A redesigned Xterra begins sale early in the new year as a late 2005 entry. It's related to the new '05 Frontier pickup and Pathfinder SUV, sharing their cut-down version of the "F-Alpha" platform from Nissan's full-size Titan pickup and Armada SUV. As before, Xterra aims at a younger audience than Pathfinder, so it costs less and has fewer standard features. For '05, Xterra gets a huskier version of its familiar look on a 2-inch longer wheelbase that Nissan says increases rear-seat passenger room. Overall length is up just 0.2-inch, but width swells by 2.5 inches and height rises by 1.9. Model choices for '05 are base S, Off-Road and SE. All use a new 4.0-liter enlargement of Nissan's familiar 3.5-liter V6 with around 250 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions are upgraded too, with a 6-speed manual and optional 5-speed automatic taking over. The available 4WD's 2-speed transfer case adds electronic "shift-on-the-fly" capability. Rear disc brakes replace drums on all models, with emergency brake assist joining standard ABS. New options include front torso and head-protecting curtain side airbags, antiskid/traction control, fold-down front passenger seat, 300-watt premium audio, and a cargo tiedown system with twin floor channels and movable cleats. Pricing and other details won't be released until just before sales begin, but keep checking back with us for further news.

Meantime, Nissan is said to be on the verge of adding a smaller SUV priced below Xterra. An '06 model allegedly set for a 2005 debut, this will be a redesigned version of the unibody X-Trail 4-dr wagon that already carries Nissan's banner against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in Europe and Asia. No hard news so far, but the U.S. X-Trail (the name may be changed) would likely use Nissan's Altima midsize sedan platform and the 2.5-liter 4-cyl and V6 engines that go with it. We'd also expect all-wheel drive and perhaps dual-range 4WD as an option to front drive.