Jump LinksNew Infiniti Models Also In The WorksNissan Isn't Hedging Its Bets On Electric PowerWhen a car company calls an upcoming product a "heartbeat model for the US," there's a lot of pressure to get it right. The Nissan Xterra last graced US roads in 2015, but the Japanese marque has now committed to bringing it back amidst a trend of nostalgic off-road vehicles being revived for the modern age, like the Ford Bronco or Toyota Land Cruiser.You don't need us to tell you how important the next few years are for Nissan. After failed merger discussions with Honda, aging products and steadily falling profits, a slew of new products are planned to turn the future around, and fans of adventure body-on frame vehicles will be excited to see the new Xterra. Here's all we know so far about what's coming in 2028.We have used a variety of reputable sources to provide the latest information we know about the next Nissan Xterra, as well as information directly from the company, and quotes from company officials given to CarBuzz during a recent Japanese media event. We have also predicted details based on previous models and current trends. Some details may differ from the final production vehicle. Why It's So Important For Nissan Right Now Nissan / Christian Meunier (LinkedIn)The first Nissan Xterra debuted in 2000 as a no-nonsense body-on-frame adventure vehicle built on pickup truck foundations. It quickly gained a cult following for its reliability and capability, and that only continued with the release of the second-generation in 2005. Since its discontinuation in 2015, though, Nissan hasn't quite been on the path upwards. And that's why going back to a legendary nameplate is so important.“We've lost our way a little bit, putting in a lot of technology for the sake of it, adding a lot of features and costs to our cars," Christian Meunier, Chairman of Nissan Americas, says. "We're going to stop doing it. And Xterra is going to be the symbol of this." It fills a blank space in Nissan's lineup too, as key rivals from Toyota and Ford all utilize a body-on-frame design to increase off-roading ability.Nissan It's the perfect time to release a vehicle like this, as those same rivals are using nostalgia as a selling point. The Jeep Wrangler used to be the only true retro body-on-frame vehicle on sale, but Ford released the new Bronco back in 2021, and it has managed a stream of high sales. In just 2025, it sold 146,000 units. Even the Toyota Land Cruiser, which comes in at a slightly higher price, was sold 43,946 times in the same year. Nissan would be foolish to not chase after such a successful strategy.The decision comes right from the top, too. "We can appeal to the two sides of a customer base," says Ivan Espinosa, Nissan's CEO. "On one end, the older generation knows the previous generation Xterra, but at the same time, by having the right technology in the car, you can appeal to a younger customer as well." New Infiniti Models Also In The Works Infiniti"So at this point, all we can say is, if Xterra has a clear position already in the marketplace of a rugged everything-you-need-nothing-you-don't-type SUV for Nissan, the Infiniti version will have to be separated from it, much like QX80 is separated from Armada. Think of that level of differentiation between the two."- Ponz Pandikuthira, Chief Product Officer, Nissan AmericasToyota proved that the luxury body-on-frame off-roader can be a success with the Lexus GX, and Nissan has clearly noticed. The company says there's a plan for both two- and three-row Infiniti SUVs based on the latest Nissan platforms, and they'll clearly be designed with off-roading in mind. Both Infiniti vehicles are planned to also be bigger than the Nissan models they're based on, and may be sold alongside the current QX 60 and QX 65. 2028 Nissan Xterra Engine Options Confirmed NissanThe 2028 Nissan Xterra has a clear place in the market, and every part of the powertrain and construction will have that target in mind. First, the body-on-frame construction increases rigidity and can help maximize towing and payload capacity, all features that are useful when you're adventuring. There will presumably be independent suspension and a live rear axle for maximum simplicity and articulation, and possible two-wheel-drive versions to lower the base price. 35-inch tires are confirmed, with room for 37s or even larger without major mechanical changes necessary.An interesting admission by Ponz Pandikuthira, Chief Product Officer at Nissan Americas, is that the car will heavily lean into customization. He called it a 'campus' that's only a starting point for customers. "We will make it adaptable very easily, so the aftermarket can do things like lift kits, bigger wheels, tires, and fender flares, for example," he says. "We will work very proactively, so the car can be customized for stuff that we can't typically do out of the factory.”Under the hood, Nissan has clearly gone for reliability and adaptability above anything else. It's confirmed that a V6 will be present, both in pure ICE and hybrid forms. That hybrid is unlikely to be Nissan's new e-Power technology, which uses the engine simply as a generator, and will instead be a more conventional hybrid system paired with the V6 engine for maximum off-roading power. Nissan Isn't Hedging Its Bets On Electric Power NissanWith Nissan's current position, it has to tread very carefully with any new technology. The Nissan Leaf may have been the first mass-produced electric car, but they're less optimistic due to politics and inconsistent global administrations. "It's not that we are not preparing EVs, we're just not showing you what we're preparing," CEO Ivan Espinosa says. "We're looking at it because the policies might swing again. I think the industry learned the hard way not to bet on anything, but you need to keep a bit of a balance with your bets, and this is what we are doing."With the new Nissan Xterra, they're focusing on what they know will sell well, similar to Toyota. Nissan knows not everyone, especially off-road enthusiasts, are ready to go electric, so releasing an SUV with a V6 and a hybrid option means they already have a strong customer base, even if it's not for Nissan itself. The latest Leaf is one of our favorite EVs on the market, but it's a smart move for Nissan to release proven technologies. What Nissan Needs To Get Right NissanThere's a lot riding on the next few years at Nissan, so every product has to be well-thought-out. With the Xterra, which is a proven adventure vehicle already, they'll probably make claims about its trail-ready ability and encourage owners to go test it out, so living up to the older generation's ideas of what an Xterra can do is important. It does, however, have to nudge the name along slightly to appeal to a mass market with new hybrid tech.Design is also a big thing for legacy buyers. That's one of the big reasons rivals have been so successful, and why Jeep has stuck with the same language for years. It's already a familiar name, so the look also has to be familiar. There's a possibility it may look like the new Frontier PHEV that Nissan have just released for the Chinese market, as it has a similar light design across the front. There are sure to be pretty extreme designs if Nissan's claim of working with the aftermarket industry is upheld. 2028 Nissan Xterra Pricing - Nissan's Got A Firm Target In Mind "We're at a time when the average transaction price in the US is $48,000 and it's not sustainable. It's not going to last. We're going to find a way to keep products, even exciting products, affordable. It's really where the brand should go."- Christian Meunier, Nissan Americas ChairmanThere is, of course, the pricing aspect. Nissan has to get this element right. It says that this is a car with "everything you need and nothing you don't", and with a targeted starting price of under $40k, it will fit right in line with the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. You can expect the car to have a huge array of optional accessories and extras in the configurator to make it your own, and with a hybrid powertrain, it could have lower running costs compared to rivals. 2028 Nissan Xterra Versus Competitors - A Competitive Segment Is About To Get Tougher There are lots of manufacturers cashing in on nostalgia and off-road readiness in 2026 starting at different price points. The closest two rivals for the new Nissan Xterra are the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, both of which have around 300 horsepower, standard 4WD and are available from under $40k. Interestingly, the standard transmission on both is a manual, so it will be interesting to see if Nissan continues this trend and answers enthusiasts with this feature.2026-ford-bronco-badlands-wildtrak-4Competing with the Nissan hybrid SUV, however, are some more premium options. There's the Toyota Land Cruiser, which has a hybrid engine with 465 lb-ft of torque, but starts from just under $60k. Those wanting to adventure in their SUVs have more options than ever with electric cars too, and while the Xterra isn't rumored to feature a pure electric powertrain, those competitors are still valid options. The Scout Traveler will be coming out at the same time as the Xterra and with just under 1,000 lb-ft of instantaneous torque, it's a real rival on the trail.There's no official Nissan Xterra release date just yet, but the Japanese automaker is targeting a 2028 launch with America being the primary market. By that point, it's imperative that Nissan matches or even outperforms these rivals as they'll also be getting updates. It's an important time for the company, and even though the future may seem bright, there's still a way to go before it's a success.Sources: Nissan, Ford, Toyota, Jeep
