--- title: "It’s back? New Nissan HardBody teased ahead of Sept 14th reveal" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2023/09/its-back-new-nissan-hardbody-teased-ahead-of-sept-14th-reveal/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Tim Esterdahl" published: "2023-09-08T19:07:47+00:00" modified: "2025-07-23T15:11:38+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1989-Hardbody-Truck-copy.jpg" --- # It’s back? New Nissan HardBody teased ahead of Sept 14th reveal By Tim Esterdahl Published: 2023-09-08T19:07:47+00:00 Updated: 2025-07-23T15:11:38+00:00 ![Featured image]() The Nissan Hardbody has been teased as coming back and there’s a lot to speculate on what could be a new compact truck. According to a [Nissan press release](), the Nissan Hardbody name will return on September 14. This coincides with the 2nd media and technology day at the [North American International Auto Show](). The show officially opens to the public on Saturday. ## **![Nissan Hardbody]()What is the Nissan Hardbody?** Back in the early 1980s, the Nissan Hardbody was a compact truck with good fuel economy, low bed height and a double-walled truck bed able to withstand some punishment. This tough bed was where the truck got its name. It was available in 2WD or 4WD with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. You could get it in a regular cab or an extended cabin configuration. This was replaced with the larger Nissan Frontier with the changing truck market wanting more ground clearance, roomier cabins and a taller truck. ## **Why bring it back?** Back then, the compact truck segment seemingly vanished overnight. All pickups used to be compact while trucks were big and used for hauling or towing. Now with the [Ford Maverick]() and [Hyundai Santa Cruz]() proving there is a market for a truly compact pickup again, the Nissan Hardbody seems like a natural fit. Imagine a smaller truck than the Frontier with a cheaper price point and better fuel economy. This could be the Nissan Hardbody. However, it might not be a ICE engine. Instead, it could be fully electric. Remember the [Nissan Titan was killed this year]() and Nissan said they were reserving space at their Canton, Mississippi plant for two electric vehicles. Could the Nissan Hardbody be a battery electric compact truck? Now that’s an interesting question. ## **![]()** ## **Just a Frontier trim level?** While a compact truck would be great, many outlets are suggesting this is just going to be a retro inspired Nissan Frontier trim. Yup, a Nissan Frontier trim of the midsize truck. Basically, a nothing really to see here trim version and buzzkill of what could be really cool. ## **The bottom line** Speculation will be rampant on this for another week until we truly know what Nissan is up to with the Hardbody. I, for one, would love to see a Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz competitor since competition is good. However, I could also see a full EV Nissan Hardbody with the way automakers have been moving in recent years. What do you think? Excited or blah? ICE or EV? [Embedded video]() ## Structured page information ~~~json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2023/09/its-back-new-nissan-hardbody-teased-ahead-of-sept-14th-reveal/#article", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2023/09/its-back-new-nissan-hardbody-teased-ahead-of-sept-14th-reveal/" }, "author": { "name": "Tim Esterdahl", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/person/82b06f99329f69a069a5ab6caed18593" }, "headline": "It’s back? 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