'Functional and affordable': Nissan plots stripped-back ute-based SUV rival for the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport!
By Andrew Chesterton · 24 May 2025
Nissan has added a return of the Xterra to the top of its future-product wish list, with one of the brand's most senior executives pushing for a "functional and affordable" ute-based SUV that would take on the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.In music to the ears of those who want a return to stripped-back motoring, the chairman of Nissan Americas, Christian Meunier, said he recognised buyers want "a return to authenticity and simplicity, not having all the gizmos and gadgets" in a ute-based SUV.Asked what white space Nissan has in its American lineup, the executive told Automotive News that "if I could bring a car tomorrow, it would be the Xterra", referencing the Navara-based SUV that was discontinued in 2015 before being reborn in the Middle East in 2021."This is a white space because many competitors target the higher end of the adventure market. People desire a sense of freedom," he said."There‘s a return to authenticity and simplicity, not having all the gizmos and gadgets. People want a comfortable, functional and affordable vehicle."The new Nissan Navara launches in Australia this year, and while the brand locally hasn't confirmed an SUV version of its dual-cab ute, the timing sometime within this generation would fit.We do know that Nissan is promising the new Navara will be a "very exciting truck", and that the brand is even considering introducing a hardcore NISMO variant to take the fight to the Ford Ranger Raptor.While the plug-in hybrid Frontier Pro, recently revealed in Shanghai, makes a sharp looking SUV, as seen this story's lead image, it's actually the Navara due this year that would most lend itself to that promise of "simplicity".That's because Nissan has pledged to stick with diesel, rather than electrification, for the earliest parts of that model's lifespan."We need to make sure that if we electrify, how we electrify. I think it will be a two-step approach, first with a PHEV solution, then later on with EV. That will be the two-step approach. That's what we're looking at, but first it will be with a diesel approach," Nissan's Chairperson of the AMEIO Region, Guillaume Cartier, has told CarsGuide.Interestingly, Nissan USA re-trademarked the Xterra name in December last year, paving the way for the model's return in that market. Sadly, no such trademark as appeared in Australia yet.