I witnessed it firsthand, and it appears impressive. However, should Nissan opt to use the Xterra name for a crossover?
- Starting in late 2027 or early 2028, Nissan plans to manufacture an adventure-oriented electric SUV at its facility in Canton, Missouri.
- I witnessed it firsthand, and it appears precisely like what contemporary purchasers desire in an SUV.
- It has an Xterra-inspired design, yet it will be more polished and less rugged compared to that frame-based truck. Therefore, what might Nissan name it?
Nissan’s upcoming electric SUV is set to be the new version of the Leaf, scheduled for release within the coming year. However, what might excite you even more is their forthcoming electric crossover. Nissan has officially announced they are developing an adventurous, off-road vehicle inspired by the Xterra. I had the chance to see it firsthand, and it appears impressive.
Nissan did not permit photography during their “Full Speed Ahead” event in Atsugi, Japan; however, they allowed several journalists to view their entire range of forthcoming models. Among these were the new Sentra, the impending Leaf, an improved version of the Navara/Frontier, the redesigned Rogue, as well as electric versions of the Juke and Micra, among others—though some details remain undisclosed for now. However, what stood out most was a midsize crossover-style electric vehicle reminiscent of both the Subaru Outback and the iconic Xterra.
Nissan’s range of upcoming products, including the next Rogue and the third-generation Leaf.
The SUV will be manufactured in Canton, Missouri, at the same facility where the Altima and Frontier are currently produced. According to Nissan, this new model will hit the market during their fiscal year 2027, spanning from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028, as per Japanese financial calendar conventions.
In one of Nissan’s promotional images, you can see the silhouette of the SUV. Above, I’ve included a cropped version of that image. However, let me clarify: The better rendition was not shown there. Although each variant of this fully electric vehicle comes with a rooftop carrier, the more appealing model featured an Xterra-style built-in roof basket, rugged off-road tires, and robust design elements. This particular configuration also incorporated the asymmetrical back window seen on the Xterra. Overall, it resembled something akin to a crossover between a Hyundai Santa Fe and our subject here.
Subaru Outback Wilderness
And the Xterra was fantastic. I adored it.
The futuristic box-like design of Nissan’s electric SUV mirrored that of the newly unveiled Hyundai Santa Fe, shown here.
For now, don’t expect this to be a revisit of the classic Xterra design. The original model was a basic, body-on-frame off-road vehicle designed for those seeking durability and functionality. In contrast, this new version aligns more closely with modern, refined SUV aesthetics.
Ford Bronco Sport
Or Outback Wilderness, which is why—even with its boxy design—it’s still distinctly recognizable as an everyday crossover.
Nissan’s design chief, Alfonso Albaisa, stated, “We must be cautious about making promises based solely on appearances.”
InsideEVs
During a media roundtable discussion about the adventure SUV, they mentioned, “Isn’t the idea more suited for exploring places like Oregon rather than typical urban settings? That’s not exactly what we’re aiming for here. However, it’s clear that consumers are moving away from the design aesthetics commonly found in standard electric vehicles.”
This was essential to the concept. Everyone has grown weary of rounded electric vehicles, and with the U.S. market increasingly favoring tough-looking crossover and SUV models, there’s also demand for such styles within the electric vehicle sector. There’s immense enthusiasm for the
Rivian R3
backs up that idea. Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer for the Americas, mentioned this targets individuals who currently crave Rivians. This places it in competition with the R2 and R3 models; however, consumers have shown significant interest in more squared-off, rugged-looking SUVs.
Albaisa mentioned, “We believe that this type of language would be highly desirable, offering a somewhat more genuine SUV appearance, despite it not being a body-on-frame design.”
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However, this still leaves Nissan with a challenging question to address. Pandikuthira pointed out that this vehicle is more upscale and sophisticated compared to the Xterra. Both he and Albaisa emphasized that it’s not designed for off-roading extremes. Instead, its purpose is to navigate gravel paths and reach hiking trails. Given these similarities to the Xterra along with distinct positioning and electric drivetrain, can this truly be considered an Xterra replacement?
Nissan isn’t sure. Pandikuthira says the name is still up in the air. Xterra is under consideration, but the company is weighing whether that sends the right message. It did, however, up the trademark on the Xterra name in December,
per
Car and Driver.
What do you think? Should this be an Xterra, or is it time for Nissan to establish a new brand for its adventurous EV? Let us know in the comments.
Contact the author:
Mack.hogan@insideevs.com
.
