The Bronco has been revived, the 4Runner is more popular than ever, while the Wrangler’s popularity has never been a question. Luckily for many of us, the segment of genuine off-roaders has been consolidated and it looks like it’s getting more and more popular these days. That may be the reason why we can find a lot of reports that suggest another comeback. This time, it’s about Nissan’s well-known off-roader, which was in production for more than 15 years. It looks like it could come back, with a completely new design, as the 2023 Nissan Xterra.
Of course, one of the main reasons why many believe in this comeback is the recent redesign of the Frontier pickup, after more than fifteen years. It looks like the Xterra could once again be a modern and competitive SUV, which wasn’t the case with the final production years of the previous generation.
At this point, the 2023 Nissan Xterra is just a rumor, even though unofficial reports suggest it could come by the end of this year. In any case, don’t take the following paragraphs too seriously.
2023 Nissan Xterra Design
The last time we saw this SUV coming out from the factory lane was seven years ago. That’s long enough to realize that the new model would come significantly different but still not long enough to expect a completely new layout. The Frontier has been redesigned after more than 15 years but it still rides on a good-old F-Alpha platform, just like Nissan’s entire BoF lineup. Therefore, we would expect the same scenario in the case of the 2023 Nissan Xterra.
Still, the architecture would get a significant update, with a completely new suspension setup, chassis reinforcement and all other modifications that would make this SUV drive like a modern vehicle.
Exterior Design
One of the first things that come to mind is the size. The previous generation was a compact SUV, with a little bit more than 106 inches in wheelbase. We believe that the new 2023 Nissan Xterra would get slightly bigger. Most likely, the wheelbase would go around 110-112 inches, while the overall dimensions would be similar to the Toyota 4Runner. Toyota’s SUV may be old but it’s more popular than ever and it makes perfect sense to see Nissan aiming at this niche of the SUV segment.
When it comes to the styling, we would expect to see a typical SUV design, with a boxy shape and lots of rectangular design solutions. On the other hand, the front end would probably look the same as the new frontier, which utilizes a pretty modern look, with even some futuristic details. Naturally, the 2023 Nissan Xterra would come with a couple of exclusive bits as well.
Interior
When it comes to interior design, we expect no surprises. In order to make production faster and cut expenses, the dashboard would look largely the same as in the new Frontier. That wouldn’t be a bad thing at all, considering that the new pickup looks very nice from the inside. It utilizes quality materials, while aesthetics are pretty modern. Also, there are various modern tech features that don’t make this cabin just more functional but also look more upscale.
When it comes to the overall cabin layout, expect two rows of seats, while the third may come as an option. Still, that third row wouldn’t be very spacious, but rather typically tight for this segment. On the other hand, the first two rows would be spacious and comfortable. Also, the driving position should be similar to the one in Frontier, which is high and ensures good visibility in all directions.
2023 Nissan Xterra Engine
This aspect definitely wouldn’t bring any surprise. Of course, we are talking about Nissan’s new 3.8-liter V6 engine, which debuted in Frontier last year. The engine puts out around 310 horsepower, which is more power than you get in 4Runner and most Wrangler versions. Along with the new engine, there is a new 9-speed automatic transmission, which is really smooth.
The driving dynamics would be very good, while the fuel economy would be similar to the Frontier, we estimate. The new pickup returns around 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with rear-wheel drive, while AWD models are slightly thirstier.
2023 Nissan Xterra Release Date and Price
Even though we can find reports that suggest the 2023 Nissan Xterra’s arrival in the next year, the fact is that this return is just a rumor for now and that the actual chances aren’t all that big. If it arrives, we presume that the starting price would go around 35.000 dollars.