Here’s what to expect from Nissan’s mysterious new electric SUV

Nissan is set to unleash several new electric vehicles over the next few years. After we finally got our first look at the new LEAF, Nissan previewed a boxy-looking electric SUV that will be built in the US. What will it look like when it arrives? We might have a clue.

Nissan is launching another electric SUV in the US

Earlier this week, Nissan gave us a sneak peek at the upcoming models we can expect to see over the next few years.

Although the new LEAF, which is now a crossover (and improved in nearly every way), stole the show, Nissan said another EV would join it in the US and Canada.

Nissan calls it an “adventure-focused” electric SUV. It will be built at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant. No other details were offered, but a preview of the rugged electric SUV hints at a few possibilities.

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Right off the bat, you can see this is no Tesla Model Y. The off-road-focused electric SUV features a more boxy, rugged design reminiscent of the Xterra, which Nissan discontinued in the US after the 2015 model year. Will it live on as an EV?

It’s hard to tell, but from what’s shown, the SUV looks slightly smaller than the fourth-gen Rogue and Pathfinder sitting next to it.

Nissan hasn’t had a true off-roader since. With EV powertrains offering more power and instant torque, an electric Nissan Xterra would make sense.

Not to mention that Nissan filed a new trademark for the Xterra name in the US on December 23, 2024. The electric SUV was previewed alongside the new LEAF, Sentra, Pathfinder, and fourth-gen Rogue.

Will Nissan’s electric SUV rival the Hyundai Santa Fe? Or more importantly, can it compete with the upcoming Volkswagen Scout brand and Rivian’s R3X (shown below)? As for pricing and specs, we’ll have to wait until closer to launch.

Nissan will begin building the new model in Canton in late 2027. In 2028, it will be joined by a luxury Infiniti electric SUV inspired by the Vision QXe concept.

This year, Nissan is launching the new LEAF, joining the Ariya SUV in its EV lineup. It will also introduce the Rogue PHEV, its first plug-in hybrid in North America.