Nissan has teased a boxy electric SUV expected to arrive in late 2027, and we think this model could serve as an indirect successor to the Xterra. Although it may ultimately not carry the Xterra name, Nissan has characterized the SUV as “adventure-focused,” with a design that mirrors the Xterra’s distinctive squared-off appearance. Production of the electric SUV is scheduled to commence at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Canton, Mississippi, in late 2027. Nissan showed off a bunch of new models today, hoping that the brand’s troubles will be over in the next few years. The popular Rogue SUV will get a new hybrid version soon after the Nissan Leaf, which changes the EV from a strange hatchback to a small SUV. A better-looking new electric SUV will be made starting in late 2027. It might be like the off-road-focused Xterra from the 2000s, but better. There isn’t a lot of information out there, but there are some signs that this new electric SUV might be able to go off-road. The dark teaser picture shows a boxy body with a cut-off back and a short hood. In Japan, we saw a number of style prototypes that made the off-road look stand out. It might be more telling that Nissan said its new SUV would be “adventure-focused.” Nissan has made Pathfinder and Rogue models that are called Rock Creek. These are more luxurious SUVs than real off-road cars, though. Nissan hasn’t made a really tough car since the Xterra stopped production in 2015. It’s not clear if Nissan will use the Xterra name for the new electric vehicle, but the fact that the company applied for a new trademark for the name in December 2024 makes it more likely that the Xterra will come back. Nissan says it will start building the electric SUV and the Infiniti at its plant in Canton, Mississippi, in late 2027. Nissan had unexpectedly said that the Canton plant would start making two electric cars in 2025: one would be a production-ready version of the Infiniti Qe concept, and the other would replace the Nissan Maxima. However, since Nissan didn’t talk about either car in their plans today, the sedans have been thrown out, and the two electric SUVs will now be put together in Canton. Nissan also showed off a bunch of other brand-new items. Along with the new Leaf and a plug-in hybrid Rogue, Nissan will show off a new Pathfinder SUV and a next-generation Sentra car later this year. The Sentra is likely to get bigger to make up for the loss of the Altima after the 2025 model year. Next year, Nissan will bring its e-Power range-extending plug-in hybrid technology to the US and a new, fourth-generation Rogue. Nissan has a big plan to get back on track, which will keep it busy over the next few years. We can’t wait to hear more about the upcoming Brave electric SUV.
