THE BREAKDOWN
- The new Xterra will debut with an ICE-only powertrain.
- It will use a V6, not a turbocharged four-cylinder.
- No manual transmission option planned.
Enjoyers of simple, rugged off-road vehicles can, tentatively, rejoice. Nissan’s US chief of product planning has said there “will be a pure ICE” V6 version of the upcoming Nissan Xterra revival, alongside a hybrid V6 variant. That, folks, is good news.
When speaking to Car and Driver, Nissan US chief of product planning, Ponz Pandikuthira, laid out the plan for the upcoming Xterra. It will, of course, be an old-school body-on-frame SUV like the Toyota 4Runner, but it will take a different strategy from Toyota.
V6 Power
Instead of small turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains, Nissan is going to stick with a V6. Which V6 is unclear, but Nissan currently has two: the twin-turbo 3.0-liter in the Nissan Z and Infiniti Q50, and the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter in the Frontier. It’s more likely that Nissan will use the 3.8-liter… but wouldn’t it be sick if it were the twin-turbo engine?
Either way, Pandikuthira made one critical promise: An ICE-only variant. This will keep it simple for buyers seeking longevity and simplicity, and is especially attractive with the naturally aspirated V6. That means Nissan is going to make an old-school truck with brand-new tricks, and that is highly appealing in a market full of complications.
Hybrid?
That doesn’t mean the option won't be there. Pandikuthira continued by saying Nissan will build a hybrid from the ICE-only version, meaning it’s likely that the Nissan will launch with a non-hybrid Xterra. If buyers want more efficiency and horsepower, then they’ll be able to pony up for more.
What is dead in the water are any plans to make an EV Xterra or a manual ICE Xterra. It will be automatic-only, which is a shame but not entirely unexpected. Still, a pure-ICE V6 Xterra in a market driven by downsized, emissions-capable engines is an interesting proposition. We’ll just have to wait for 2028 when the new Xterra debuts.
Motor1's Take: Nissan offering a non-hybrid gasoline V6 Xterra can only be seen as a good thing. It'll keep the truck simple to make, develop, and own. And, it will attract buyers looking for something simpler.
