Nissan Spied Testing Pickup Truck-Based SUV
Nissan has been spied testing a Navara-based SUV, but little information is available on what new model it could be.
The Nissan Navara is the global version of the Nissan Frontier pickup sold in the U.S., and the Japanese automaker is preparing an SUV model based on that platform. In the past, the Nissan Xterra SUV shared a platform with the Frontier, but the model was axed after the 2015 model year.
So in a way, this Navara-based SUV prototype spy photographers have caught testing shows what the Xterra could have been if it lived on in the U.S. The problem is, the Frontier is a bit different than the Navara because the truck segment is much more competitive in the U.S. Even Nissan has said although both trucks share components, the Frontier is specifically engineered for the U.S. market.
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There is no word on when the next-generation Nissan Frontier will arrive, but there is a small possibility this Navara-based SUV could be sold in the U.S. Based on its size, it would slot nicely between the existing Murano and Pathfinder, essentially filling the void left behind by the Xterra, which was popular as a rugged off-roader.
It’s unclear whether Nissan will add another SUV to its lineup in the U.S., but it makes sense for the Japanese automaker to bolster its lineup with SUVs, which are typically huge moneymakers.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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