Nissan is taking a new tack on its attempted turnaround, especially in the U.S. The automaker revealed changes to its product plan for America, including a potential return to a longtime favorite: the Xterra.
Nissan North America chief Christian Meunier suggested the company would bring back the Xterra.
Can the vehicle that reportedly saved Nissan in the U.S. more than two decades ago — the Xterra — do it again? Nissan’s U.S. executive team believes it could.
“If I could bring a car tomorrow, that would be Xterra,” Nissan Americas Chairperson Christian Meunier told Automotive News. “We’re working on it. We’ll find a way.”
Meunier went on to say a new Xterra would appeal to a variety of potential buyers, ranging from those who want a stylish, affordable midsize SUV to those who want a less-expensive-than-a-Toyota-4Runner off-road-ready ute.
“We are missing it, seeing what’s going on in the market and the sense of freedom people aspire to,” he told Automotive News. During the COVID pandemic, restrictions on gathering in public spaces rekindled America’s love of camping, off-roading and other activities all falling under the category of “overlanding.” The original Xterra was designed just for that kind of activity.
Future products
The Xterra has been dubbed by some as the vehicle that “saved” Nissan more than two decades ago.
The flame was lit for those looking for a new off-road ready vehicle when it rolled out an all-new Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid pickup at Auto Shanghai 2025. The five-seat, dual-purpose pickup has been designed for families who seek a vehicle that can comfortably and efficiently support their daily urban driving as well as weekend adventures beyond the city limits, Nissan noted.
While the truck is designed for the Chinese market, there’s nothing that would limit a similar vehicle from being developed for the North American market. In fact, the company adjusted its production plans for the U.S., specifically its plant in Canton, Mississippi.
By the end of 2028, the company will introduce nearly a dozen new or refreshed vehicles, including next-generation EVs and hybrid, plus Infiniti models.
By the end of 2027, “an all-new Nissan EV is scheduled to commence production at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant in the U.S. The all-new model will be an adventure-focused SUV. It will be joined in FY28 by a luxury Infiniti EV SUV (inspired by the Vision QXe concept) that pairs the brand’s latest Artistry in Motion design language with a suite of technology features.”
More Nissan News
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- Nissan Names “Real Car Guy” as New CEO
Following the trend
Could the 2027 Nissan Frontier Pro hybrid be the basis for a new Xterra in the U.S.?
Should Nissan bring back the Xterra, the company would simply be following the lead of many of its competitors. Ford brought back the Bronco with the intention of creating a whole new family of vehicles. Thus far, it includes the Bronco, Bronco Raptor and Bronco Sport.
Meunier’s well aware of the trend. Before taking over Nissan’s North American operation, he headed up Jeep and saw the brand resurrect the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. The full-size luxury utes were intended to be their own sub-brand with in the Jeep umbrella.
On a smaller scale there are other examples, such as Land Rover bringing back the Defender and upstart British vehicle maker Ineos and its Land Rover clone, the Grenadier and its pickup truck offering, the Trialmaster.
More trends
Ford is among several automakers that found success reviving old nameplates, like the Bronco.
The other trend it’ll likely follow is a move away from purely an internal combustion powertrain to a hybrid or even an all-electric offering. Again, Nissan changed its product plans for the Canton plant, moving from two all-electric sedans to an electric SUV.
While an electric version is possible, Meunier hinted to Automotive News a hybrid technology featuring a range-extending generator “is the future” for larger SUVs.
“It gives you the opportunity to have the electric [driving] experience for 70 to 100 miles and a 600-mile drive range combined,” Meunier said. “Maybe an Xterra should be like that.”
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