Nissan to build V6 hybrid Prado rival

Nissan is set to re-boot its Xterra nameplate, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The Xterra historically has been Nissan’s equivalent to Toyota’s Prado, Isuzu’s MU-X, or the Ford Everest, although it has never seen Australian shores.

Now though, a new version is set to be built, with Bloomberg quoting the chairman of Nissan’s American operation Christian Meunier as saying the 4x4 will be “a great example of Nissan coming back".

He confirmed the Xterra will share components with the US-market Frontier, a ladder-frame US-sized pick-up which was spun-off from the global Navara model back in 2022. This model is currently powered by a 3.8-litre version of the brand’s VQ-series six-cylinder engine, paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

It may even spawn a Lexus GX-rivalling Infiniti version.

However, despite the resurrection of the nameplate, there’s a catch for what would be a perfect fit for Nissan’s Australian line-up. The new Xterra is designed to be built in the US to take up free capacity in the brand’s Canton, Mississippi facility.

The new Xterra will come at the cost of Nissan’s previous plans to build a fully electric model in America, as the nation turns its back on emissions-friendly technology, and makes it more difficult for automakers to import models from other countries.

That, and the fact that it's likely to share its underpinnings with the left-hand-drive only, North American market Frontier, seems to all but shut down its chances for an Australian launch.

Similarly, Nissan has never imported the Terra - a south-east-asian market SUV based on the Navara - to Australia as it fell short of stringent safety requirements.

All is not lost for the hopes of a hybrid Prado-rivalling Nissan for Australia though. The brand’s new Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute, built as part of a Chinese joint-venture with Dongfeng, is explicitly aimed at global markets.

The Frontier Pro brings a new ladder-frame architecture with a plug-in hybrid system which maintains mechanical links to the axles and a proper transfer case, unlike the BYD Shark.

Nissan representatives speaking at the Frontier Pro’s Shanghai Motor Show debut said an SUV version was possible and being considered.

Given Nissan has said it would also consider the ute for an Australian launch, it could make an interesting direction for Nissan’s 4x4 offerings Down Under.

Meanwhile, the next-generation Navara, which will share its underpinnings with the new-generation Mitsubishi Triton, is set to be revealed before the end of 2025. It is no secret Mitsubishi has been plotting a Pajero-badged SUV based on its Triton, so seemingly a Nissan 4x4 with the same underpinnings could also be a possibility.

The embattled Japanese giant is on a mission to make its business more sustainable as it faces battles on multiple fronts.

It is downsizing its factory footprint and workforce the world over as it tries to cut overheads, while at the same time launching multiple new or updated models as it tries to stay competitive, particularly as Chinese rivals close in on its territory.

Like other brands, it is also being forced to pivot more heavily into the US as tariffs will heavily impact its access to one of the world’s largest new-car markets.

It is also pulling back from EV plans on multiple fronts, instead leaning into its six-cylinder offerings, despite much of the world cracking down on emissions.

In the meantime, the brand fully plans to embrace “china speed” model cycles, which it is learning from its joint-venture partners.

In Australia, Nissan’s Managing Director Andrew Humberstone said the company has completely re-worked its mid-term plan in light of these recent movements.

It will go hybrid-only for the Qashqai SUV range, and is expected to launch the Leaf and new Navara in 2026.