2005 Nissan Zaroot Concept

The 2005 Nissan Zaroot Concept traces its origins back to Nissan’s 2001 Nails pickup, a two-seater designed as a playful “means of communication with friends” and created by Nissan’s Tokyo-based Creative Box studio. While the Nails was a niche vehicle, it hinted at Nissan’s interest in fresh, youth-oriented urban designs.

By 2005, Nissan returned to this creative vein with the Zaroot, a compact SUV concept showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. The name “Zaroot” likely blends “root” and “route,” symbolizing Nissan’s respect for its heritage and its forward-looking ambitions. The car’s cubic styling reflects Nissan’s contemporary design language, featuring chopped rear shapes, a broken roofline, and futuristic vertical headlights. Although it’s classified as an SUV, the Zaroot’s sporty two-door profile resembles more of a coupe.

One of the concept’s most striking features is its doors, which hinge at the top and, when opened, automatically lower a step to create a large entryway — inviting passengers not just to enter, but to "drive in." The interior is rich with aluminum and bold, exotic colors, embracing modern concept aesthetics.

No technical details were revealed, as the Zaroot was still far from production readiness. However, built on the Altima platform, the concept hinted at the possibility of influencing future models, perhaps evolving into the next generation of the Nissan X-Trail.