Nissan has confirmed that it's reviving the Xterra nameplate as a new iteration of the rugged, body-on-frame SUV. The previous iterations were fascinating alternatives to its primary competitor, the contemporary Toyota 4Runner. Plus, the first-generation Xterra was available with a supercharged V6 engine, only adding to the model's quirkiness.NissanThere were earlier rumors that Infiniti would get a more upscale version of the new Xterra. Now, there's official confirmation of the premium off-roader from the Chief Product and Planning Officer at Nissan Americas, Ponz Pandikuthira, speaking to CarBuzz during a roundtable media interview."So at this point, all we can say is, if Xterra, which 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 Infiniti's Body-On-Frame Future NissanPandikuthira kept his discussion vague about the Infiniti version of the new Xterra. He also suggested the possibility of versions with two- and three-row seating. "You would picture these vehicles in a showroom, standing above or sitting above the two vehicles that we have today in the lineup," he said.Meanwhile, a three-row SUV with a unibody chassis would also be available, at least for a while. The company is going to gauge how customers react."The market will tell us. So we can still build them. And we know that for Pathfinder, the one that we have right now, the inner body. That's definitely going to be the case, but we don't sell nearly as many QX60s. So the market will tell us that the two vehicles can coexist, or if the frame is really where the demand is, because it's a luxury vehicle."- Ponz PandikuthiraThe models would serve different purposes, with the unibody having a focus on comfort and luxury. Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier described it during the roundtable as a more "family-oriented" vehicle. Meanwhile, the other one would be "a more rugged, premium, aspirational adventure product, different, maybe not as functional, but definitely more rugged adventures." According to him, this strategy gives the company flexibility by combining monocoque and body-on-frame output. Plans For The Future NissanNissan plans to launch the new Xterra in early 2028 to compete against the latest Bronco and 4Runner. There's no info yet about the Infiniti version. From looking at other brands with mainstream and high-end versions of the model, we'd expect several months to roughly a year between the arrivals of these vehicles. Right now, it's not clear whether the two- and three-row variants of the Infiniti would launch at the same time or whether they'd have staggered introductions.In essence, Nissan/Infiniti is following Toyota/Lexus's strategy with the latest Land Cruiser and GX. The models have a lot in common mechanically, but there's more luxury tech and better materials in the luxury model.Nissan is bringing the Xterra back, in part, because of new US emissions standards. "The moment the compliance rules were adjusted, well, we saw the opportunity was there, and we just jumped on it," said Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa. Given the timing, we should have more details soon.