Nissan Is Really Serious About Reviving Its Badass Off-Roader and Keeping It Nostalgic and Affordable

The Yokohama-based automaker is backing its Xterra revival with big promises.

Close-up of a black and silver Nissan vehicle front grille and headlight with trees in the background.

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Published November 24, 2025

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Updated December 8, 2025

We know Nissan’s hard at work developing a new Xterra revival and some big news just surfaced regarding its project parameters. Speaking exclusively with The Drive at the Los Angeles Auto Show recently, the automaker’s senior vice president, Michael Soutter, shared some reassuring updates.

During the outlet’s exclusive interview, Soutter provided some confidence-inspiring words, indicating that Nissan is not only serious about the truck. But more so, they’re focused on making it affordable and attainable, all without sacrificing the model’s reputation for off-road capabilities.

Most importantly however, the option for a yellow exterior is hue is an absolute requirement.

Keeping it simple and affordable

Black Nissan Xterra Pro-4X SUV with roof rack carrying gear driving on rocky desert terrain. — Nissan confirmed is reviving the Xterra to appease four-wheeling enthusiasts.

New cars today can be a bit of a sensory overload, mainly from the excessive amount of standard fancy tech that owners hardly use. But in a refreshing update, Soutter emphasized Nissan’s plans to keep the Xterra simple, rugged and affordable.

During the interview, he even suggested that the price point has “got to start sub $40,000.” Which, during these times of rampant inflation, sounds very promising.

Dark gray Nissan SUV with roof lights parked on a paved road near greenery. — It’s been over a decade since Nissan last gave us an Xterra.

“We got everything the customer needs in there — and nothing they don’t,” Soutter told The Drive. “So it’s not gonna be super high-tech and high-cost because that’s not what [Xterra] customers [are] looking for.”

Soutter further elaborated by confirming the automaker’s intent to keep the Xterra simple, if not old school, acknowledging the model’s intended customer. In a sense, the Xterra could represent a slightly countercultural movement against today’s very tech-forward automotive industry.

Interior view of a Nissan vehicle dashboard with black steering wheel, touchscreen display, and automatic gear shift. — Unlike most new cars today, Nissan plans to keep the new Xterra simple and rugged.

But how specifically does the Yokohama-based automaker further plan to keep the new Xterra’s price point low? By keeping it old school.

Nissan’s building an answer to the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco

The main component to keeping the Xterra affordable could be Nissan’s bold plan to retain the original model’s body-on-frame construction. Not only is the classic chassis design more rugged and cost-demanding, it’s also more versatile.

Gray Nissan SUV parked on grass near a curved road with trees in the background. The vehicle has a roof rack with two mounted lights and black side mirrors. — The new Xterra will be Nissan’s direct answer to the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

Back when the Xterra was still in production, it utilized the same ladder frame as the Frontier. In essence, the Xterra was just a Frontier, but with a full wagon-like five-door body of an SUV.

For the new Xterra, that specific formula could remain. It would be almost identical to what Toyota does with the Tacoma and the 4Runner.

Dark gray Nissan Xterra Pro-4X SUV parked on gravel with green grass background. — Nissan is engineering the new Xterra to be versatile and receptive to modifications for the off-road enthusiast.

Soutter also shared that the new Xterra will also sport the sort of off-road tech needed to satisfy those buyers. Such includes a two-speed transfer case and a low-range gearbox.

The company’s engineers are also engineering the Xterra to be modification-ready, specifically for those in the four-wheeling space.

Dark gray Nissan Xterra SUV parked on a gravel surface with a grassy background and a cloudy sky. The vehicle features roof-mounted lights and rugged tires with white lettering.

“The capability, fun, adventure—hearkening back to the initial Xterra, it’s got to be able to take on these things,” Soutter continued in his interview. “Maybe you’ll never go off-road with it, but you have to have the feeling that you could do anything with this vehicle. And that includes rock crawling and everything else.”

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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