The Next-Generation Nissan Xterra has arrived, and here’s your initial glimpse.
**Nissan**
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The verdict is still out on whether Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa was correct in stating that “Nissan is back” last year, but one thing is clear: the Xterra certainly is. This evening, while introducing a new strategic plan for Nissan and Infiniti, the Japanese automaker unveiled the first image of the next-generation Nissan Xterra, affirming its commitment to reintroducing the once-popular off-road SUV in the coming years.
The teaser image displays the Xterra’s angular front end, showcasing a segmented light bar across the nose, flanked by daytime running lights, lower projector lamps with integrated turn signals, a three-section grille, and prominent character lines stretching down the hood towards the fenders. NISSAN is emblazoned across the front in large letters. (Was anyone else expecting a badge there?) And yes, it is indeed yellow, as we noted last year. As is typical with these releases, editing the image in Photoshop reveals a clearer view but provides little additional information.
Do the side indicators remind anyone else of Hyundai’s pixel design? Nissan
However! Here’s a suggestion. If you want a clearer idea of how the Xterra may appear, check out the new Nissan Frontier plug-in hybrid pickup that the automaker has recently unveiled for the Chinese market. That truck is built on a different platform by Dongfeng, so the specifics don't align perfectly with the new Xterra, which will be constructed on the actual Nissan Frontier platform and will also provide a regular hybrid option (confusing, I know). Still, you can see that the lighting signature and overall design theme are largely similar.
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Honestly, it looks pretty good. I won’t lie; as a fan of vehicles with distinct faces, I would have preferred if Nissan had simply attached the current Frontier’s nose to the Xterra and called it a day, similar to their approach with the original Xterra. However, this version is undeniably sharper and seems more aligned with the Nissan Z, for instance. Unlike the Z’s exquisite design, which remains undervalued as prices increase in a shrinking sports coupe market, the Xterra might provide Nissan with what it needs most: sales.
We’ve been tracking the Xterra’s relaunch since rumors first emerged, revealing that Nissan aims to start pricing below $40,000, utilize a V6 engine instead of a turbo-four, and use the Xterra as a base to create a new “family” of body-on-frame trucks that could potentially include a new Pathfinder. Today’s announcement also confirmed, as anticipated, that the Xterra will be available with both hybrid and non-hybrid V6 options. If it wasn’t apparent before, it is now clearly targeting the Toyota 4Runner. This will be intriguing.
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The Next-Generation Nissan Xterra has arrived, and here’s your initial glimpse.
Our initial look at the revived Nissan Xterra SUV showcases a rugged front design, a divided light bar, a bold hood, and, naturally, yellow coloring.