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Nissan Revives Xterra SUV with Rugged, Off-Road Focused Design
The new Xterra will feature a beefy, muscular look with big tires and a focus on off-road capability.
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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Nissan is bringing back the Xterra SUV with a new model set to arrive in 2028. According to dealers who have seen the vehicle, the revived Xterra will have a rugged, off-road focused design with a muscular grille, big tires, and an aggressive, no-frills aesthetic that pays homage to the original. The new Xterra will be built on a new body-on-frame platform that will also underpin future versions of the Pathfinder, Frontier, and potentially an Infiniti model.
Why it matters
The return of the Xterra nameplate represents Nissan's effort to re-enter the popular body-on-frame, off-road SUV market currently dominated by models like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. As consumer demand for capable, adventure-ready vehicles continues to grow, Nissan is aiming to capture a share of this lucrative segment with the rugged and functional new Xterra.
The details
According to dealers who received a preview, the 2028 Nissan Xterra will feature a bold, muscular design with a large, aggressive grille, big off-road tires, and an overall rugged, no-frills aesthetic that pays homage to the original Xterra model. The new SUV will be built on a new body-on-frame platform that Nissan plans to use for several future models, including the next-generation Pathfinder and Frontier. This platform consolidation suggests the new Xterra will share underpinnings and potentially some powertrain components with those other Nissan trucks and SUVs.
- The new Xterra is slated to go into production at Nissan's Canton, Mississippi facility in the second half of 2028.
- Nissan first announced plans to revive the Xterra nameplate in late 2025.
The players
Nissan
A Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer that is reviving the Xterra SUV nameplate as part of its effort to re-enter the body-on-frame, off-road vehicle market.
Scott Smith
President of Smith Automotive Group in Atlanta, who has seen the new Xterra and described it as a 'radical-looking' vehicle with a beefy, muscular design.
Charlie Hicks
CEO of Hicks Automotive Group in Texas, who also previewed the new Xterra and said it pays respect to the original model while having a modern twist.
What they’re saying
“There's an aggression to it”
— Charlie Hicks, CEO, Hicks Automotive Group (Automotive News)
“The dealers are super-excited about it because it's going to be a great example of Nissan coming back”
— Christian Meunier, Chairman, Nissan (Bloomberg)
What’s next
Nissan has not yet revealed specific details about the new Xterra's pricing, features, or off-road capabilities, but those details are expected to be announced closer to the vehicle's launch in the second half of 2028.
The takeaway
The revival of the Xterra nameplate signals Nissan's intent to compete in the growing body-on-frame, off-road SUV market currently dominated by models like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. By leveraging the Xterra's legacy and equipping it with a rugged, functional design, Nissan hopes to capture the attention of adventurous consumers seeking a capable, no-frills 4x4 option.
