logo
Nissan Would Sell a New Xterra Tomorrow If It Could

Nissan Would Sell a New Xterra Tomorrow If It Could

Motor 115-05-2025
Nissan is in a bit of a pickle. The company is cutting 20,000 jobs, shuttering seven factories, and pausing development of several models. It's all part of the 'Re:Nissan' plan to stop the financial bleeding after losing a staggering $4.5 billion in just one year. While
cost-cutting
is currently the top priority, one executive is eager to talk product, specifically, the revival of the Xterra.
Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier told
Automotive News
there's a gap in the lineup for an Xterra-like vehicle. He argues that while rival brands chase high-end SUVs, a more affordable, utilitarian model could attract buyers looking for something simpler and easier on the wallet: 'People desire a sense of freedom. There's a return to authenticity and simplicity—not having all the gizmos and gadgets. People want a comfortable, functional, and affordable vehicle.'
At the New York Auto Show last month, Nissan USA's head of product planning, Ponz Pandikuthira, told
Motor1
the company is actively working on
bringing back the Xterra
. He also noted that Vinay Shahani, Nissan's local head of sales and marketing, is on board with reviving the moniker, which was retired a decade ago. Since 2018, Nissan has been selling the Terra, a similarly named body-on-frame SUV in other markets, though it's a much larger vehicle.
The Xterra isn't the only model Meunier wants to bring to the U.S. lineup. He's also pushing for a range-extending version of the
Frontier
, with a gas engine serving as a generator to charge the battery. His projection? Around 100 miles of electric-only range, with another 500 miles courtesy of the range-extender.
Nissan has already electrified the Frontier, just not the version sold in America. China's new
Frontier Pro
is heavily related to the Nissan Dongfeng Z9 and serves as the brand's first traditional plug-in hybrid and its first electrified pickup. It pairs a turbocharged 1.5-liter gas engine with an electric motor to deliver a combined 402 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. It can travel up to 84 miles before the gas engine kicks in. That said, the odds of the Frontier Pro making it stateside are slim to none.
Nissan U.S. lineup teaser
Photo by: Nissan
Still, Nissan has a few new models headed for the U.S. It recently previewed a
Leaf crossover
, a next-gen Sentra, and a plug-in hybrid Rogue, which is expected to be a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. A fully redesigned Rogue with E-Power range-extending tech, a conventional plug-in hybrid, and a standard gas model will follow. Also on the way: an electric 'adventure-focused' SUV with styling influenced by the original Xterra.
What about the Altima? It's still being discontinued without a direct replacement. Meunier explains the next-gen
Sentra
is bigger 'than an Altima from two generations ago,' so there's no need to have both sedans anymore. According to a Nissan supplier cited by
Automotive News
, production of the Sentra could move from Mexico to the U.S. to dodge the Trump administration's tariffs.
NIssan's Plans:
The New Nissan Leaf Will Also Be a Mitsubishi
Nissan Could Turn the Frontier Plug-In Hybrid Into an SUV
Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily.
back
Sign up
For more information, read our
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use
.
Source:
Automotive News
Share this Story
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Flipboard
Reddit
WhatsApp
E-Mail
Got a tip for us? Email:
tips@motor1.com
Join the conversation
(
)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nissan Launches Practical Murano Lease Deal For July
Nissan Launches Practical Murano Lease Deal For July

Miami Herald

time2 days ago

  • Miami Herald

Nissan Launches Practical Murano Lease Deal For July

The Nissan Murano is a crossover fit for families of five, with spacious seating and a pretty nice list of standard features. While it isn't available in hybrid form, Nissan's midsize crossover comes new and improved for the 2025 model year. If you're in the market for a new family hauler, you can get behind the wheel of a Nissan Murano for as little as $289 per month. This specific lease deal requires $5,929 due at signing and includes an annual 10,000-mile allowance. The Nissan Murano is largely slept on due to the brand's past troubles, but many of those issues seem to be gone for good with the launch of the fourth generation. The midsize crossover has been redesigned from the ground up and comes in three trim levels. The base SV trim is subject to some of the best lease deals, but don't let its place on the roster fool you. Starting at $40,470, the SV trim comes locked and loaded with upscale amenities often reserved for more expensive models. The 2025 Nissan Murano arrives with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Japanese automaker has done away with the V6-CVT combination from the previous generation. With its new powertrain, the Murano delivers a peppy 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The all-new Murano earns up to an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, combining for 23 mpg. The Nissan Murano can also tow up to 1,500 lbs. The base Murano SV comes stocked with premium amenities, including heated front seats wrapped in leatherette upholstery. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display comes standard across all trim levels, as does wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Wireless charging makes the list of standard equipment as well. With the rear seats in place, the Murano offers up to 32.9 cu ft. of cargo space. In styling alone, the 2025 Nissan Murano stands out from the crowd. It rides on 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels that mesh well with LED lighting. A sweeping roofline and curvaceous contours create an upscale look. All models come equipped with a power liftgate, which is an absolute must-have feature for parents with younger children. Nissan Murano lease offers for July vary according to the market, and some areas are eligible for additional cash back offers. For example, Miami residents can get behind the wheel of a Murano SV FWD for as little as $359 per month, with $4,388 due at signing. That offer is also eligible for $1,000 and $750 NMAC cash back incentives. Those living in the Charlotte area can get that same model for $399 per month and $4,378 down, and may be eligible for a $1,000 NMAC cash back incentive. Residents of Denver can put a Nissan Murano SV FWD in their driveway for $399 per month and a $4,449 initial payment. Those living in New York City can get a Murano SV AWD for a rather low monthly payment of $289, but will need to put $5,929 down. Detroit residents can also get an SV AWD model for as little as $349 per month, with $4,579 due at signing. Those on the hunt for a new family crossover in Chicago can get a Murano SV AWD for just $369 per month and $4,579 down. All four cities are eligible for a $1,000 NMAC loyalty cash back incentive, but only Chicago and Detroit can take advantage of an additional $500 lease bonus cash offer. Austin and Seattle share an identical lease deal, a Murano SV FWD for a $419 monthly payment and $4,439 due at signing. Only Austin is eligible for a $1,000 NMAC loyalty cash back incentive, though. Residents of sunny Los Angeles can get behind the wheel of a new Nissan Murano SV FWD for just $379 per month, with a $4,439 down payment. All lease offers are valid through August 4th and span a 36-month term with an annual 10,000-mile allowance. Clearly designed to stand out from the crowd, the all-new 2025 Nissan Murano turns heads with sleek styling and a comfortable, yet practical interior. Add in the convenient infotainment tech, and the Murano has the makings of an all-encompassing family crossover. If you want to put a new Nissan Murano in your garage, don't hesitate! These lease offers are only valid through August 4th, after all! Lease offers may vary by location, vehicle configuration, and are subject to credit approval. Advertised monthly payments don't necessarily include taxes, title, registration, or other fees. To learn more about your local Nissan Murano lease deals, visit the official Nissan website and enter your zip code. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Japan is facing slowing exports and trade deficit amid threat from Trump's tariffs
Japan is facing slowing exports and trade deficit amid threat from Trump's tariffs

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

Japan is facing slowing exports and trade deficit amid threat from Trump's tariffs

Japan sank into a trade deficit of 2.2 trillion yen (€13 billion) for the first six months of this year, according to government data released Thursday, as exports were hit by President Donald Trump's tariffs. In June, Japan's exports slipped 0.5% from a year earlier, following a 1.7% drop in May. Japan's exports to the US declined by 11% in June, with auto exports plunging 26.7%. (The US slapped car imports with a 25% tariff in April.) Shipments to China decreased by nearly 5%. Exports to Mexico, a major auto assembly hub for North America for Japanese automakers, fell nearly 20%. Trump has postponed implementing that higher import duty until 1 August, to allow time for negotiations, but so far no deal has been reached. Japan exports in June totalled nearly 9.2 trillion yen (€53 billion), in the second straight month of declines. As imports rose slightly by 0.2%, the trade surplus came in at 153 billion yen (just over €890 million), following a trade deficit in May amounting to 637.6 billion yen, or €3.7bn. Related Spain overtakes Japan in GDP per capita - what is behind the numbers? Nissan is closing flagship Oppama plant in Japan to cut costs In the first half of the year, Japan's exports totalled 53.4 trillion yen (€310bn), up 3.6%, while imports rose 1.3% to 55.6 trillion yen (€320bn). Japan and the US have been holding trade talks, with Japanese officials stressing that Japan is a key US ally. Customs data shows that, based on value, nearly one-fifth of all exports were heading to the US in 2024, making a trade deal crucial for the country's economy. Trump has focused on rice, a sector traditionally protected from foreign competition for the sake of Japan's food security. Japan imports more than 300,000 tons of rice a year from the US, according to various data, although some of that is used for animal feed. Japan will hold an election for the Upper House of Parliament on Sunday. Given falling public support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's administration, the conservative and pro-business ruling Liberal Democratic Party could lose its majority unless it gains another coalition partner. Japan's economy contracted in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter, partly due to slowing exports. Following the latest export figures, concerns are mounting that the export-dependent Japanese economy is going to contract again in the second quarter, and the country will land in a recession. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data

These Are the 16 Best Cars For Road Trips
These Are the 16 Best Cars For Road Trips

Motor Trend

time2 days ago

  • Motor Trend

These Are the 16 Best Cars For Road Trips

It's hard to get a group of Americans to agree on anything these days, but one thing we think would find universal agreement on is our collective love of road trips. Whether it be visiting family for the holidays, towing boats or campers to the lake, or just taking in a national park, no matter where you're going, the great American road trip will inevitably require you to eat up many miles on the interstate. You can say we all know a thing or two about the best cars for road trips. MotorTrend lists the top 16 road-trip cars, including the Honda Civic Hybrid for small families, Chrysler Pacifica for large families, Mazda MX-5 Miata for getaways, Ram 1500 for towing, Land Rover Defender for off-roading, Ford Bronco Sport for winter, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for EVs. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next MotorTrend editors collectively drive hundreds of thousands of miles each year in addition to our regular battery of subjective and objective testing and reviews. As such, our editors have worked together to pick a wide assortment of vehicles for all the types of road trips Americans tend to take. While not an all-encompassing list—and acknowledging that many of our choices could stand on their own as a great road-trip car regardless of the category we placed it in—what follows are our picks for the 16 best cars for road trips. Best Road-Trip Cars For Small Families Honda Civic Hybrid Our editors are frequently asked by friends and family for car recommendations, and the Honda Civic Hybrid has become one of our default choices. Available as both a sedan and a hatchback, the Civic Hybrid is notable for its value and great performance while still returning exceptional fuel economy. Although some editors have found the cabin to be a touch loud (a common Honda complaint) and seats hard after a long day in the saddle (the standard heated seats are nice), the pros of the Civic's comfortable ride, pep, and driver assist aids really help ease the burden on long trips. Nissan Rogue The Nissan Rogue is a standout in its compact SUV space for the way it balances performance, comfort, and space. Powered by a punchy little 201-hp turbocharged I-3, the Rogue is one of the few vehicles in the segment to not leave our drivers wanting for passing power on two-lane highways while also returning fuel economy numbers (up to 30/37/33 mpg city/highway/combined per the EPA) that ensures we're not constantly stopping to top up. Add its spacious cabin, deep cargo area, and optional ProPilot Assist driving aid to the mix, and the Rogue is a highway star. Best Road-Trip Cars For Large Families Chrysler Pacifica Few vehicles can match a minivan when it comes to outright road-trip mastery. With room for up to seven or eight adults and their things, minivans make long-distance travel feel easy. The Chrysler Pacifica is the best of 'em. We're particularly fond of this stylish van's optional plug-in hybrid powertrain, intuitive controls (both for the driver and those in back), great ergonomics, and innovative Stow 'N Go seats, which on non-hybrid models allow you to fold all the rear seats flat into the floor. Chevrolet Traverse Too cool for a minivan? We don't believe you. Regardless, the Chevrolet Traverse three-row crossover makes a fine alternative. Although it isn't as spacious or well-packaged as a minivan, the Traverse offers up many of the minivan's traditional family-friendly features in an SUV wrapper. Those interested in the seven- or eight-passenger Chevy should be well-served by the base Traverse LT, which, for $46,630 when equipped with the Driver Confidence and Enhanced Driving packages, is the cheapest vehicle GM makes with Super Cruise. Super Cruise, a 2025 MotorTrend Best Tech Award winner for best hands-free driver assistance system, allows supervised hands- and foot-free driving on about 750,000 miles of GM-mapped roadways across the United States and Canada. Mazda MX-5 Miata Some of the most memorable trips MT editors have taken have involved squeezing into a Miata with a special someone, dropping the top, and hitting the road. While the Miata wouldn't be our first choice for long slogs across the Great Plains, for little weekend jaunts up to wine country or taking the back roads to that cute little countryside Airbnb, it's the perfect vehicle for escape. Mercedes-Benz E-Class OK, fine. You 'need' to bring more stuff … 'just in case.' Look, we get it. Some of us are chronic overpackers, too. It'd be hard to go wrong with our 2025 Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, then, particularly its All-Terrain wagon variant (pictured). The E-Class in all its forms excels at quiet comfort, offering up gobs of power, an exceptional ride, cushy seats, and advanced driving aids to melt away stress. Best Road-Trip Cars For Towing Ram 1500 Full-size half-ton pickups would seem to be great road-trip vehicles purely due to their spaciousness, but many of them don't ride particularly well, and most lack any sort of covered storage, making road-trip rest stops a stressful affair. Those negatives don't apply to our 2025 Truck of the Year, the Ram 1500. On the former front, Ram's standard suspension design offers up better comfort than its rivals' do, and optional air springs improve ride quality even further while also helping improve towing performance. On the storage front, we're huge fans of Ram's optional Ram Box trunks built into the sides of the bed. They're excellent for everything from trailer hitches and ratchet straps to backpacks. They even work as coolers in a pinch. Other factors working in the Ram's favor are smooth, powerful engines, trailer aids, and a towing capacity of up to 11,600 pounds. Chevrolet Tahoe/Chevrolet Suburban There's a reason why the Chevrolet Suburban (and its short-wheelbase variant, the Chevrolet Tahoe) is the longest-running automotive nameplate in the world: The Suburban just does so much so well. One thing it and the Tahoe excel at is moving people and their things with ease. Both versions of Chevy's SUV offer up powerful V-8s (we're particularly fond of the larger 6.2-liter V-8), a fuel-efficient turbodiesel, and GM's award-winning Super Cruise hands-free driving system. For those worried about outright towing power, the Tahoe can drag up to 8,400 pounds and the Suburban up to 8,200 pounds. Best Road-Trip Cars For Off-Roading or Camping Land Rover Defender From the wilds of Namibia to the streets of Northern California, there are few environments in the world where we haven't driven a Land Rover Defender. What remains a constant no matter the terrain is how seriously impressive the Defender is. Whether it be a day off-roading or just eating up the interstate, this Land Rover is supremely comfortable, spacious, and easy to drive, always helping ensure we arrive at our destinations as rested and relaxed as when we left. Rivian R1T There might not be a pickup truck on the market as impressive as the Rivian R1T. This electric truck drives like a sports car on winding back roads and a big comfy SUV on highways, and it takes to off-road terrain like no other EV. The Rivian's software-connected nature makes it even better to road trip to off-road trails and camp sites. On the highway it features advanced driving aids that help reduce the driver's workload, and on trail it has a wide variety of drive modes to fit the terrain. Once at the campsite the R1T's camp mode will level the truck no matter the terrain to provide a perfect platform for Rivian's optional bed- or roof-mounted tent, making setting up camp and unpacking its covered frunk and gear tunnels a breeze. Best Road-Trip Cars for Winter Ford Bronco Sport While any of the cars on this list fitted with snow tires would be a great choice for a winter road trip, the Ford Bronco Sport is one of our favorites. With the Bronco Sport Ford managed to pack the comfort and practicality of a small crossover with the all-terrain capabilities of the bigger Ford Bronco. The end result is that the Bronco Sport is sure-footed, efficient, and confidence-inspiring, no matter what terrain you encounter this winter. Lincoln Nautilus The Lincoln Nautilus is uniquely suited to be your next ski weekend road-trip ride, mostly because it has a ski-chalet-themed interior option. Smart marketing aside, this recent SUV of the Year winner also offers up standard all-wheel drive, an optional hybrid powertrain, and available Blue Cruise highway driving assist, allowing for hands-free driving on mapped roadways. We're also quite fond of its living-room-comfortable seats, massaging functions, and exceptional 48-inch infotainment display. Best Road-Trip Cars for Summer Ford Mustang There's nothing that screams 'summer road trip' more to us than cruising to the beach with the windows down, music blasting, and a big V-8 bellowing out the exhaust pipe in back. Unfortunately for this American dream, there's only a single V-8-powered muscle car left on the market. Fortunately, it's a good one. While the base Mustang EcoBoost and its 315-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 is nothing to snuff at, the 456-hp 5.0-liter V-8-powered Mustang GT really captures the essence of what makes a muscle car so special. The fact that it's actually a comfortable road tripper for two only adds to the legend. Volkswagen ID Buzz If you're keen to travel a bit slower on your next summer road trip, the Volkswagen ID Buzz is worth your consideration. Like the original, this electric 21st century take on the classic VW Bus is a bit of an unorthodox road-trip vehicle. While the old one was glacially slow, the new one can't go beyond 228 miles on a charge in our real-world 70-mph Road-Trip Range test, and it doesn't charge particularly quickly, either, needing 33 minutes to charge from 5 to 80 percent. If you're content to live with those limitations, however, there are few vehicles on the road as charming as the Buzz. It offers the driver effortless performance, while your seven passengers can enjoy a quiet, spacious cabin with huge windows and a commanding seating position to take in summer scenery. Best Road-Trip Cars (EVs) Hyundai Ioniq 5 Road tripping an EV isn't for everyone. Although it's getting easier by the day, they often require a little bit of route planning beforehand to ensure you've got enough charge to get where you need to go. The Ioniq 5 (and the related Ioniq 6 sedan) is one of our favorites. This spacious, stylish electric SUV is EPA-rated at up to 318 miles in single-motor form (a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version hit a respectable 244 miles in our Road-Trip Range test), and when plugged into a 350-kW charger, the 800-volt Ioniq 5 can recharge from 5 to 80 percent in as little as 22 minutes. Even better? Ioniq 5s (and 6s) can now charge at ubiquitous Tesla Supercharger stations. Honorable mention: Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y; although neither charges anywhere near as quickly as the Hyundais, Teslas make EV-life easy. Porsche Taycan We were mighty close to recommending the Lucid Air with its EPA-rated 420 miles of range , but the updated-for-2025 Taycan is just too much fun to drive to leave out. Few cars—let alone EVs—master the delicate balance of outright driver enjoyment, grand touring comfort, and efficiency as the entire Taycan lineup does from top to bottom. The best part? There's no car on the market that charges quicker than the Taycan; plugged into a 350-kW charger, 2025 Taycans have charged from 5 to 80 percent in as little as 19 minutes, helping make the most of its 318 miles of EPA-rated range.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store