Nissan planning five new body-on-frame 4x4s, reports suggest

Nissan is reportedly developing five new body-on-frame SUVs and utes, including a revived Xterra and next-generation Frontier.

As reported by Automotive News (↗), the program is expected to span Nissan and Infiniti, with the Xterra, next-generation Frontier, a body-on-frame Pathfinder and two Infiniti SUVs reportedly making up the five-model family.

The Xterra is the first model to be confirmed, with Nissan targeting a late-2028 US launch. It will use the new body-on-frame platform and is expected to be offered with V6 and hybrid powertrains. The Xterra name was last used in 2015, and its return will put Nissan back into the rugged midsize SUV market alongside vehicles such as the Ford Bronco.

The next-generation Frontier is also expected to use the new platform, while reports indicate Nissan could offer a body-on-frame Pathfinder alongside the current unibody model. The two Infiniti SUVs would take the same architecture into the premium market.

For 4×4 buyers, the move would give Nissan a much larger range of truck-based SUVs and utes built around the same basic architecture. Nissan has not yet confirmed all five vehicles or provided a detailed rollout schedule, so the broader plan could still change. The Xterra, however, gives us the first look at what the new platform will bring. With the Xterra due from 2028, Nissan could soon have a much stronger presence in the increasingly competitive off-road SUV and ute market.

What does this mean for Australia?

For Australia, the big question is whether any of the new models will be adapted for right-hand drive. There is no confirmation of Australian availability at this stage, but a larger body-on-frame range would give Nissan more options in a market where capable 4×4 SUVs and utes remain hugely popular.