2029 nissan xterra everything we knowThe Nissan Xterra is expected to return for the 2029 model year, with a launch window sometime in late 2028. It won't be a nostalgic trim package or a sad and soft crossover wearing an old name. Everything points to a clean-sheet vehicle, developed as part of Nissan's push to rebuild its lineup after a few uneven years. This is a product that needs to land.The market has swung back toward more honest, off-road-focused machines. Now Nissan is preparing to bring the name back, and while details are still coming together, the outline is starting to take shape. What we know so far is that the Xterra will be built in America, on a new-generation body-on-frame platform.The Xterra will lead a charge of five body-on-frame vehicles built in America, covering both Nissan and Infiniti brands. A rebadged Infiniti version to take on the Lexus GX seems like a sure thing, while Nissan says the platform's "potential expansion to pickups and multi-row SUVs" is on the table.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf the Xterra is going to mean anything again, it needs to deliver where it counts: ground clearance, proper four-wheel drive hardware, and the kind of durability that made the original a favorite among people who actually used it.Image: NissanWhat Is The Nissan Xterra?The Nissan Xterra is a midsize SUV that Nissan originally built for buyers who wanted something simple, durable, and genuinely capable off-road.It debuted for the 2000 model year and quickly carved out a niche as a rugged, body-on-frame SUV. Unlike car-based crossovers, the Xterra shared much of its underlying structure with Nissan's pickup trucks, which gave it real trail ability. Features like a two-speed transfer case, available four-wheel drive, and off-road-focused trims (like the later Pro-4X) made it popular with outdoor enthusiasts.Design-wise, it leaned into that identity. Early models had a distinctive stepped roofline with an integrated roof rack, easy-to-clean interiors, and practical touches like washable cargo floors.AdvertisementAdvertisementNissan produced two generations of the Xterra. The first ran from 2000 to 2004 and was relatively basic. The second generation ran from 2005 to 2015 and grew in size, added more power (including a 4.0-liter V6), and improved on-road manners while keeping its off-road focus.Production ended after 2015, largely due to declining body-on-frame SUV sales at the time and tightening fuel economy regulations.2029 nissan xterra everything we knowWhat Platform Will The 2029 Nissan Xterra Use?Where the last Xterra left off is also where this one appears to be picking up.Expect a body-on-frame platform, not a unibody compromise. That likely means shared architecture with Nissan's next-generation Frontier. It's the same playbook everyone else is following, including Ford with the Bronco and Ranger, and Jeep with the Wrangler and Gladiator. The Xterra will be built at Nissan's facility in Canton, Mississippi.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's thought Nissan could also extend the platform to create a new body-on-frame Pathfinder, but that plan is less clear than this one. There are also a few clues that Mitsubishi, tied closely to Nissan through the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, could build its own version, possibly bringing back the Montero name.2029 nissan xterra everything we knowWhich Engine Will The 2029 Nissan Xterra Use?The Xterra is expected to exclusively feature a V6 engine, skipping the four-cylinder options found in its competition, like the 4Runner, Bronco, and Wrangler. Nissan already confirmed a standard gas V6 will be available, which will be joined by an optional hybrid V6 setup, though it isn't currently clear what sort of hybrid it could be.Some version of Nissan's e-Power system would make sense, which essentially uses an internal combustion engine as a generator to power larger and more powerful electric motors than is typical in hybrid models. If Nissan goes the e-Power route, that could prove an interesting challenge for the Scout Traveller.It wouldn't be surprising to see something related to the Pathfinder's 3.5L V6 engine find its way under the Xterra's hood.2029 nissan xterra everything we knowHow Much Will The 2029 Nissan Xterra Cost?Early estimates suggest a starting price just under $40,000, which would put the Xterra directly in the conversation with the Ford Bronco and Toyota 4Runner, but potentially undercut both. That's where Nissan could carve out space-offering something that is purpose-built without pushing into the price territory those vehicles now occupy.AdvertisementAdvertisementTrim details haven't been finalized, but it would be surprising if Nissan didn't lean on its existing Pro-4X branding for a more serious off-road variant.When Will The 2029 Nissan Xterra Go On Sale?That's less obvious. We know the Nissan Xterra will return for the 2029 model year, and we expect it to launch in late 2028.We'll be updating this post as more details become available.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
