Nissan Returns to Rugged Heritage by Reviving Two Popular Off-Road Models
Nissan is going back to its rugged heritage. They are reviving two popular off-road models. The Xterra is coming back. It was last sold in 2015. The new one will be body-on-frame. It arrives around 2028. A new Pathfinder will use ladder-frame too. First time since 2012. Nissan wants to compete with Prado and Ranger rivals. They showed prototypes to dealers. The Xterra looks beefy and aggressive. Big tires and muscular grille. Electrified powertrain probably V6 hybrid. Infiniti gets a version too. Nissan aims for one million US sales by 2027. They need these trucks and SUVs.
2026 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
The Frontier PRO-4X is ready for trails. Owners take it off-road. You shift into four-low and it crawls. The Bilstein shocks absorb bumps. Owning a PRO-4X feels capable. You load gear in the bed. It tows okay. High miles do not slow it much. Nissan made it tough. Sometimes the interior plastics creak. But it keeps going where others stop.
2026 Nissan Xterra
The Xterra is returning soon. It will be ladder-frame again. People remember the old one fondly. You own an Xterra and bash it on rocks. The body-on-frame flexes right. Electrified V6 maybe. It looks radical to dealers. Owning the new one might feel nostalgic. Or modern with hybrid help. Nissan is betting on off-road fans.
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder goes rugged. Ladder-frame chassis for first time in years. It will rival Prado. Owners want more capability now. You take it on dirt roads. The interior stays family-friendly. Owning a body-on-frame Pathfinder changes it. Less crossover more truck. Nissan might electrify it too. It exists to fill the gap.
2026 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue gets e-Power in 2026. It is the X-Trail equivalent. Owners drive it daily. Hybrid power without plugging in. You own a Rogue and it sips fuel. The electric motor smooths acceleration. Nissan uses it to boost sales. Sometimes it feels like a CVT. But mostly refined. Rogue keeps going in cities.
2026 Nissan Armada
The Armada is Nissan’s big SUV. It tows heavy. Owners haul boats. The V8 lasts long. You own an Armada and tow trailers easy. Interior space is huge. Nissan refreshed it recently. Owning one feels commanding. Fuel thirst is real. But it endures high miles.
Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner is the benchmark. Body-on-frame forever. Owners off-road hard. You own a 4Runner and it climbs anything. Old design but reliable. High miles common. Toyota keeps it simple. Owning one is commitment. It holds value. Sometimes rusty but runs.
Ford Bronco
The Bronco came back strong. Doors off fun. Owners customize endless. You own a Bronco and explore trails. Modular design helps. V6 or EcoBoost. It feels playful. Owning one draws attention. Reliability questions linger. But capability shines.
Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler defines off-road. Rubicon trim extreme. Owners lift and mod. You own a Wrangler and remove top. Wind in hair trails. Manual option still. It bounces over rocks. Owning one is lifestyle. Parts break but fix easy. Iconic shape endures.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
The Colorado ZR2 is midsize off-roader. Multimatic shocks. Owners bash dunes. You own a ZR2 and air down tires. It tracks straight fast. Turbo four punches. Interior okay for truck. Owning one competes with Tacoma. Nissan watches it.
Infiniti QX60
The QX60 is luxury Nissan. VC-Turbo engine. Owners want upscale. You own a QX60 and cruise highways. Smooth but not sporty. Three rows fit family. Infiniti version of Xterra coming. Owning premium off-road might appeal. Smooth interior wears well.
