The automotive market in recent years has seen the rise of unibody crossover models like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, thanks to their smooth ride, fuel efficiency, and reasonable price. However, body-on-frame SUVs still hold a special place in the hearts of off-road enthusiasts due to their superior off-road capabilities, towing capacity, and durability.
In response to the growing demand from adventurous customers, many major automakers are planning to revive once-popular body-on-frame SUVs or develop entirely new models.
Mitsubishi is betting on the "legendary" Pajero.
After years of absence from iconic models and a significant decline in the brand's product line since its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, Mitsubishi recently surprised everyone by confirming that the Pajero will make a full comeback by the end of 2026.
This is one of Japan's most famous SUV lines, boasting 12 victories in the grueling Dakar Rally. Mitsubishi says the new generation Pajero will share a platform with the Triton pickup truck, continuing its commitment to a body-on-frame chassis structure to enhance off-road capability.
Experts believe that the new generation Mitsubishi Pajero could become a strategic asset helping the Japanese automaker regain its brand image after years of focusing on mainstream crossover models.
In the pickup truck segment, the current Mitsubishi Triton is not sold in North America, but the company plans to return to the US mid-size pickup truck market with a new model based on the next generation of the Nissan Frontier.
Toyota expands the Land Cruiser family.
Toyota has long been one of the automakers with the most extensive lineup of body-on-frame SUVs, including the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Sequoia. Each model has its own market and loyal fan base, but the company has recently continued to draw public attention with the launch of a completely new body-on-frame SUV called the Land Cruiser FJ.
This new SUV is the smallest in the Land Cruiser family, targeting customers who want a more affordable off-road vehicle while still retaining the classic boxy styling and familiar body-on-frame chassis design.
Technically, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ uses only a 2.7L naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with four-wheel drive. While not as powerful as the turbocharged or hybrid versions sold in the US, this simple configuration is highly regarded for its durability and ease of maintenance.
Due to its small size, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ was not sold in the US. However, many people expect this model to replicate the success of the FJ Cruiser that was sold in the US in 2004 and become an icon in the off-road vehicle community.
Nissan and Infiniti are back on track.
Nissan is one of the most ambitious manufacturers, planning to launch five new body-on-frame models in the US under both the Nissan and Infiniti brands. All will feature V6 or V6 hybrid engines.
According to the manufacturer, one of these models will be a new version of the Nissan Pathfinder, bringing the SUV back to a traditional body-on-frame chassis and potentially being sold alongside the current unibody crossover version.
Most notably, the Nissan Xterra is expected to be revived. This SUV, which was very popular in the 1990s and 2000s and was discontinued in 2015, is now back in production. Nissan has confirmed that the Xterra is expected to reappear by the end of 2028 with a modern design while retaining its traditional off-road spirit.
Along with the new SUV models, the next-generation version of the Nissan Frontier mid-size pickup truck is also expected to use this new platform. Meanwhile, Infiniti is likely to develop higher-end variants based on the shared platform of the next-generation Pathfinder and Xterra.
Hyundai is developing its first body-on-frame SUV.
Unlike Toyota, Hyundai doesn't have a long history of manufacturing body-on-frame SUVs. To date, the most durable vehicle Hyundai has ever produced is probably the Santa Cruz pickup truck with a unibody chassis. However, the South Korean automaker is preparing to enter this market with a completely new body-on-frame platform currently under development.
At the 2026 New York Auto Show in April, Hyundai unveiled a concept called Boulder, revealing the direction the company is heading. According to plan, Hyundai's first dedicated body-on-frame platform will be designed and manufactured in the United States.
The first vehicle built on this new platform will be a mid-size pickup truck expected to appear in 2030. For now, Hyundai claims the Boulder Concept is just a design concept, but experts believe it's a rugged off-road SUV aimed at directly competing with models like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner.
( Compiled from Motor1, Drive, and Slashgear)
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