Nissan and its new CEO told dealers this week about its plans to turn the brand around. Sales have been poor of late, and the brand’s lineup is generally too old and not competitive enough for the latest from Hyundai, Toyota, and more. Part of that plan, per Automotive News, is a new Xterra, an idea Nissan seems to have been floating since the 4Runner competitor ended production in 2015.
The New Xterra Could Be A Hybrid
Nissan Middle East
Nissan broke the news to dealers at the company’s annual dealer meeting in Vegas this week, saying the launch for the new Xterra would take place in 2028. The platform will reportedly be a new body-on-frame one, and allegedly powered by a hybrid V6 engine. There’s even talk of a range-extended plug-in model with up to 75 miles of electric-only range.
Should the latter come to pass, it’d make the new Xterra one of the longest-range PHEVs in the SUV segment, especially among off-road competitors. The current Wrangler 4xe offers just 26 or so miles of all-electric range.
Nissan Has To Compete Again
Rumors surrounding the Xterra’s return aren’t a new thing. The company has said in the past that if it does a new one, the SUV has to be “authentic” to the original – a rugged, body-on-frame off-roader that frankly, often played second-fiddle to the 4Runner despite being largely just as capable and reliable both on and off-road.
More critically, the Xterra has to pull buyers away from the newly hybrid-only 4Runner. They say that time in the market is better than timing the market, and Toyota has had a decade to further prop up the 4Runner while Nissan was away. To put it lightly, the new Xterra has its work cut out for it, but from the sounds of things, Nissan has the right idea. Now all it has to do is make sure it stays healthy until 2028.
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