Nissan will reportedly drop the Xterra SUV from its US lineup after the 2015 model year.
The decision is due to regulatory reasons, according to a report from Edmunds. More specifically, to keep the Xterra on the market, Nissan would have had to invest in upgrading safety and emissions equipment. In the end, the Japanese automaker decided to stop selling the Xterra, as its customer base isn’t large enough to justify the needed investments.
The Xterra is not the first Jeep Wrangler competitor that bites the dust, with Toyota also announcing the discontinuation of the FJ Cruiser at the end of the 2014 model year.
US sales of the Xterra fell 7 percent in 2014 compared to the previous year to 16,505 units. The body-on-frame, truck-based SUV faces is capable off-road but faces increasing competition from car-based crossovers which are significantly more fuel-efficient and more fun to drive.
Powered by a 261hp 4.0-liter V6 engine, the Nissan Xterra sips a lot of fuel, with the EPA rating the 2WD model at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The 4WD model fares even worse, returning 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
For the 2015 model year, the Xterra has gained a new SolarFlare Yellow exterior color and fresh equipment for the S grade, including a NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps and a 5.0-inch color audio display.
PHOTOS
