Nissan dealers saw the new Xterra early. They say it ‘looks radical’

Selling cars in today’s fiercely competitive market is not easy, but the work does bring benefits. Automakers typically get access to new products years before launch, giving them plenty of time to prepare for the arrival of fresh metal. That’s the case for Nissan dealers, who got an early look at the revival of a long-awaited nameplate: the Xterra.

This week in Las Vegas, Nissan showed off the new Xterra behind closed doors during a meeting of the North American Automotive Dealer Show (NADA). Automotive News quotes Scott Smith, president of Smith Automotive Group near Atlanta, as saying the long-awaited SUV will be worth the wait. The two-row off-roader is described as ‘radical-looking’, with design elements inspired by the original model but modernized for the late 2020s.

The resurrected Those who have seen it say Nissan is aiming for a rugged look, with a chunky grille and an overall emphasis on ruggedness.

The third-generation Xterra is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2028 and should cost less than $40,000, according to company Senior Vice President Michael Soutter. A reports that the muscular, go-anywhere vehicle won’t arrive alone, as a more luxurious Infiniti counterpart is also planned, presumably with a higher price tag.

Nissan has a busy schedule ahead as the new architecture is also expected to underpin the next Pathfinder, Frontier and QX60. All of these models are said to offer “electrified” powertrains, meaning hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid options. Meanwhile, the next-generation Rogue should break cover later this year and hit the market in 2027.

While the NADA meeting focused mainly on SUVs and trucks, one car was also mentioned by Nissan. Dealers have learned that the seven-year-old Altima is getting a stay of execution, but the midsize sedan will inevitably fail in late summer 2027. There is no talk of a successor, leaving the new Sentra as the only remaining car after the recent axing of the entry-level Versa.

Taking Motor1s: A new Xterra can’t come soon enough, as rugged SUVs remain all the rage in North America. Revitalizing a once-popular nameplate and leaning into off-road capabilities with a two-speed transfer case (including low range) should appeal to buyers looking for alternatives to the Toyota 4Runner.

However, the Infiniti version may face an unexpected competitor by the time it hits the market. BMW is reportedly planning its own rugged SUV to lure buyers away from the Mercedes G-Class and Land Rover Defender.