Is This Proof The Nissan Xterra May Be Back After All?

This is the year of the truck for Nissan, and as such, the automaker has committed to releasing an army of new crossovers, SUVs, and pick up trucks. For those wondering why, it's not that the automaker has suddenly fallen in love with trucks. It's because Nissan's truck lineup was so badly aged that it was in danger of becoming completely irrelevant. Now, our spy photographers have evidence that the automaker is serious about its commitment with what appears to be a new SUV based off of the Navara platform.

For those unfamiliar with the Navara, it's essentially a less luxurious version of the Nissan Frontier for the global market, although the Navara was redesigned in 2014 while the Frontier continues to age. Previously, we spied a Navara-based SUV out testing, although its squared off rear end suggested that it did not have its final production body yet. This Navara-based SUV appears to be more rounded off in the back, meaning that it now has a proper SUV back end. We're happy to see that it also doesn't look to have any crossover characteristics. Those with better memories may be able to recall that we caught wind about the potential for the re-release of the Nissan Xterra during the release of the new Titan.

Given that the old Xterra was based on the bones of the Frontier, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think that this new SUV is the Xterra in the flesh. However, there is also some evidence contradicting that claim. That's because the Navara or any variation of it was never intended to make it to the US. Instead, Nissan wants a more refined version of that platform to be sold in the US, and we'd expect an Xterra revival to be based off of that. This SUV could be making its way to Europe and the rest of the world to be sold alongside the Navara while we endure the older Frontier just a but longer. Expect 5-7 seat variations of the SUV to see the light of day in 2017, but don't hold your breath for a US reveal just yet.