by Nissan mentioned that it is preparing to launch a new electric SUV for North America, which will focus on adventure. Although the name has not yet been announced, the electric car may indicate the return of the Xterra brand. The model is planned to debut in the first quarter of 2028 and will be manufactured at the plant in Mississippi. During a recent product roadmap presentation by the company, one of the new electric crossovers in the Netherlands caught our interest. Although details are still lacking, it looks like this car could become a modern reincarnation of the Xterra.
This electric car was shown in a group promo video along with the updated Pathfinder and new versions of the Rogue (X-Trail) crossovers. Nissan described it as an “SUV focused on adventure,” confirming that it is an electric car. Additionally, Nissan revealed that this “completely new” electric crossover will be manufactured at the Canton plant in Mississippi. Production is scheduled to begin at the end of the fiscal year in Japan 2027, which ends on March 31, 2028. From the official (darkened) material, it seems that the crossover has a square shape, massive roof rails, and a fully enclosed grille with integrated LED graphics and an illuminated Nissan emblem.
The rear shoulders are prominently outlined, dynamic lines are present on the hood, and plastic cladding around the wheel arches adds a rugged charm to the SUV. This design hints at the adventure orientation of the vehicle. Based on the information we found, the design models lean towards an off-road aesthetic, which further supports the assumption that this car could be a spiritual successor to the Xterra. The yet-unknown electric vehicle seems smaller than the Pathfinder and Rogue, positioning itself closer to the compact crossover segment. Although Nissan has not disclosed any technical specifications, there is a possibility that it will be based on a single architecture.
This sets it apart from past body-on-frame models, although enhanced suspension, a dual-motor AWD drive, and smart off-road technology may still provide it with decent off-road capability.
