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

Work for Torque News, follow on Twitter, Youtube and Facebook.

The all-new Nissan Frontier pickup could spawn the return of the axed rugged Xterra off-road vehicle.

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.

We like to hear from our readers, so leave your comments below. If you liked this article share it with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: Nissan USA

Submitted by Natasha (not verified) on January 19, 2018 - 9:22AM

Permalink

I can only hope they bring it back. I have a 2008 Xterra and am looking for my next car. I was going to go with the Highlander but if Nissan brings the Xterra back as a 7 seater.....the rest is history. (Fingers crossed)

Submitted by David (not verified) on January 23, 2018 - 12:18PM

Permalink

I suspect we will see 7 speed auto, revised 4.0 engine, much nicer interior, Aluminum widely used. Also I would like to see it use the f alpha frame found in the Titan and the current Frontier as it is very stout and makes for a very stable platform.

Submitted by Abraham Ali (not verified) on February 15, 2018 - 4:45PM

Permalink

I have a 2001 Nissan Xterra with 98,000 miles, and look forward to hearing about the new Nissan Xterra.

Submitted by Bob (not verified) on March 12, 2018 - 10:18PM

Permalink

12 years and 175K miles on my 2005 Xterra SE. My ALLTIME favorite vehicle. If Nissan brings back the Xterra, I'll buy a new one. If not, I'll keep driving this one till it dies of old age. Then, I won't buy Nissan again, I'll jump ship to Subaru. NISSAN - YOUR MOVE.

Submitted by Jacqueline L Jones (not verified) on March 14, 2018 - 11:48PM

Permalink

I TOO just love my 2006 Xterra and was so saddened to hear this model was discontinued. I love the roomy, rugged and stylish design of this SUV. I cast my vote for its return!

Submitted by Brad Grippin (not verified) on March 27, 2018 - 4:38PM

Permalink

Please bring it back! My 2007 is approaching 175k miles and I can't find anything I like in comparison to the Xterra. I NEEED a new Xterra!

Submitted by Sue Stansel (not verified) on May 8, 2018 - 2:08PM

Permalink

Please bring back the Xterra! I have a 2012, live in the mountains of Tahoe and just love it! It's a tank in the deep snow and even my hub prefers it over his AWD GMC. Only think like it is the 4Runner. I'd rather stick with Nissan should anything happen to my Silver Bullet.

Submitted by Sheila (not verified) on June 12, 2018 - 9:00PM

Permalink

We have a 2012 Xterra with 147k miles, waiting for Nissan to bring it back! The best SUV we have ever owned in 40 years.

Submitted by JoeDirty (not verified) on June 22, 2018 - 12:06AM

Permalink

My '09 Xterra has 160k miles hard miles with no major problems. The truck is used as a work vehicle and the 4wd is used every week. I'm diligent with maintenance and so far I've only had to replace a front hub. The Xterra is better off road than my Tacoma was. I'd definitely buy another.

Submitted by Jenn (not verified) on July 2, 2018 - 11:58PM

Permalink

I've wanted one forever but could never afford one. My car got totaled with hail in 2016 so I bought a brand new Altima instead. I love it but it's just not good for Montana winters and fun summer outings. I keep hearing that they're going to bring it back but I don't like the new body style. They need to keep it rugged like the old one. That was its attraction is it was different and it looked like it could take on any terrain.

Submitted by David (not verified) on November 4, 2018 - 11:32PM

Permalink

I had a 2000 Xterra with well over 380,000 miles when I put it to sleep. Yes, I would definitely buy another one. What was Nissan thinking.

Submitted by brody vance (not verified) on November 5, 2018 - 1:48PM

Permalink

I love my Xterra with all my heart. My favorite car without any doubt. If Nissan brings it back, they better do it right. If I see any flowing line/curves, compromised performance or big changes, my head will explode. Nissan has made SUVs recently that look just like every marshmallow car on the market. We need our boxy, rugged style back. That's what everyone here wants.

Submitted by SilverNissanGuy (not verified) on November 17, 2018 - 8:22PM

Permalink

I love my Xterra Pro-4X. My 3rd Xterra after a 2002 SE, 2005 S and a couple of Volvo's one being a XC90 V8. Bring back with same motor and yes keep it body on Frame. I'm just about to add some killer mud tires. Why Nissan went to just crossovers ? Because that's what suburban buyers want ! Chasing millennials - so useless. Nissan needs to get it's head out of it's ass and cater to us hardcore buyers. And yes my other car is a Z Roadster ! To hell with these millennials. Us boomers need to stand up and YELL !!! yes we are mad as hell, and we're NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE !!!

Submitted by Gilles Paquette (not verified) on November 17, 2018 - 9:16PM

Permalink

Would love to see the Xterra back , had an 03 Pathfinder when they were an off road machine (not like todays model ) . Sold it bought an 07 Xterra , traded that in for an 15 Xterra Pro 4x4 . Both these Xterra have been excellent for the winters here in Manitoba and all my camping and of roading adventures. Bring back the Xterra

Submitted by Hussein (not verified) on November 20, 2018 - 4:08AM

Permalink

I love my xterra2008 and need ti upgrade to new model ..it is v good car and heavy and stability but it's have rear seat not comfortable when access in and have high sounds when moving under road unstable. ..
Also fuel pump inside tank when you need to maintenance should open tank while there is solution this case by open hole with cover under rear seat toward fuel pump to easy open it and maintenance. ..in my country Baghdad Iraq we do it this hole so this good idea must Nessan company make it in new model. ..thanks

Submitted by James (not verified) on November 22, 2018 - 9:36PM

Permalink

Maybe first Xterra was a 2011 PRO4X. I sold it for 25K in 2013 and brought a 2014 PRO4X. I thought I had found my last vehicle model, and had planned to sell the 14 and buy a 2016 model, but Nissan stopped making them, so I still have my 2014 model. I will keep this one until Nissan either starts making Xterra's again, or Ford comes out with its Bronco. Looks like I will become a Ford man again in 2020. I had originally thought the Bronco ll was my lifes vehicle model till they stopped making them.

Submitted by Laura Wells (not verified) on December 13, 2018 - 3:06PM

Permalink

I keep getting requests from dealers to buy my 2013 Xterra Pro4X.. Fat chance! I love my Xterra and I'm not parting with it until I can replace it with a new one! Nissan please bring back the Xterra

Submitted by DJ (not verified) on January 8, 2019 - 6:56PM

Permalink

Just passed my 2005 X down to my son at 311000 miles and bought a Titan. It's still running the roads, strong as ever. Love the Titan, but would trade that on a new Xterra in a heartbeat. Bring it back!!

Submitted by D (not verified) on January 15, 2019 - 10:46PM

Permalink

I have a 2006 Xterra and it has 280,000 miles on it. In 2015 I was going to buy a new one and I found out that they were going to be discontinued. I was disheartened. I've been looking since 2015 and can't find anything with the same cargo space. I also want at least a 6 cylinder. I've just about settled on a Grand Cherokee Jeep. I love my X being a truck and sitting up higher. Please bring it back.

Submitted by Julie (not verified) on January 28, 2019 - 9:25PM

Permalink

I inherited my dad’s 2008 XTerra. I love it except that it’s just a rear wheel 2WD and today I needed 3 pushes off ice patches. If the create an all-wheel new XTerra I will definitely get one. I love the size, look and ruggedness of my ‘08 XTerra

Submitted by mark (not verified) on January 29, 2019 - 9:11AM

Permalink

My '14 Pro4X is getting up in mileage.Just turned over 18K :>0. Looking at other things,but nothing compares. I can fit cages for my 5 dogs and it keeps them dry unlike my old frontier. My 14 370Z also only has 18K,My wifes 18 Murano just turned 18K,seems we mostly drive that one. Looking at all the high mile EXTERRAs out there, guess I still have some miles to go. No wonder the dealer always asks me to sell it to them

Submitted by Thomas (not verified) on March 12, 2019 - 4:10AM

Permalink

I had a 2002 Xterra, which I sold when I bought my 2011 Pro-4X brand new. It got totaled with about 5 or 6 payments left, in the summer of 2016. Ended up buying a hybrid, for the gas mileage.. it's great as an economical commuter car, but nowhere near as fun as my beloved X.

Submitted by Tom (not verified) on July 29, 2019 - 9:23AM

Permalink

I have a 2003 Xterra with 155,000 miles that I do not want to part with. If Nissan brings back the Xterra, I will buy one. If the Xterra does not come back, I'm not going to buy another Nissan, I will by a Ford F150.

Submitted by John Jackson (not verified) on August 2, 2019 - 11:18AM

Permalink

I have a 2015 Xterra PRO-4X. If Nissan doesn't bring back the Xterra by the time mine is depleted, I'll probably be looking for a 4Runner to replace it with. If Nissan does bring the Xterra back, but it's only in name and not in capabilities, I won't go for that, either.

Submitted by James (not verified) on August 2, 2019 - 9:20PM

Permalink

I agree with you, John. I have a 14 Xterra PRO4X. prior to that I had a 2011 Xterra PRO4X that I sold just before purchasing the 2014. I had decided that Xterra would be the only vehicles I would ever buy, and they stopped making it. If they ever start making it again I would buy another, but like you said, if it isn't Xterra, I'll just keep the one I have and maybe purchase a Ford Bronco if it stands out from other SUV's like Xterra does,

Submitted by Brian (not verified) on August 7, 2019 - 8:41AM

Permalink

I have a '03 Xterra w/ 162k on it. No problems at all. These things are straight beasts! Put on a 2" body lift, replace hubs w/ manual locking ones & weld up front diff, it will go ANYWHERE. Only weak link in these things are the spring hangers & tiered. Nissan definitely messed up when they axed the X.

They did. They did indeed. Here in Colorado you can rarely go for a drive along the front range or the mountains without seeing more Xterra's than any other model on the roads. There is still a great demand for used Xterra's here and I've been offered way beyond the blue book for mine several times. Now that Nissan has axed it, it is more popular than ever in this state.

Submitted by Lora L Breault (not verified) on August 21, 2019 - 8:54PM

Permalink

I am a rural mail carrier and use my own vehicles on my route. I started with a 1997 nissan pick-up, then got a 2001 Xterra. Since then, I have had a 2005 Xterra which I traded for my 2013 Xterra. I also have a 2007 Xterra, 2008 Frontier long-bed, and a 2019 Frontier short-bed. Nissan makes a very rugged vehicle, with minimal mechanical problems. I sincerely hope they bring back the Xterra soon. I also hope they don't citify it. Xterras were and are a true off-road vehicle, don't change them too much.