by The Return of a Legend
Nissan announced that artificial intelligence will become the main driver of its future, enabling the creation of so-called “AI-defined vehicles.” This is happening against the backdrop of the completion of the Re:Nissan plan, which allowed the company to significantly reduce costs. Perhaps the most anticipated news is the return of the rugged Xterra SUV, eleven years after it disappeared from the lineup in 2015.
This is not the first confirmation from Nissan regarding the revival of the Xterra, but it is the first time the new car has been shown in the form of a teaser. A short video published online gives an idea of the front end of the Xterra, and it looks very fitting for this name.
Xterra fans want a V6 engine and a manual transmission. Nissan is giving them only half of that.
Design and Technical Features
The front end of the SUV is executed in a straight, vertical style and features a large black grille, as well as a split headlight design. The latter includes a yellowish fog light illumination located in the slit between the bumper and the hood. A muscular hood is also noticeable. According to Nissan, the new Xterra will be manufactured in the USA, with its launch scheduled for the end of 2028.
The Xterra will be based on a new body-on-frame platform, which could underpin four other models to be produced in the USA. The new Xterra will also be offered with gasoline and hybrid V6 powertrains.
A Bold New Future
The new Xterra will fall into one of the four new vehicle categories on which Nissan will focus in the future. The first category, “Heartbeat,” will include the Xterra and a new Skyline for Japan. The second, “Core,” will include the new Rogue, X-Trail, and electric Juke. The third, “Growth,” is focused on models for developing markets, and the fourth is “Partner.” By the end of 2028, Infiniti will also launch a new premium sports sedan and a luxury compact hybrid SUV.
Technology and Strategy
As part of the new long-term vision “Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life,” the automaker will combine Nissan AI Drive and Nissan AI Partner technologies to enhance the autonomous driving capabilities of its cars. The new Elgrand will be the first model to receive these latest technologies, with the goal of achieving full autonomous functionality by the end of fiscal year 2027.
Nissan also announced that it will simplify its model lineup by reducing the number of cars from 56 to 45. The company did not confirm which specific models will be discontinued, noting only that it will affect “low-performing” ones.
The return of the Xterra comes at a pivotal moment for Nissan, as the company tries to combine its heritage in building rugged off-roaders with ambitious plans for electrification and autonomy. The decision to focus on body-on-frame architecture and traditional V6 engines is likely aimed at a loyal audience looking for a true off-roader, not just another crossover. The success of this strategy will depend on whether Nissan can offer modern technologies, such as hybrid powertrains and driver-assistance systems, without losing the qualities that made the original Xterra iconic.
