- The Nissan Xterra will return in the form of two fresh SEMA builds for the 2025 show.
- Both off-road-focused concepts have approval from Nissan and its Nismo division.
- They combine parts from various newer Nissan models, enhanced with off-road gear.
At a time when every automaker is busy reviving heritage nameplates like the Bronco and Land Cruiser to tap into the growing demand for rugged off-roaders, Nissan has been noticeably quiet. In fact, the brand has been dealing with everything from financial headaches to stalled merger talks, all while promising a future lineup reset. But among the oddest omissions in its recent history? The disappearance of the Xterra since 2015.
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More: Could This Mystery Nissan SUV Be The New Electric Xterra?
The good news is that Nissan’s long-term product roadmap includes an SUV with squared-off looks for 2027 that could loosely pick up where the off-road-focused Xterra left off, even though it might not carry the same name. The bad news for purists is that it’ll be electric. But before that happens, fans are getting a little something to chew on in the form of two speculative SEMA concepts that imagine what a traditional, gas-powered 2026 Xterra could look like.
A Throwback with a Twist
Illustrations Carscoops
We first told you about the Nissan Project X build a few months ago. It’s a passion project dreamed up by Nick Raymond Scherr, a video creator and die-hard Nissan enthusiast who works at Avondale Nissan in Arizona. When he’s not helping fans get their hands on new Zs without the dealer markups, he’s been pouring his free time into a long-running dream: a modern interpretation of the Xterra for 2026.
While Nissan and Nismo aren’t directly involved in the design or development of the two Project X builds, they’re aware of the project. Following a teaser earlier this year, Carscoops has obtained exclusive info and created sketch renders of one of the concepts, offering a clearer glimpse of what’s to come.
Mix-and-Match DNA
Illustrations Carscoops
These Xterra concepts aren’t simple restorations—they’re full-on mashups of Nissan’s off-road heritage. Donor parts include elements from the second-gen Xterra (2005–2015), third-gen Pathfinder (2005–2012), and the current Frontier (2022–present). The sketches show a burly SUV fitted with Frontier-style headlights, grille, and taillights for a more updated appearance. The main body takes after the Xterra, while side proportions borrow cues from the older Pathfinder.
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Staying true to the tradition of SEMA builds, the SUVs will be enhanced with roof racks, off-road bumpers, rock rails, and tire carriers. Both studies will also feature modernized interiors with the latest technology, with one having a standard two-row setup and the other a three-row seating layout.
In true SEMA fashion, both builds will feature the expected kit: roof racks, off-road bumpers, rock sliders, and swing-out tire carriers. Inside, things get a modern overhaul with current tech and creature comforts. One version will come with a traditional two-row configuration, while the other will stretch to fit three rows.
Power, Presence, and Plenty of Grit
Illustrations Carscoops
Both builds will ride on a proper ladder-frame chassis and come equipped with 4WD. Expect contemporary off-road tech and some Nismo hardware sprinkled in for good measure. As for what’s under the hood, here’s where things get interesting. One version will pack Nissan’s 3.8-liter V6, while the other will go all-out with a rumbling V8, which should provide plenty of drama and presence.
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Scherr, who is also known as ‘Nismo Nick’, will be documenting the build process on his Instagram page, where fans can follow along as the project takes shape. And while these may be fan-built concepts, they’ve received official support from Nissan North America and Nismo, lending some extra legitimacy to the whole thing.
We’ll update this story as more details come to light ahead of the SEMA reveal later this year.
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