Next-gen Nissan Xterra Hybrid rendered based on official teaser

More than a decade after the Xterra departed from U.S. dealers, Nissan is preparing to bring its rugged SUV back with greater ambitions. The third-generation model will return to its truck-based roots while adding electrification.

Confirmation

Xterra comes back to the U.S. as a heartbeat model shaped by customer demand and grounded in authentic adventure.

Ivan Espinosa, president and chief executive officer of Nissan, at the long‑term vision announcement on April 14, 2026

In April 2026, Nissan confirmed the return of the Xterra to the U.S. as a “Heartbeat” model with “an adventurous spirit, body-on-frame strength, and purpose-driven design.” The company also confirmed that it will lead a new family of five body-on-frame vehicles offering V6 and V6-hybrid powertrains.

Design

Nissan’s April 2026 teaser revealed only the front of the next-gen Xterra, but that was enough to convey its intended character. The SUV has a tall, upright face, three amber marker-style lights near the top of the grille, vertical lighting elements at the corners, and a broad hood that gives it a much tougher appearance than a Rogue or a Pathfinder.

Our exclusive render, created using the official teaser as its main reference, imagines the rest of the tough SUV with squared-off fenders, chunky black body cladding, large all-terrain tires, prominent roof rails, and an upright greenhouse. There appears to be nothing subtle about the design.

In April 2026, Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier posted a silhouette of the future Xterra on LinkedIn, confirming the exposed spare wheel. As shown in our illustration, the roofline appears flat, with a large spoiler at the rear.

Interior

Nissan has not shown the Xterra’s interior yet, but it doesn’t take a whole lot to imagine a practical two-row cabin with five seats, durable trim materials, ample storage solutions, and physical controls designed to remain easy to use on trails.

Nissan should employ a large central touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, with Android-based Google built-in. We prefer that Nissan designers retain physical switches for frequently used HVAC, drive-mode, and four-wheel-drive functions.

Higher trims like the Platinum and Rock Creek could add upgraded upholstery, a premium audio system, surround-view cameras, and dedicated off-road information displays. It also looks like Infiniti will receive its version of the Xterra in due course for buyers who want more luxury.

Specifications

We will further reinforce leadership in capability-driven SUVs with V6 Hybrid-powered body-on-frame models, including the return of the Xterra as part of the new U.S.-produced frame family.

Guillaume Cartier, Nissan’s chief performance officer, discussing U.S. market strategy at the long‑term vision announcement on April 14, 2026

Nissan has confirmed V6 and V6 Hybrid powertrains for the new Xterra. The ladder-frame SUV will likely begin life as a gas model, and then receive the electrified variant in a subsequent model year. We’d expect four-wheel drive to be central to the lineup.

There are no details available yet, but based on where the segment’s hybrids stand, the Toyota 4Runner i-Force Max’s 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque with a 6,000-lb. maximum tow rating, and the former Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s 375 hp and 470 lb-ft with a 3,500-lb. maximum tow rating, a realistic estimate for the Xterra Hybrid would be 350-400 hp, around 450 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capacity of 6,000-6,500 lbs.

Price & Release Date

Michael Soutter, former senior vice president, U.S. Marketing and Sales, Nissan and Infiniti, told The Drive that the new Xterra should begin at under USD 40,000. We’d expect the hybrid version that follows to be in the mid-to-high USD 40,000s, and extending into the USD 50,000s for the fully kitted-out variants.

The next-gen Xterra will reach U.S. dealers in late 2028 as a gas SUV, and we should see the hybrid rolling in soon after. The vehicle is expected to be manufactured in Canton, Mississippi, and is likely to also play an important role for Nissan in the Canadian market.