In the late 1990s, everything was extreme with an X. We’re talking X Games, D-Generation X, Static-X, the list goes on. Wanting to cash in on this trend of edgy lifestyles, Nissan whipped up an SUV body for its then-new Frontier pickup truck and called it the XTerra. Spoiler alert: It was good.
It turns out that a rugged two-row body-on-frame SUV with a lockable cargo tray on the roof and space for a first aid kit in the tailgate hit upon a desirable niche, and it largely kept getting better over time. The 2002 model year saw the introduction of a supercharged model, new bright colors kept rolling out, and loaded models eventually gained a Rockford Fosgate sound system with an eight-inch subwoofer.
For 2005, Nissan rolled out the second-generation XTerra, and while automatic models had some issues with internal radiator failures, stick-shift models were better than ever. A new six-speed manual featured a wider ratio spread than the old five-speed, the new four-liter V6 boasted a substantial boost in output, stick-shift and PRO-4X models got a Dana 44 out back, and the PRO-4X featured a locking rear diff and a clutch interlock bypass for getting out of sticky situations.
Sadly, the XTerra died before the recent off-road revival could even kick off. Its last model year was 2015, meaning it’s been basically an entire decade since Nissan offered a chunky two-row off-roader in North America. Well, Nissan teased its future North American models on Wednesday, and one particularly squared-off silhouette stood out.
See that in the back on the left? That’s one remarkably boxy vehicle, although it’s hard to get a sense of its scale. We know the vehicle in front of it is a refreshed Pathfinder, so we’re definitely looking at a two-row machine, but how big is it really, and what capabilities might it have? This excerpt from a press release might point toward what we can expect.
Then from late FY27, an all-new Nissan EV is scheduled to commence production at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant in the U.S. The all-new model will be an adventure-focused SUV.
Ah. Alright, so that’s most likely not a body-on-frame combustion-powered two-row SUV, but instead something unibody and powered by batteries. Depending on how it’s made, an EV SUV can have serious off-road chops—just look at Rivian—but there’s reason to be cautious here.
For one, Nissan doesn’t have a dedicated EV off-road platform right now. The CMF-EV platform underneath the Ariya and new Leaf is very much road-focused, and you’d likely want better articulation than that for trails. The second is that none of Nissan’s current electric drive units feature limited-slip or locking differentials, although that could be solved by 2027. Finally, does that silhouette look a bit Bronco Sport to you, or is it just me?
It looks like we’ll have to wait until 2027 to see just how XTerra-ish this new squared-off Nissan EV is. I reckon so long as it has some actual off-road hardware, it’ll do okay provided specs and pricing are competitive. Still, it’ll have to face off against the Rivian R3, and that could be an interesting fight indeed.
Top graphic image: Nissan
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The TV station I worked for in the early-90s had a fleet of first gen four-door (so I guess they were 1990 model) Pathfinders. They were capable, reliable and I think the best-looking SUV Nissan has ever made. Aside from a couple of crashed ones, they all made it to 200K miles without major repairs. I would love to own and drive one even now.
We bought a 2005 Xterra SE new and was my wife’s daily for 10 years. It still is driven once or twice a week. Other than brakes (2014), batteries (2009, 2015, 2020), and a sometimes broken front driver’s side window regulator (since 2010 that is some gremlin that can’t be replicated while at shop) it’s been a total beast. Sat last year in the driveway for 8 weeks in temps between -15F and +20F and started right up with out an issue when I got back to town. And that really damn good Rockford-Fosgate stereo with the sweet sweet early 2000’s 6-disc CD changer! One of the best engine-transmission combos ever with the ultrareliable (in my experience) 5-speed auto and bulletproof 4.0 V6. What a great vehicle.
No way can any manufacturer make a vehicle like it nowadays. That interior plastic alone would scare off 99% of buyers.
So wait… you’re trying to tell me that Nissan has been spending money on new product development? Isn’t that just like rearranging the deck chairs at this point?
Short answer: No.
I modded and abused an Xterra Off Road (yes, before it was the Pro-4X it was the Off Road package) with a manual 6 speed for nearly 15 years and over 200,000 miles of me beating that thing like it owed me money. It took every bit of it, bounced and scraped over rocks, hauled well over it’s design limit over hard trails, and just kept asking for more — and it did it all while costing a full third less than a 4Runner and probably half an FJ Cruiser while being just as reliable.
I don’t know what that is back there, but every year or two some crappy blog or AI garbage posts up an old rendering saying that a new Xterra is on the way next year. That’s been the case since it was discontinued in 2015.
If the Xterra were to come back you would see filings for trademarks and new logos, filings with the EPA, NHTSA to get started on crash testing, and a bunch of others. The Xterra was made here in the US, so you would have leaks from factory workers as lines are re-tooled and pre-production begins. But most of all it would be a reversal from Nissan’s stated priorities of small crossovers and EVs.
CVT me later. No thank you!
I’ll take IDx without CVT. I’d drive Frontier or Z without complaining. Everything else Nissan is punishment.
The Armada is an absolute gem and I’ll die on that hill.
meh, looks like nothing special. It wouldn’t be hard, and it would be smart to make another Frontier based Xterra, but…you know…Nissan.
It’s going to be amazing when people discover driving on roads again. /S
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a 3 row BEV suv thing. At their insane MSRPs hard to say how much they would want for it. They have had some success with deeply discounted aryia and leaf. Especially with the people dumping their Tesla’s. Nissian isn’t exactly afraid of upside down trade ins. And dealers want to move anything but the bev especially.
Baby XTerra is a great name for a new kaiju flick.
I’d watch it, have him show up alongside a new King Caesar please
The newest iteration of the Frontier Pro-4X is an excellent bang for the buck, why wouldn’t they just use that and boom, XTerra!
My buddy traded in his 12+ year old XTerra for a new Tacoma. After six months I was surprised to hear that he really regrets his decision, wants the XTerra back!
The new Tacoma is apparently a real step back, so I’m not surprised
He hasn’t had any problems with the Taco, he just misses the XTerra. I’m sure the car payment every month doesn’t help when you’re feeling underwhelmed by your purchase.
I bought a new ’13 Xterra Pro4X with the 6-speed manual. While the interior was hard plastics, it was one of my favorite vehicles I owned. I ultimately ended up getting rid of it because I was doing way more highway driving than I intended, and 17mpg was getting bit expensive at the time. I ultimately replaced it with a TDI VW that was probably better in nearly every way, but I didn’t like it as much.
I had a 3rd gen Tacoma for about 6 years. Besides the incredible resale value (double bonus during covid) there was nothing particularly good about the experience. Mine wasn’t even any more reliable than my Golf R or other cars. I continue to be surprised that there are so many Tacoma fanboys out there. Like, I fell for it once, but you’re not gonna get me again; yet a huge numbers of Tacoma people just replace them with another Tacoma never ever ever considering anything else and preach how it’s the greatest truck out there. Honestly, it was disappointing all around. I can see missing an Xterra after owning a Tacoma.
That regret is heard quite often. Just because it’s “popular” doesn’t mean it’s good. People bought and drove Chevrolet Cavaliers too.
For my next new electric car I want it in one of the following configurations:
Very short wheelbase 2 Door FWD or AWD (500e for example)
2 Door Pickup with either a 6ft bed or an 8ft bed
Short wheelbase tow rig (5000lbs minimum towing)
Telo Pickup.
I’m sorry, but I think the BOF SUV has become a niche market in which there are already two players, neither of which is selling zillions. Most people who buy an SUV are looking for the “utility” part – i.e. the modern idiom of a station wagon – and aren’t doing anything remotely like hardcore offroading. And if you’re not driving off-road, there are a lot of downsides to riding on a separate frame.
It is just insanely hard to find a (non-Bronco, Non-Wrangler) SUV with an approach angle better than 20 or 21 degrees. Seems like every unibody/cross-over is loooong in the nose. So it doesn’t take much to be in the top tier of off roaders.
The same could be said about sports cars and track days but then again no one seems to worry or care about sports cars or high-performance cars on the street.
BOF SUVs currently on the market
Wrangler, Bronco, Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Escalade, Expedition/Navigator, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Armada, G-Class. Doesn’t sound so niche to me.
Fair. I should have qualified *small* BOF SUV.
What, you don’t consider a Suburban to be small!?!?! Come on now!
/s
When I worked the auto show for the GMC dealership I work at, I asked everyone who was looking at our Yukon XL if they would be interested in a larger 2500 version with a 4th row. At least 80% said yes, the market is there for something above the Suburban lol
Nissan still sells an XTerra in the middle east, based off the Navara.
https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2021-Nissan-X-Terra-SUV-1555.jpg
It’s more likely another FWD gas powered Kicks, and Kicks-like unit body SUV-ish blob positioned between the new Kicks and the Rogue, or an electric SUV-ish blob based on the new blobby Leaf, and anyway you slice it useless off-road.
Now I’m curious about the potential range and usability of an EV off-road focused vehicle in terms of real world off-road range since the penalty for running out of juice on a remote trail would be pretty harsh. I guess with enough time, several Jerry cans and a portable generator, and plenty of time, you could self charge yourself out of a four figure towing charge.
If it’s an EV, seems like a potential rival to the rumored Toyota Compact Cruiser EV. IIRC the next Frontier was delayed and part of the speculation was that there could be an EV version. Seems like it could coincide with that?
Tough to gauge from the angle if it’s more Bronco Sport sized or Honda Passport sized, seems somewhere in between them. But even if it is more of a rival to those I don’t think it’s the worst thing they could do, would be more of an effort than the Rock Creek editions.
My mother has held onto her 2010 XTerra longer than any vehicle she has ever owned. It’s got 150K miles on it and she does not want to let it go – she doesn’t like crossovers and she doesn’t like Jeeps. This briefly got my hopes up for getting her to like something new, but, yeah, if it ain’t the original…
I’ll join the chorus saying this feels like it will be Nissan’s Bronco Sport.
You’ll have to qualify all off-road praise for it with “for what it is” but it will technically be capable of taking on more terrain than most CUV competitors and, more importantly from a sales standpoint, will have the off-road look.
Nissan could not possibly be more cooked.
Trust.
I’m gonna bet that it’s going to be a tarted up Rogue a la Bronco Sport. It’ll be called Xterra, but it won’t really be an Xterra is my guess. It’s just a silhouette, but it certainly doesn’t appear to be a BOF vehicle based on the proportions. But maybe I’m wrong?
As much as people will be disappointed, Nissan would do well to offer something like the Bronco Sport, as the Rogue may have less enthusiasm from the market than anything else that exists. A little zazz added to the Rogue would be welcome.
In general though, as much as I have little love for Nissan, they certainly have more products that at least seem competitive right now.
Cereal box marketing.
Make multiple variants of the Rogue, all being the same thing underneath, and flood the market with the same SUV skinned to look like all the various different shapes and sizes possible.
Bring back the Datsun name, and sell it separately too.
Yes. I would buy a Rogue or CRV or Rav4 if the approach angle was 21 or better. I am a simple man. Just a very very cheap man. It either needs to be less than $28k or else have a bang on reputation for quality/reliability. Not sure what beyond Bronco Sport or Kia Seltos (I’m not sure that even exists, I don’t recall ever having seen one) would suit my cheapness. I guess what I’m saying is: bring on the slightly modified Rogues, Rav4s, and CRVs!
We don’t need another EV crossover. We need a BOF SUV on the same platform as the Frontier. Keep the same V6 and/or offer a hybrid and it’ll print money. The new 4Runner isn’t being received particularly well. Now is the time to strike. Another $60,000 EV crossover is just going to languish on lots.
Agreed.
This. I waited to see what the new 4Runner was going to be and priced at, and once that news came out, I promptly went and bought a Bronco instead. If Nissan still had a XTerra, I would have looked at that as well. I had a 2003 model and loved it.
Now is the time to strike.
Or, you know…late FY27
The profile’s ground clearance definitely looks more like a crossover than a truck. The Bronco Sport is selling well though, so Nissan could have something here with a softroader looks the part but doesn’t compromise the on-road driving experience. I think Nissan already missed the boat on getting back into the offroad truck market. It’s hard to see them coming up with the resources to make one now given the financial crisis they are facing.
Oh man, I was excited for a minute there. A revival of the X as a 4Runner competitor would be fantastic, it doesn’t even need to be body on frame as long as it has a 2 speed t-case and a solid rear end.
With the new 4Runner getting a soft reception from enthusiasts, an X with the Frontier V6 drivetrain would probably tempt a lot of Toyota owners to convert.
Thank you for mentioning the bronco sport. It looks like it’ll be as un-off-roadable as a bronco sport.
You mean that boxy Escape? 🙂
When my wife sees them, I have to remind her it’s not a real Bronco. It’s basically an Escape…no different than her CrossTrek.
Yep. At least they do not have some super sloped back like most crossovers.
Although some higher levels of Bronco Sport are available with a twin clutch RDU…step up from basic RDU.