4 Minutes
Nissan is not being subtle here. The revived Xterra is shaping up as a proper body on frame SUV aimed straight at the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner crowd, and early signs suggest it will not be a soft roader wearing hiking boots for show.
Recent teaser images from Nissan have given fans plenty to talk about. Up front, the upcoming Xterra appears to wear a bluff, upright nose with a sculpted hood, bold Nissan lettering across the grille, split lighting elements, and lower mounted LED lamps. It is the kind of face designed to look tough before the tires ever touch dirt.
Independent renderings built from those teasers fill in the blanks with a shape that feels believable and, more importantly, fitting for the badge. The SUV is imagined with a dark lower bumper, a silver skid plate, and the kind of squared off stance buyers in this class expect. Nothing about it looks delicate.
A second teaser, shared by Nissan on LinkedIn, shifts the attention to the side profile. That angle matters because it confirms the Xterra is chasing real off road credibility. The proportions suggest generous ground clearance, a high riding body, darkened pillars, a contrasting roof, and wheels wrapped in proper all terrain rubber. It looks planted. Useful. Built for trails, not just city curbs.
Even the rear details, while still unofficial in rendered form, point in the same direction. The illustrations show a side opening tailgate, visible tow hooks, LED rear lights, and an externally mounted spare wheel carrier. If Nissan keeps those touches for production, the Xterra could bring back some of the old school character that made rugged SUVs feel honest in the first place.
The part that matters most
Underneath, the new Xterra is expected to ride on a fresh body on frame platform that Nissan intends to use for several future SUVs. That alone tells you this is not a one off nostalgia play. It is part of a wider plan.
Power should come from two V6 options, one standard and one hybrid assisted. That gives the Xterra a clear answer for buyers who still want the smooth, muscular feel of six cylinders in a market increasingly crowded with smaller turbo engines. A manual gearbox is not expected, which will disappoint a few purists, but that decision also reflects where this segment has been heading for years.
Price could be where Nissan really lands a punch. The brand's Americas chief executive, Christian Meunier, has indicated a starting price below about €37,000 at current exchange rates. That would place the Xterra right in the thick of the fight with the Ford Bronco, which starts at roughly €37,500, and the Jeep Wrangler four door, which opens at around €36,100, while also coming in below the Toyota 4Runner at about €38,700.
That is why this comeback matters. Nissan is not simply reviving an old name to stir up memories. It is stepping into one of the most image driven and fiercely contested parts of the SUV market with something that appears to have the stance, hardware, and pricing to be taken seriously. If the production model stays close to these teasers, the new Xterra may end up being more than a nostalgic return. It could be the outsider that makes the established players look over their shoulders.
Source: carscoops
Comments
mechbyte
Wow this looks chunky and legit! If they keep the external spare, tow hooks and skid plate im kinda sold. Price is the kicker tho...
v8rider
Looks promising, but is it really body on frame? Teasers hype it up, price sounds sweet. Manual gone though, big bummer. wait for real specs..
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