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Will Nissan Xterra Be Revived on All-New 2019 Frontier Platform

The all-new Nissan Frontier pickup could spawn the return of the axed rugged Xterra off-road vehicle.
2019 Nissan Xterra, Xterra PRO-4X, 2018 Nissan Xterra

When Nissan axed the Xterra, it was one of the worst decisions the Japanese auto maker could have made. It took them out of the popular rugged off-road SUV segment with competitors like the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, upcoming 2020 Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner. But Nissan may have gotten the message as other automakers see the huge potential in the millennial market with active lifestyles.

According to a report from WardsAuto, Michael Bunce, senior vice president-product planning for Nissan North America told them in an interview, “It’s a great asset in terms of a name and a badge. It’s on the shelf right now, but it’s something we could utilize in the future.”

If Nissan does bring back Xterra, it will likely ride on the new 2019 Frontier mid-size pickup platform. It could then be built right along side the new-generation Frontier being manufactured at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant. The all-new Frontier is expected to arrive later this year as a 2019 model.

Bring back Xterra PRO-4X

When Nissan discontinued the Xterra, the popular rugged PRO-4X also bit the dust. Frontier PRO-4X was the ultimate Nissan off-roader offering extreme performance off the beaten path. It came with an electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein Off-road Performance shocks. Xterra PRO-4X right from the showroom floor, could handle just about anything you could throw at it. Nissan needs to bring it back.

Ditch the Pathfinder

Nissan needs to axe the Pathfinder that couldn’t find an off-road path if it had to. The Pathfinder is nothing like the nameplate started as, and has turned into a car-based mild family 3-Row hauler. Only the large Armada has less sales than Pathfinder in their truck division. Pathfinder was even called out in the Consumer Reports’ 7 Cars Owners Regret Buying survey. Only 49 percent of owners, said they were satisfied with their purchase. Although, Nissan won’t likely abandon the Pathfinder as it had 75,012 in sales through November, 2017.

If Nissan wants to compete with the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, upcoming 2020 Ford Bronco, and popular Toyota 4Runner, they need to resurrect the Xterra and Xterra PRO-4X sooner rather than later. According to a report in Motor Trend, a body-on-frame SUV from the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance, will be unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April. Will it be the new Nissan Xterra? Stay tuned.

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Photo credit: Nissan USA

Automotive News
Pickup Trucks
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Comments

Zach mandt (not verified)    August 27, 2019 - 1:09AM

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I have a 2013 pro 4x xterra and I can say that it’s been an amazing platform to wheel in. I’m not a casual driver. I’ve modified my xterra heavily and that being the case if they do bring it back, take notes on what the Nissan off road community has been doing. Offer a beefed up package with actual suspension lift, ability to clear 35” tires. A Titan m205 diff with Titan compatible axles /spindles, uca and lcas. Offer a front locker in the package if people want it. Some people are even putting solod axle swaps in the front. There’s a market for it out there, Nissan is just leaving the money on the table. I’ll run it until it dies, but if Nissan doesn’t bring the xterra back in a legitimate way, or at least bring the Navarra to the US and design it to be compatible with some solid upgrade choices, they’ll see people like myself switching platforms. Maybe they’ll have better luck selling more jukes?

Dustin (not verified)    November 23, 2019 - 12:47PM

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Nissan please bring the Xterra back! It’s very simple. They have made some very strange business decisions in the last few years. No they will never sell like the Rogue or one of their other car based SUVs/CUVs but they are losing that market segment. Guys like myself who’ve been a happy Xterra owner since 2010 are never going to trade it in for a Rogue/Murano/Pathfinder. And the Armada is too big, expensive and thirsty. Forcing me into a competitor brand if they can’t offer a quality midsize truck SUV as they have now lost that segment.

John Jackson (not verified)    November 25, 2019 - 11:30AM

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My Nissan dealer, and Nissan itself, keep badgering me to trade them my 2015 Xterra Off Road. The company just doesn't get it. I keep telling them - unless Nissan comes back again with a new Xterra, that's at least as capable as the one I have now, I have LESS THAN ZERO interest in another Nissan vehicle. I didn't buy the Xterra mindlessly. I have specific features and capabilities I want, and the Xterra provided pretty well for those. None of the junk they're still trying to hawk provides for those. If I had to replace my Xterra today, the only vehicle I know of right now I'd be interested in for that would be a Toyota 4Runner. When it comes to my next vehicle purchase, that choice is Nissan's to take or ignore. So far, they've chosen to ignore...

Connie (not verified)    February 8, 2020 - 10:34AM

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I love my 2004 and my 2002 Exterra and I am now on the hunt for a 2016. My 2004 just tripped 230,000 miles and it is running strong. I almost refuse to look at another suv because they are not like the Exterra. I love my boxy body and the height when sitting in it makes me feel safe. It’s amazing in snow and all weather. I need Nissan to bring the Exterra back to life but keep the boxy body style and give us the bells and whistles that keep us wanting more.

Jackie (not verified)    August 16, 2020 - 5:59PM

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Oh I owned a 2013 Nissan Xterra and I loved it. I loved that it was on a truck platform and that I could set up high and see everything. I loved the look of it. Please bring it back. These SUVs and crossovers are not making it everyone likes to sit up high.