Nissan->ke62 has just dropped a comprehensive list of updates and changes happening to its 2016 vehicle lineup, including its trucks->ke4254, body-on-frame SUV->ke145s, and utility vans. Most concerning is the news the venerable Xterra->ke1160 will not live past the 2015 model year. Yep, after 15 years on the market and more than 750,000 examples sold, the rugged, two-row SUV is headed out to pasture.

Thankfully that’s the saddest news on Nissan’s truck front. Leading the polar opposite express is the introduction of the 2016 Nissan Titan XD – the three-quarter ton truck that is supposed to drive like a half-ton but pull like a one-ton. Fans of the truck already know the big news is under the Titan XD’s hood. That’s because a Cummins V-8 turbodiesel->ke1917 is cradled between the fully boxed frame rails and kicks out an impressive 555 pound-feet of torque.

Nissan also hints at the Titan’s other optional powertrain, saying three engines will be offered. My guess is an updated version of the 5.6-liter V-8 currently found in the truck, along with a V-6 – possibly turbocharged – for the base level truck.

Also related to the Titan, Nissan says it will release more information on the three-row Nissan Armada->ke551 at a later date.

The Frontier->ke547, Nissan’s aging midsized truck offering, is getting very minor update that include new colors and greater moonroof availability in lesser trim levels. Nissan’s workhorses, the NV and NV200 vans, also get very minor updates that include paint colors, now-standard side-impact air bags, and greater availability of the SL Technology package.

A more detailed report is provided below, so click ‘continue reading’

Xterra

Sadly, the Xterra has come to the end of is lifespan. I can’t say I didn’t see it coming, however, with Nissan’s move to a unibody platform for the Pathfinder->ke548 – the Xterra’s cousin. Slow sales thanks to a thirsty V-6 engine, low-budget tech options, and years since a refresh have all played a role in sealing this vehicle’s fate.

Frontier->ke547

Note: 2015 Nissan Frontier shown here

Since Nissan is focused on launching the Titan XD for 2016, I don’t suspect much will be done about the Frontier until at least 2018. At that time, expect some major changes, including an all-new body, frame, exterior design, and interior accommodations. Rumors have been swirling about the next Frontier coming with a four-cylinder turbodiesel. That’s perfectly logical given Nissan’s relationship with Cummins and the Colorado->ke1193/Canyon->ke1781 twins coming with a four-cylinder turbodiesel for 2016.

Titan XD

Note: 2016 Nissan Titan XD shown here.

The Titan XD is stealing many of Nissan’s headlines these days, and rightly so. The pickup truck->ke242 is attempting to define and create a new group of trucks that have the advantages of both the light duty and heavy duty class of personal pickup trucks. The new 5.0-liter Cummins V-8 turbodiesel has been leading those headlines with its 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. Nissan says the truck will be able to pull more than 12,000 pounds and will come with a factory-optional gooseneck hitch.

The Titan XD’s interior is also a vast improvement over the outgoing trucks’. Higher grade materials, better fitments, and more technology are putting the truck back in the fight against the domestics.

Armada->ke551

2014 Nissan Armada shown here.

Sharing the Titian’s platform and powertrain, the Armada is a beastly full-sized SUV that offers three rows of seating, 4WD, the ability to tow, and V-8 power. Like the Frontier, I don’t expect Nissan to release the next Armada until the 2018 model year.

Sadly there is hearsay the Armada will be sunk in favor of a refresh. Hopefully Nissan will shoot for Chevy Tahoe->ke472 and Suburban->ke263 sales and not come up short. What’s more, Nissan could incorporate many of the Titian XD’s features into the next Armada, giving it more towing capacity than any current full-sized SUV. That’s especially true since GM->ke1024 canned the Suburban and Yukon->ke266 XL 2500 series.

NV Van

Note: 2015 Nissan NV200 shown here.

The NV is Nissan’s answer to the 2015 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna->ke4239 full-sized vans. However, like the Armada, the NV is based on the current generation Titan. It offers both a 4.0-liter V-6 and the 5.6-liter V-8, along with a five-speed automatic transmission and ladder frame. The NV comes in three chassis forms: NV1500, NV2500, and NV3500, with each offering more hauling and towing capability than the last.

The only changes to the NV is the inclusion of the front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted curtain airbags coming standard on NV Cargo models, a new paint color of Cayenne Red, and the SL Technology Package coming standard on more trim levels.

There’s no word on when Nissan will next update the NV van lineup, but my guess is not anytime soon. Here again, Nissan does have the option to include more Titan XD parts into the construction, so perhaps that will be the case.

NV200

Note: 2015 Nissan NV200 shown here.

Nissan’s little cargo van than could, the NV200, competes with the Ford Transit->ke4481 Connect. Literally the only change happening here is the new color of Taxi Yellow getting added to the NV200 Cargo’s paint swatch. Otherwise both the Cargo and Passenger version of the van remain the same.

Don’t expect any major updates here within the next three years.