The Nissan Xterra Is Coming Back for 2028 With a V6

We already know the Nissan Xterra is coming back soon. The all-new generation will be a rugged, five-seat addition to the growing off-road SUV segment. It will be built at Nissan’s Mississippi facility.

The new Xterra will be powered by a V6, with a hybrid version coming later. A hybrid will be a welcome addition indeed. While it hasn’t been confirmed, the base model will probably use Nissan’s current 3.5 Litet V6 found in the Frontier pickup. And, surprisingly, it is quite a rough and noisy beast. Unlike past Nissan V6 engines that were known for their smoothness and refinement.

Early projections suggest the new Nissan Xterra could follow a formula similar to what Honda has done with the Passport and Pilot. The Passport is essentially a shorter, more adventure-focused version of the larger Pilot, sharing much of its architecture and interior. Nissan could take a similar approach by using the next-generation Pathfinder as the basis for a more rugged and off-road-oriented Xterra.

The timing makes a lot of sense. The current Pathfinder arrived for the 2022 model year, so a new generation could appear around 2028. That would give Nissan a natural opportunity to introduce a closely related Xterra at roughly the same time. Both vehicles could benefit from new technology, updated architecture, and improved efficiency.

One of the most interesting possibilities is a V6 hybrid powertrain arriving later. Such a setup could improve fuel economy while also providing plenty of low-end torque, which would be useful for an SUV designed for off-road driving. And again, some added smoothness. Around the same time, Honda is also expected to offer V6 hybrid versions of the Passport and Pilot.

There has been ongoing news about technical collaboration between Nissan and Honda, particularly when it comes to powertrain development. While there is no confirmed agreement to share a V6 hybrid system, the possibility of both companies eventually using a 3.0-liter V6 hybrid isn’t completely out of the question. If that happens, it could help reduce development costs while giving both automakers a relatively sophisticated powertrain for their larger SUVs.

Design will obviously be a huge part of the Xterra’s comeback. Expect a boxier and much more rugged shape inspired by the original model, combined with modern lighting signatures and the usual aerodynamic improvements. Inside, it would likely share many elements with the Pathfinder, including infotainment, driver-assistance technology, and the basic dashboard layout. Nissan could give the Xterra its own trims, materials, and details to make it feel considerably more adventurous.

And Nissan apparently isn’t planning to make the new Xterra subtle.

A Nissan U.S. executive recently described seeing the vehicle in its first full-size foam mock-up in Japan, saying it “literally takes your breath away” and has a lot of “very tough, in-your-face design cues.” So I guess we can expect a pretty macho-looking SUV. While the illustrations above will not take anyone’s “breath away”, they are based on Nissan’s own teaser for the new Xterra.

Another big question is how far Nissan will push the Xterra’s actual off-road capability. The original Xterra was known for its body-on-frame toughness, while a Pathfinder-based successor would likely use a unibody architecture. That would make it more comfortable and efficient as a daily driver, although potentially less extreme on difficult trails.

With the right suspension tuning, all-wheel-drive system, tires, and drive modes, Nissan could still find a good balance between everyday usability and genuine off-road capability. Something that, in my opinion, Honda has not achieved with the current Passport. Which unfortunately rides and drives like a 1970s station wagon with a floaty suspension and an overboosted steering that can’t really keep things straight in regular driving. I realise all these attributes might be a bonus for an off-road excursion, but it makes for a terrible daily city driving experience.

If Nissan executes the idea well, the Xterra could return as an interesting alternative to today’s increasingly electrified adventure SUVs. It would combine some of the original’s rugged image with modern technology and everyday practicality.

Of course, a “regular” hybrid is starting to look like pretty old technology compared with plug-in hybrids and range-extender EVs. But that doesn’t seem to be scaring Honda, and apparently Nissan isn’t too worried either.

That could make the revived Xterra part of a pretty interesting new generation of rugged SUVs that aren’t quite ready to give up the gas engine yet.