Two vehicles from Nissan that could help the automaker weather the downturn in sales of trucks and SUVs are getting "numerous refinements" for 2009, Nissan North America says.

They are the compact Frontier pickup and Xterra sport utility vehicle, both of a size that some industry analysts say might represent the future of the truck market in the United States, given the relentless fuel price increases.

Nissan (ENLARGE)

Nissan Frontier

Nissan (ENLARGE)

Nissan Xterra

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Both are arriving in dealerships now, the company announced.

The Frontier, a continuation of Nissan's small-pickup line that dates to its early days as a Datsun brand in the United States, still offers a four-cylinder engine in its base extended-cab two-wheel-drive model.

A four-cylinder option is conspicuously absent from the Xterra, though, but at least there is no V-8 option like you'll find in the competing Dodge Dakota.

But it could be just a matter of time before Nissan bows to market pressures and adds its efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to the Xterra lineup. The survival of the Xterra, a favorite of outdoors-minded young consumers, might depend on that.

For 2009, the up-level engine in the Frontier and the only one available in the Xterra is Nissan's 4.0-liter V-6, which isn't exactly a gas hog. Rated at 261 horsepower and 281 foot-pounds of torque, this engine has EPA ratings of up to 16 miles per gallon city/20 highway in the 2008 Frontier, still quite an improvement over the 12 city/17 highway of the full-size Nissan Titan pickup with its 5.6-liter V-8.

The 2.5-liter four, though, has EPA ratings as high as 19 city/23 highway in the '08 Frontier, which come close to the mileage of some popular sedans with four-cylinder engines. Ratings of the 2009 models have not been announced.

The Xterra and Frontier are favorites of off-road aficionados because of their capabilities on the trail, and it's these customers who will help keep these two iconic brands afloat.

Both vehicles offer "refreshed styling" for 2009, along with some new equipment and package options, Nissan says.

And to help boost sales of the Xterra, the '09 model will roll out with a no-cost technology package available for a limited time. The package includes an eight-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system (with subwoofer), along with XM satellite radio (automatic transmission models only), Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, steering-wheel audio controls and an auxiliary input jack for connection of an iPod or other audio player. This option will be available on all S, Off-Road and SE models, Nissan says.

The revisions to the Xterra include a new front end and wheel designs, along with new off-road lights built into the roof-rack air dam (on off-road models only).

Inside, there are new seat materials and colors. And for safety, Nissan has added roof-mounted side-curtain air bags with rollover sensor for both rows of seats as standard equipment — a must for any SUV.

The Xterra's V-6 engine is connected to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, and both are available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive system is part-time, so the vehicle can be left in two-wheel drive except when the extra traction is needed. Four-wheel drive knocks the mileage down to 14 city from 15 with the automatic transmission, but has no effect on the highway rating, which is 20 mpg with either drive mode or transmission.

Nissan says the Xterra stays "true to the original" design concept of offering drivers "everything you need, and nothing you don't."

Among features that bolster that concept is a "multiflex" interior that has "an abundance of usable space, storage and convenience features — including an available Easy Clean cargo area, a tie-down channel system" and 10 cargo hooks, the automaker said.

Changes in the Frontier — which Nissan says continues to have "premium hardware, extraordinary power and off-road athleticism" — include a revised front end, new 16- and 18-inch wheel designs, a new center stack for the audio and heating/air-conditioning unit (V-6 models), a new cloth seat for the LE models and two new exterior colors, red brick and navy blue.

The Frontier will continue to be available in the extended-cab (King) and Crew Cab body styles. Also offered will be the new Pro-4X trim level, designed for off-road enthusiasts.

The Frontier and Xterra are assembled at Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tenn., and the engines are built at a Nissan facility in Decherd, Tenn.