Dealers Say The New Nissan Xterra Will Be "Radical-Looking"

This week, behind closed doors, Nissan dealers in Las Vegas saw the latest Xterra. After more than a decade away, Nissan plots a return for the 4x4 off-road SUV. In its day, the Xterra was heralded for its back-to-basics approach to the off-road SUV in a segment that many saw as becoming too modernized and digital. Of course, a decade later, the off-road segment is more about tech than ever, but it appears Nissan will still aim for a rugged ethos for its SUV, say dealers who saw the SUV at the North American Automotive Dealer Show (NADA).

The rugged new Xterra

Automotive News cited Smith, president of the Smith Automotive Group near Atlanta, as saying the new Xterra will be a two-row off-roader with a "radical-looking" exterior. Another dealer said the SUV has an "aggression to it." There's an overall emphasis on toughness and durability to the new SUV, said the dealers, and the design features a large, rugged grille front and center.

There are sure to be some callbacks to the old model's design. Nissan will want to capitalize on what people remember about the Xterra, like its integrated roof rails, distinct rear end, and square body. Of course, expect the familiar Pro4x name to return as well. This was the SUV's most-aggressive off-road-focused trim at the time, featuring enhanced suspension, a locking rear differential, and skid plates to keep everything intact. It's likely the SUV's big V6 will receive an update, if not outright replacement, possibly with a version of Nissan's Pathfinder-derived V6.

Nissan plots an aggressive course

The departure from the old Xterra's softer looks makes sense. Right around the time the SUV's run ended, Toyota debuted an aggressive, angular look for its then-new 4Runner. The Xterra's chief competitor has only grown more aggressive since, with the latest 4Runner arguably being the most off-road-focused yet. The number of off-road-ready trims has soared, and it's easy to see Nissan taking a similarly aggressive approach to compete. The brand will have to compete on price as well, but top-tier 4Runner trims have gotten pricey, leaving Nissan with the task of undercutting the SUV while delivering something largely competitive.

Since the model's death, the off-road segment has swelled beyond just the 4Runner. Across multiple segments, many automakers now offer off-road takes on their small and large SUV lineups, and the Xterra's return is part of a similar effort at Nissan. Vehicles like the Pathfinder Rock Creek have continued to push the brand in this direction, and the Xterra should take things to new heights. Meanwhile, we could also see an Infiniti take on the Pathfinder, representing an alternative to luxury off-roaders like the Lexus GX and Land Rover Defender. It'll be a bit of a wait, as Nissan dealers reportedly saw a car slated for the 2028 model year at the earliest, if not a 2029 model year car.