The Sun Sets on the Solar Yellow Xterra
Similar to a British Racing Green Jaguar or a Red Chevrolet Corvette, the Solar Yellow Nissan Xterra is a unique color which distinguishes the Xterra from most SUVs. However, after being to numerous automotive shows over the recent years, I have noticed that as of 2009, Nissan has decided to discontinue Solar Yellow as a color option for the Xterras. As an owner of a 2000 Solar Yellow Nissan Xterra, I was quite disappointed to find out this decision. At first, my thoughts were that Nissan chose not to display this color in brochures, as it isn’t the most popular color among the Grey, White, and Red Xterras. However, after some observation and researching the Edmunds.com website, it appears that 2008 was the last year which Solar Yellow was an option. Not only is this color unique to the vehicle, but the Xterra is one of the few vehicles that looks acceptable in yellow. Also, rumor on Xterra forums is that Nissan is considering discontinuing the Xterra in red. What do our readers think? Was it a poor choice for Nissan to discontinue the Xterra in Solar Yellow, or was it one of their best decisions?
The last year of Solar Yellow is actually 2009, which is the first “facelifted” second-generation Xterra model (the color has been available since the 2000 model year); in my opinion the new silver grille doesn’t look great with the yellow (see the 2009 brochure, it’s right on the cover). And the rumors of red being discontinued are partly false; there are in fact two different reds (Lava Red and Cayenne Red) being offered for the 2013 model year. Red Brawn, however, has been discontinued. Additionally, the 2012 lineup features Lava Red and Brick Red.
Historically, the Xterra has always been available in neutral colors (Super Black, Night Armor, Brilliant Silver or Silver Lightning, and Avalanche (white)) and at least one shade of red (usually Red Brawn) in large quantities; these are Nissan’s brand colors, as evidenced in their dealerships and commercials, and all contemporary Nissan vehicles are virtually guaranteed to be available in some variation of those colors.
“Limited” colors were made available in , naturally, limited quantities, often only on certain trims within a model year. Solar Yellow was relatively common across the pre-2009 model years; other rarer colors include Granite, Canteen Green, Metallic Green (only available for one model year!), and Midnight Blue, not to mention the rare first-generation colors like Solar Orange, which is still considered one of the best Xterra colors of all time.
Part of the rationale for the limited production is that neutral colors never go out of style (or so says marketing), which is why the majority of new cars being offered by any manufacturer feature those colors. 2011 was arguably the brightest-colored Xterra lineup of all time, with the new Metallic Blue, Green Metallic, and Lava Red on top of the usual Super Black, Brilliant Silver, Avalanche, and Night Armor.
The 2013 Xterra is the second update to the second-generation design, mainly featuring a new backup camera and associated electronics, and it is suggested to be the final production year of the second-generation Xterra; it will be offered in two different reds, as described above, as well as Metallic Blue and the usual assortment of neutral tones (Glacier White replacing Avalanche). Whether a third generation is coming or not remains to be seen, though insides sources suggest that one will be coming within the next few years.
Thank you for this reply! very informative. Be sure to check back for other articles!
-Matt