New Nissan Xterra May Be On The Way After Trademark Filing [Update]

Nissan enthusiasts – if there are any left – it may be time to rejoice. A new application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office back in December shows the company may see a future for the Xterra stateside. It would be a triumphant return after the off-roading SUV was discontinued back in 2015.

The application requests a trademark for use on “Motor vehicles, namely, automobiles, sport utility vehicles and structural parts therefor.” This isn’t a trademark for any particular lettering style, though. The application is literally just for the word “Xterra” – which was very stylized on previous SUVs. It says the trademark for the name Xterra is in “standard characters, without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.” The application also cites two previously approved Xterra trademarks – the most recent being one from 2003.

It wouldn’t exactly be unprecedented if the Xterra made its grand return to the U.S. I mean, off-road capable SUVs are so hot right now between the Toyota Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, among others. The Xterra made a huge name for itself in this space during its two generations between 2000 and 2015, and it was killed off just in time to miss the renaissance of these types of vehicles.

As Road & Track points out, the Xterra is actually already back in the Middle East, and it has been since the 2021 model year. It’s based on the Chinese-market Nissan Terra, which can trace its roots to the Nissan Navara pickup (notably different from the North American-specific Frontier).

Right now, it’s anyone’s guess as to what Xterra – if any – actually hits our shores. I, for one, would certainly love to see a basic-ish off-road-focused SUV based on the Frontier – a truck I very much like. If I have one hope for this SUV, it’s that it doesn’t come back as some watered-down soft-roader. That would really bum me out, man.

Updated Friday, January 3, 2025, at 12:05 p.m. EST: Jalopnik received this message from a Nissan spokesperson when asked about the potential of a new Xterra in the U.S.:

We do not comment on future product plans. Thank you for your interest and understanding.