Nissan Cancels Off-Road EV, Shifts to Gas/Hybrid
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- Nissan scrapped its off‑road electric SUV plan, the next‑gen Xterra, and will now offer gasoline‑ and hybrid‑powered variants of the fan‑favorite SUV.
- Nissan had slated the Xterra for a 2028 launch, to be built at its Canton, Mississippi plant with locally sourced batteries from SK On.
- Nissan announced a rollout of ten new or refreshed vehicles in North America by 2027, including the updated 2026 LEAF EV, Rouge, Pathfinder, and Sentra.
- Xterra was discontinued after the 2015 model year, losing market share to more efficient rivals such as the Honda CR‑V and Toyota RAV4.
- North America sees Nissan shift its lineup away from an adventure‑focused EV toward gasoline and hybrid models.
Why it matters: Nissan’s cancellation of the Xterra EV gives its gasoline‑engine division a new product line, while EV‑focused buyers lose a promised off‑road electric option. The move also marks a retreat from Nissan’s EV ambitions in the U.S., reshaping its North American lineup toward conventional powertrains.
