans compact SUV apart from mere pretenders. True to its mission, Xterra typifies the "utility" in SUV, and does a pretty good job in the "sport" department

It rained while Nissan unveiled the completely redesigned 2005 Xterra at this years New York International Auto Show, part of the new models spectacular introduction. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

That last factor is mostly due to the fact its built off of the Frontier pickup chassis, not the brands Altima sedan which is the basis for the lithe Murano SUV. Hey, different strokes for different folks. Nissans willingness to target specific niches in the market is probably reason enough it sells so many sport utility vehicles.

Nissan isnt about to veer off its chosen path anytime soon, as seen by the barrage of new SUVs the Japanese brand has recently released. Taking up the largest chunk of real estate is the massive Armada, a military fleet unto its own. More recently Nissan unveiled its

At first glance the new Xterra looks just like a smaller version of Nissans full-size Armada SUV. (Photo: Nissan North America)

Nissan chose to debut it in downtown Manhattan on the evening before the first New York International Auto Show press day. So there it was, covered in mud and perched high atop a makeshift rocky crag. Two New York "campers" were set up just underneath, tent up and sleeping bags out in the open, while onlookers sipped wine and snacked on appetizers and cheese plates at Morrells Wine Bar & Café just underneath Rockefeller Plaza.

Its entrance to the show itself was even more spectacular. A muddy Xterra charged out onto a stage only to be showered off on its turntable. As it seems, automakers reserve this final major event of the season for those special cars, trucks and SUVs that

From the new Xterras profile view its easy to see the distinctive styling cues that still make the outgoing version so popular. (Photo: Nissan North America)

And Im glad they did, as the vehicle everyone came to see looks similar enough to the full-size Armada SUV, at least at first glance, that I needed a double take to put it into its much smaller perspective. Larger than its predecessor, the new "compact" SUV is still tiny compared to the XXXL Armada it takes much of its design language from. On that thought, however, Nissan is making no excuses about giving its trucks and SUVs a familiar familial resemblance, the Xterra being the last to conform since the upcoming Pathfinder was revealed earlier this year.