Nissan’s New “King of Off-Road” — Xterra SUV: First Renderings Revealed

Last year, rumors began circulating that Nissan was planning to revive the Xterra name for a new SUV that would become one of the most capable off-road vehicles in the Japanese automaker’s history.

Those rumors were effectively confirmed just days ago by Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, who stated that “Nissan is back” and ready to prove it with action, not just words.

And now it’s finally happened. Yesterday, at a closed-door event organized specifically for North American dealers, Nissan unveiled the new Xterra and also confirmed several other upcoming off-road-focused projects.

According to multiple well-informed outlets, the new Xterra is expected to hit the market in the second half of 2028. It will reportedly be followed by updated versions of the Pathfinder, Frontier, and even the Infiniti QX60.

All of these vehicles are expected to use body-on-frame construction and be built in the United States, a move aimed at avoiding import tariffs and keeping production costs down.

For the Xterra, an electrified powertrain has already been confirmed. Similar setups are expected to be offered on Nissan’s other upcoming off-road models, though technical specifications remain strictly under wraps for now.

Earlier reports suggested that the new Nissan Xterra will feature a two-speed transfer case with a dedicated 4-Lo mode, a key ingredient in positioning it as a true “king of off-road.”

The SUV is also expected to feature a rugged, aggressive design with sharp body lines, generous ground clearance, and a range of bold exterior color options.