Nissan

Do the Toyota FT-4X and Nissan Xmotion Concepts Hint at Future of Off-Roaders?

They aren't necessarily the next-gen FJ Cruiser and Xterra we were hoping for, but they're promising concepts nonetheless.

After decades of cute utes and soft roaders, it looks like off-road enthusiasts might have some small, affordable crossovers to look forward to.

The recent introductions of rugged-looking concepts like the Toyota FT-4X and Nissan Xmotion show that there is at least a hope for more vehicles like the Jeep Renegade, a subcompact that is fully capable of hitting the trails.

Now, just because these concepts exist doesn't mean we'll ever see a production model or, if we do, that it will look anything like the concept, but their existence does suggest show that these automakers are at least thinking outside the box.

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After all, not everyone wants (or can afford) bigger, thirstier, and more expensive off-roaders like the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler.

2017 Toyota FT-4X Concept

Toyota

Introduced last year at the 2017 New York Auto Show, the Toyota FT-4X Concept - which stands for "Future Toyota-Four-Wheel Drive Crossover" - is a tall, boxy crossover that resembles an off-road-ready Kia Soul.

Toyota

Although it rides on the same platform as the Toyota C-HR, this concept has ample ground and short overhangs, which would give it great off-road potential.

2018 Nissan Xmotion Concept

Nissan

Just this month, the Nissan Xmotion - pronounced "cross motion" - Concept was unveiled at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Nissan

This concept not only displays a potentially future "traditional SUV" for Nissan, but also reveals a new design language and next-gen cabin and safety technology.

While Nissan has been lacking a rugged, family-sized SUV since the Xterra was killed off and the Pathfinder targeted mainstream crossover buyers, a production version of the Xmotion Concept could carve out a unique niche in the crossover/SUV market.

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