Quick Highlights:
- Nissan confirms the Xterra SUV will return in 2028 as a hybrid V6 off-roader.
- Production set for Canton, Mississippi, alongside the Frontier pickup.
- Plans for the U.S.-built EV SUV have been paused due to softening demand.
- Dealers call the Xterra revival a key “comeback moment” for Nissan in North America.
- An upscale Infiniti variant is also under consideration.
- Expected pricing is likely above the Frontier but below the Armada, making it a mid-size, competitively priced off-road SUV.
After years of speculation and dealer whispers, the Nissan Xterra is officially on the comeback trail. Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier confirmed to Bloomberg that the rugged SUV will return in 2028, bringing back one of the brand’s most recognizable off-road nameplates. The revival, however, comes with a twist: the Xterra will be offered as a hybrid SUV instead of joining the all-electric push, as Nissan is putting its U.S. EV SUV plans on ice.
The move matches earlier reporting from Automotive News, which cited dealer meetings where executives hinted at the Xterra’s return. Now, the announcement sets a clear direction for Nissan’s U.S. strategy: lean into profitable, body-on-frame vehicles while pumping the brakes on an uncertain EV market.
Built in Mississippi, Riding on the Frontier’s Backbone
The reborn Xterra won’t be some crossover in disguise. Nissan plans to build it in Canton, Mississippi, the same factory that cranks out the Frontier pickup. That’s an important clue. By sharing the Frontier’s body-on-frame platform, the Xterra should stay loyal to its original formula: a tough, trail-capable SUV rather than a soft suburban runabout.
Dealers who have seen early plans say the enthusiasm is real. In fact, Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier told Bloomberg that retailers are “super excited” about the project, calling it a major sign of Nissan’s return to form. The optimism isn’t misplaced—look no further than the surging popularity of the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Bronco, both of which prove there’s still plenty of appetite for mid-size, truck-based SUVs.
The Xterra will also share some components and hybrid tech with the Pathfinder and potentially the Infiniti QX60. It is expected to offer off-road features like skid plates, hill descent control, selectable 4WD modes, and Trail Mode to appeal to traditional enthusiasts. With the Xterra slotting into that mix, Nissan clearly wants back in on the action.
Hybrid Powertrain, EV Plans Frozen
Don’t expect an all-electric Xterra. At least not yet. Instead, insiders say the SUV will run a V6 hybrid setup, giving it the muscle of a traditional engine with a dose of electrification for efficiency. The hybrid is likely tuned for torque and fuel efficiency, rather than outright speed, making it suitable for off-road use and long-distance travel. It’s a middle ground—part nod to the future, part reassurance for buyers who still want a familiar powertrain.
That direction lines up with Nissan’s U.S. playbook right now: double down on gas and hybrids, slow-walk the EVs. Only a few months ago, the Canton plant was supposed to build a brand-new electric SUV by 2028. Nissan even had a local battery supply plan mapped out. But with EV demand cooling off and federal tax breaks drying up, the company quietly shelved the idea.
So instead of chasing uncertain EV volume, Nissan is going with something safer: a hybrid SUV with a proven platform and a recognizable name. The bet is simple—give buyers what they’re asking for, not what the market says they should want.
Nissan has a critical test in its North American strategy.
It is not merely a matter of filling a niche in the Nissan line with the Xterra—the vehicle is returning at a time when the company is struggling through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Plants are being shut down, jobs are being eliminated, and the brand is still struggling to recover after years of wobbly returns. Meanwhile, Nissan has promised dealers and customers a torrent of 20 new or updated models by 2027, with the Xterra scheduled to follow the next year.
This makes the SUV more than a nostalgic re-do. It’s a statement of intent. Sitting under the big Armada, yet built with genuine off-road capability, the Xterra is meant to provide Nissan with something it has been lacking in the mid-size SUV segment: a vehicle capable of going toe-to-toe with the Ford Bronco and Toyota 4Runner. It is the type of product that can remind shoppers why they bought into the brand in the first place.
It’s also worth noting that the Xterra was discontinued nearly a decade ago due to stricter emissions standards and the industry shift away from boxy, truck-based SUVs, making this revival a meaningful return for fans of the original model. The optional Infiniti variant may offer premium interiors and tech upgrades for buyers seeking luxury with off-road capability.
Will it help drive a Nissan revival? That’s a harder call. However, for off-road enthusiasts who have been patiently waiting nearly ten years, 2028 suddenly feels a lot closer.
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