Exclusive: This is the new era of Nissan Xterra concept coming

Nissan’s demand is clearly quiet as every automaker is busy restoring legacy nameplates such as Bronco and Land Cruiser to take advantage of the increasing demand for off-road rugged off-road. In fact, the brand has been dealing with everything from financial headaches to stalled merger negotiations, while promising to reset the lineup in the future. But one of the strangest omissions in its recent history? Xterra has disappeared since 2015.

More: Can this mysterious Nissan SUV be the new electric Xterra?

The good news is that Nissan’s long-term product roadmap includes an SUV with a 2027 square-square-looking that can be loosely picked up in the off-road Xterra’s closed position, even if it may not carry the same name. The bad news for purists is that it will be electricity. But before that, fans could chew something in the form of two speculative SEMA concepts that could imagine the traditional, gas-fired 2026 Xterra Can look like.

A twisted return

Illustration car

Let’s start by telling you a few months ago Nissan Project X Build. It’s a passionate project, dreamt by Nick Raymond Scherr, a video creator and die-hard Nissan enthusiast who works in Avondale Nissan, Arizona. When he didn’t help fans without the dealer mark, he had been investing his free time in a long-standing dream: a modern interpretation of Xterra in 2026.

Although Nissan and Nismo were not directly involved in the design or development of the two project X builds, they knew about the project. After a trailer earlier this year, Carscoops got exclusive information and created a sketch rendering of one of the concepts to gain a clearer understanding of what is coming.

Mix and matched DNA

Illustration car

These Xterra concepts are not simple restorations, they are a comprehensive mix of Nissan off-road heritage. Donor parts include elements from the second generation Xterra (2005-2015), the third generation Pathfinder (2005-2012), and the current border (2022-2022-present). The sketch shows a burly SUV with border-style headlights, grille and taillights, with an updated appearance. The main body adopts Xterra, while the side proportion borrows clues from older Pathfinders.

True to the tradition of the SEMA version, the SUV will enhance the SUV with a roof rack, off-road bumper, rock rail and tire carrier. The two studies will also feature modern interiors with the latest technology, one with a standard two-row setup and the other with a three-row seating layout.

In a true SEMA approach, both versions will feature the expected kit: roof rack, off-road bumper, rock slider and place tire carrier. Inside, things are filled with current technical and biological comfort, and this thing has undergone a modern overhaul. One version will come with a traditional two-row configuration, while the other version will stretch to fit three rows.

Power, existence and a lot of courage

Illustration car

Both versions will ride on a proper ladder-style chassis and come with a 4WD. Expect contemporary off-road technology and some NISMO hardware to be spread over a good range. As for what’s under the hood, this is the fun place. One version will pack Nissan’s 3.8-liter V6, while another will go all out, which should offer a lot of drama and presence.

Also known as “Nismo Nick,” Scherr will document the build process on his Instagram page where fans can follow along as the project develops. While these may be fan-building concepts, they have received official support from Nissan North America and Nismo and provide some extra legitimacy for the whole thing.

We will update this story with more details ahead of SEMA later this year.