Another One Bites The Dust: Nissan’s Xterra Ends Production After 2015


Another One Bites The Dust: Nissan’s Xterra Ends Production After 2015

In a move that really should surprise nobody, Nissan is killing off the Xterra SUV at the end of this year, citing slow sales. This, along with the death of Toyota’s FJ Cruiser, means that unless the rumors of GMC bringing a Hummer-inspired SUV to fruition come true, the Jeep Wrangler will be the the only option for a small SUV that is genuinely trail-worthy and can fit more than two people comfortably inside.

Nissan-Xterra-14

The Xterra debuted in 1999 as a model-year 2000 SUV, based off of the Frontier pickup and marketed as a off-road capable SUV aimed at the active crowd. The bump in the tailgate, an Xterra trademark, was for a first-aid kit. The styling was debated in reviews: some praised the honest reflection of it’s truck-based roots while others made cracks about it being too macho (this was the early 2000s, after all.) The aftermarket responded well to the Xterra, and it’s earned a reputation as a solid off-roader that can go and do with modifications and as Brian’s Pathfinder video showed, Nissans can take a solid beating, and the Xterra is no exception to that rule. There’s no word yet on if the Rogue or Pathfinder will be toughened up to fill the Xterra’s niche, but from where we sit right now, don’t hold your breath.

xterra yellow


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2 thoughts on “Another One Bites The Dust: Nissan’s Xterra Ends Production After 2015

  1. mooseface

    X-Terras were pretty cool cars. My old Scoutmaster had one, and it was a pretty nice honestly functional rig. It’s a shame to see it go, but that’s how the market goes.

    Point of interest, though: The 4Runner is still in production and going strong. As far as any arguments go, it’s still a capable 4×4 and its chief designer said in an interview with Toyota Trails that it’s actually more capable than the 200-series Cruiser.

  2. Faisal

    Unfortunately – I was planning to buy Xterra 2016. I have talked to many owners of this type of a car and all said they are happy with it, with its toughness and performance. I don’t like it to disappear.

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