Nissan has been accused of softening several of its SUVs in recent times, with the likes of the X-Trail and Pathfinder – and arguably even the Patrol – pivoting more towards family-oriented vehicles than rugged off-roaders (or soft-roaders, in the case of the X-Trail).
While the Patrol still maintains its off-road credibility, Nissan now appears to be working on an all-new mid-size off-road vehicle – with Toyota firmly in its crosshairs.
Speaking to business news outlet Bloomberg, Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier confirmed the company is working on bringing back the Xterra – Nissan’s answer to the Toyota 4Runner – with hybrid V6 power.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Despite Nissan never offering the Xterra in Australia (nor the later D23 Navara-based Terra SUV sold in some Asian and Middle Eastern markets since 2018), both generations were related to the Nissan Pathfinder and Navara of the day, sharing platforms and engines.
But while the Pathfinder and Navara continued, the Xterra disappeared from the Nissan lineup in North America back in 2015 due to increasing stringent emissions standards.
According to Mr Meunier, the new Xterra will share its underpinnings and powertrains with the latest Pathfinder, as well as several other models from Nissan and its luxury arm, Infiniti, spelling a shift from ladder-frame to unibody (monocoque) construction.
“The dealers are super excited about it because it’s going to be a great example of Nissan coming back,” he told Bloomberg.
“With the market being very uncertain about EVs, I think it’s the right thing to do.”
However, despite Nissan Australia having no answer for large body-on-frame off-road SUVs like the Ford Everest,Toyota Prado, and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (apart from its extra-large, LandCruiser 300 Series-rivalling Patrol), it remains unlikely at this stage that the Xterra will be produced in right-hand drive for the Australian market.
With manufacturing slated for Nissan’s factory in Mississippi, the all-new Xterra is expected to launch in North America in 2028.
MORE: Nissan Pathfinder becoming rugged Prado rival, smaller off-roader coming
