Nissan is plotting a comeback after several years of losses. In recent days, executives have suggested that the plan could involve a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pickup truck and the rebirth of the much-missed Xterra off-road SUV.
Nissan scuttled a planned merger with rival Honda in early 2025. Since then, the company has been on a charm offensive, teasing 10 new models, including a drastic makeover for its pioneering Leaf electric vehicle (EV).
Last week, executives suggested the new model offensive isn’t over.
Plug-in Hybrid Frontier in Development
Ponz Pandikuthira, chief planning officer for Nissan in the Americas, told Motor Trend the Nissan Frontier “will have to be electrified.” A PHEV system, he said, “would be the ultimate solution. We’re still working on it.”
PHEVs can travel a certain distance on electric power alone before using their gasoline engines to go further.
After Pandikuthira spoke to Motor Trend, the company unveiled a PHEV called the Frontier Pro at China’s Shanghai auto show. That truck is not intended for the U.S., the company says.
On the Wish List: A New Xterra
A PHEV pickup isn’t the only thing Nissan would like to build.
Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier told industry publication Automotive News, “If I could bring a car tomorrow, that would be Xterra. We’re working on it. We’ll find a way.”
An off-roader sold from the 2000 to 2015 model years, the Xterra still has a legion of fans who want it back. Previous Xterra SUVs offered quirky features including a supercharged V6 engine and a manual transmission.
Those may not be part of any comeback. Nissan has been teasing an Xterra-like electric vehicle (EV) since one appeared in silhouette at a 2024 presentation.
