New Nissan Xterra targets at least 50,000 annual sales and $40,000 starting price

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New article: https://www.autonews.com/nissan/an-nissan-xterra-drives-new-truck-based-platform-0421/

Nissan’s Xterra SUV targets sub-$40,000 starting price and at least 50,000 annual sales

Summary:

TOKYO — Nissan is leaning into body-on-frame engineering, competitive pricing, and nostalgic charm to regain its standing in the off-road SUV category. By bringing back the legendary Xterra and developing a broader lineup of related vehicles, the automaker hopes to recapture the rugged, adventurous spirit that previously characterized the brand.

During a press gathering in Japan, leadership detailed plans for their forthcoming body-on-frame portfolio. This strategy features a resurrected Xterra scheduled for a late 2028 debut alongside a midsize SUV with three rows of seating. Additionally, the Infiniti brand is expected to launch its own versions based on the Xterra platform.

“The Xterra represents the DNA of Nissan: affordable, durable and high quality,” Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier told Automotive News this month.

“We don’t want to overengineer it and make it overly complicated or expensive,” Meunier said.

Targeting the $40,000 Threshold

Nissan is aiming for an entry price below $40,000, addressing a market where rising costs have become a significant obstacle for buyers.

“That’s a challenge, but we are going to get it done,” Meunier said.

The new Xterra, which Automotive News first reported on last spring, intends to capitalize on the dedicated fanbase of the original model that was retired over ten years ago. Many former owners who drove Xterras in their youth now possess more disposable income and are looking for versatile, off-road capable vehicles that remind them of that era.

“We’re going to give our Nissan customers everything they need, nothing they don’t,” Meunier said, referencing the tagline of the original Xterra.

Following the Telluride Model

Ponz Pandikuthira, the head of product planning for Nissan Americas, cited the Kia Telluride as a benchmark for success. He noted how that model arrived with surprising features to become a massive hit, providing a roadmap for Nissan's own execution.

“We’ve zoned in on an execution for Xterra and a three-row derivative of that vehicle … that will really differentiate it in this space,” Pandikuthira said.

Meunier anticipates that annual volume for the new Xterra will exceed 50,000 units.