Positive. I was there last night picking up clarifying info for both it, and new info on the Pathfinder (Still nice, but only runs on premium now...ouch.) I reached down and touched/knocked on it myself. Sticks out in front, painted silver plastic, plastic skid plate. I didn't look under the nose; there might be a metal one underneath it; making it just cover.

Clicky here for Picture. That silver between the fog lights? All plastic.

As I said in the review, they're going to "upscale" the XTerra more and more in the next few years. The pathfinder will go away. They haven't announced it, but they will probably either keep a cheap version of the XTerra, or introduce a new "low end" non-luxury model to fill the current XTerra niche. This is normal. Remember the orignal 4Runner...a pickup truck with a cab over the rear, and bench seat bolted down to the enclosed bed. They've come a long way, and spun off a LandCruiser and Lexus along the way.

Darwin's Law of SUVelution: All SUV's will get larger and more luxurious.
Isuzu's Coralary: Except the Rodeo.