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Nissan’s Adventure-Ready Xterra May Return from the Grave

nissan xterra suv return 2019 2015
When Nissan brought the axe down on its Xterra in 2015, the off-road community cried foul. In addition to losing a good product, the reason for the XTerra’s demise was unclear. At the time (and still today), SUV sales were booming, 4WD and AWD fascination was in full effect, and, as a byproduct of the Nissan Frontier’s platform, the Xterra wasn’t a huge cost burden.

When the Nissan Xterra was discontinued, there were no public plans for a new generation. Now, it seems, the Japanese automaker has had a change of heart. In an interview with Wards Auto, Nissan North America’s vice president for product planning, Michael Bunce, said that Nissan is keen on the off-road SUV segment. Furthermore, a new body-on-frame SUV with the Xterra name is being considered for a pre-2020 launch.

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Nissan’s renewed interest in a rugged off-roader might be explained by the late Xterra’s used-market sales boon. Adventure enthusiasts who missed the memo on the truck’s innovative storage solutions and off-road capability are snatching up prime examples — quickly. Whether a new Xterra is coming or not, used model prices will surely continue to climb.

2018 nissan frontier
2018 Nissan Frontier

Should Nissan approve the model, it will mostly likely be based on the redesigned Frontier’s platform (which may remain the F-Alpha setup) and built at Nissan’s factory in Canton, Mississippi. Both the Frontier and Xterra will receive new engines, transmissions, and interior designs. Look to the current Pathfinder and Rogue for exterior design cues. Four-wheel drive and a Pro-4X off-road package are anticipated options for both the Frontier and Xterra.

Nissan could, of course, take a completely different direction with the XTerra (including opting for a Rogue-based nameplate), but the new SUV will mostly likely contend with the new Jeep Wrangler JL, upcoming Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner — like its predecessor. With the redesigned Frontier due in late 2018, it would make sense for a new Xterra to launch the following year.

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BMW, hybrid cars, and EVs dominate Consumer Reports’ top rankings
It’s the first time BMW has landed in the top spot of Consumer Reports’ rankings
2023 BMW XM

Consumer Reports tests hundreds of vehicles a year and conducts some of the most intensive tests in the industry. Apparently, the organization logs hundreds of thousands of miles on test vehicles annually to help consumers make an educated purchase. Recently, Consumer Reports ranked 32 car brands in its annual Auto Brand Report Card Rankings and, for the first time in the organization’s history, BMW came out on top as having the most reliable cars.
Before we get into the results, here’s how Consumer Reports ranks its vehicles. Each car that Consumer Reports tests gets an Overall Score. The score is based on four factors: reliability, safety, owner satisfaction, and the road test. The predicted reliability score comes from the organization’s survey that's based on 17 problem areas in cars. A safety score is determined by crash-test scores and available safety features, while the owner satisfaction score is based on a survey that’s completed by Consumer Reports' members. Lastly, the road-test score is based on the various tests that the organization puts vehicles through.

BMW topped Consumer Reports brand rankings with an overall score of 81. Subaru (79), Mini (79), Lexus (77), Honda (77), Toyota (76), Genesis (76), Mazda (75), Audi (74), and Kia (73) finish off the top 10. Out of the automakers in the top 10, Genesis made the largest leap, moving up 12 spots compared to last year, while Mazda fell six spots.
“BMW builds many high-performance, full-featured, and reliable models, so it’s not surprising to see it at the top of our brand rankings,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. “But non-luxury brands like Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda have also consistently ranked high over the past few years, ensuring that consumers don’t have to sacrifice affordability to get a high-quality car.”
Automakers that did poorly as the least reliable cars in Consumer Reports’ testing include: Land Rover (45), Jeep (46), Jaguar (52), Alfa Romeo (53), Mitsubishi (54), GMC 955), and Mercedes-Benz (56). Chrysler, which finished in 25th place, had the most dramatic drop of any automaker, falling 12 spots compared to last year.

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BMW introduces 2024 X5 and X6, adding range to plug-in hybrid option
BMW X5 and X6: Updated designs, standard 48-volt systems, and new tech are also on hand
Front end angle of the 2024 BMW X6 and rear end angle of the 2024 BMW X5 in a white studio.

BMW may be known for its high-performance sports cars and excellent driver-focused sedans, but the X5 was its best-selling model in 2022. The last time the X5 model was fully redesigned was in 2019, which means that it’s time for a host of updates. Enter the 2024 BMW X5 and its sportier X6 counterpart, which arrive with thorough mid-cycle refreshes. The main highlights are the introduction of a new inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, improved efficiency for the plug-in hybrid model, and a new interior design with added tech.
Both the X5 and X6 40i models will continue to come with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, but the motor has been redesigned for 2024. In addition to the new engine, the 40i models are now hybrids, too. The six-cylinder engine gets a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an electric motor that’s integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. With the new engine and the addition of the mild-hybrid system, the base X5 and X6 models are now rated at 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. These are upgrades from 335 hp and 330 lb-ft from the outgoing model.

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The 14 best road trip cars for exploring the country
Make your travels memorable with these amazing road trip cars
best road trip cars vw van 32

When embarking on a road trip, camping, or even a vacation for that matter, the car you take is nearly as important as the route. Some drivers consider a one-hour drive to get a leftover Christmas tree as a road trip, but that’s not what we’re talking about here. The cars on this list are vehicles that you’ll want to drive across the country in and go on an adventure to find some of the best routes in America.

The vehicles you see here range from classic icons to exotic supercars. Of course, we didn't forget about SUVs that have enough room for the entire family, including Fido. Choosing a car to take on a road trip is a highly personal decision. But at the end of the day, these are the best road trip cars, hands down.
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