Nissan confirms Xterra comeback
Nissan has teased the return of the Xterra and confirmed a new body‑on‑frame model for the 2029 model year, with buyers able to choose between a gas‑only V‑6 or a V‑6 hybrid powertrain (Car and Driver). The announcement frames Xterra as a traditional, rugged SUV concept rather than a car‑based crossover, pointing to Nissan’s product plans through the late‑2020s (Car and Driver).
Nissan said Tuesday that Xterra will return in late 2028 as a 2029 model, ending an 11-year gap for the off-road sport utility vehicle. (usa.nissannews.com) The company said the new Xterra will be built in the United States on a body-on-frame platform, the truck-style layout used by vehicles designed for towing and rough trails. Buyers will get a gas-only V-6 or an available V-6 hybrid. (cars.com) Nissan tied the announcement to an April 14, 2026 media event in Nashville, where it previewed the 2027 Rogue Hybrid and outlined a longer-term product plan for North America. The release included teaser images but no horsepower, pricing, or full design details. (usa.nissannews.com) (caranddriver.com) The body-on-frame decision marks a break from the car-based crossover formula that dominates Nissan’s current sport utility lineup. Cars.com said Nissan is positioning Xterra against truck-based rivals such as the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. (cars.com) The return also fits a broader shift inside Nissan’s U.S. plans. Nissan said it is exploring a family of five U.S.-built models on a new body-on-frame platform, with possible expansion into pickups and multi-row sport utility vehicles across Nissan and Infiniti. (usa.nissannews.com) Reports before Tuesday had pointed to that wider truck program. The Drive, citing dealer presentations in February, said the Xterra would be the first of five related vehicles, followed by an Infiniti variant, a new Frontier pickup, a body-on-frame Pathfinder, and an Infiniti QX60. (thedrive.com) Xterra was sold in the United States from the 2000 through 2015 model years and was originally based on the Frontier pickup. Cars.com said Nissan dropped it after sales fell and fuel economy lagged competitors, with the manual-transmission version rated at 17 miles per gallon combined. (cars.com) Nissan’s plans for the nameplate have changed over time. MotorTrend reported in October 2025 that the company had moved away from an earlier electric-vehicle concept and toward a hybrid, body-on-frame reboot to be built in Canton, Mississippi. (motortrend.com) For now, Nissan has confirmed the format and the timing, but not the fine print. The next concrete step is a fuller reveal before the late-2028 launch window Nissan gave on Tuesday. (usa.nissannews.com)
