Is The Nissan Xterra Really Coming Back? Here’s What We Know
Rumors are swirling in the off-road community, and I’ve been tracking them closely. Nissan might be bringing back the beloved Xterra SUV – but there’s a catch. It might be electric, and it might be caught in political crossfires that could delay or even cancel its return.
The evidence is piling up. Nissan recently filed a trademark application for the Xterra name in the U.S., and a teaser image from the company showed a boxy, rugged SUV with familiar roof rails that immediately made old-school Xterra fans like me take notice.
Why Nissan Might Revive an Icon
Let’s be real – Nissan’s current lineup could use some excitement. While the Rogue and Pathfinder are competent family haulers, they lack the character and capability that made the original Xterra so special. With competitors like the Ford Bronco and new Toyota Land Cruiser cleaning up in the off-road market, Nissan has every reason to throw its hat back in the ring.
The original Xterra wasn’t just some generic SUV. It won MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year award in 2000 and developed a cult following among outdoor enthusiasts who appreciated its straightforward, capable design.
Nissan Xterra
The Electric Question
Early signs point to an electric powertrain. The teased vehicle shows a short front end with plenty of space between the axles for a battery pack. Nissan has also been investing heavily in retooling its Mississippi plant for EV production.
But here’s where it gets complicated. Nissan recently announced significant cost-cutting measures and even canceled a planned battery plant in Japan. Between changing EV incentives and potential tariff shifts, the business case for a new electric SUV keeps getting harder to make.
The timeline has already slipped from 2027 to late 2028 at the earliest, and that’s assuming the political and economic winds stay favorable.
Nissan Xterra
Could Gas Power Save the Day?
There’s another possibility that would make many traditional off-road enthusiasts happy: Nissan could build the new Xterra on the same platform as the Frontier pickup. This body-on-frame, gas-powered approach would:
Appeal directly to Bronco and Land Cruiser buyers
Avoid the regulatory uncertainty of EVs
Likely be more profitable in the short term
Have strong appeal in the North American market
The downside? A gas-powered Xterra would have limited global appeal as other markets push harder toward electrification.
The Bottom Line
As much as I’d love to see the Xterra nameplate return, I’m keeping my expectations in check. The automotive landscape has changed dramatically since the original went out of production in 2015.
If it does return – whether as an EV or gas vehicle – expect a price between $38,000-$48,000, putting it squarely in competition with the Bronco, Land Cruiser, and Jeep Wrangler.
What do you think? Should Nissan bring back the Xterra as an electric vehicle or stick with gas power? Would you buy one either way? Let me know in the comments.
1 thought on “Nissan Xterra Rumored Return: Electric Revival or Gas-Powered Comeback?”