NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Nissan Xterra SUV will not be available in the U.S. after the 2015 model year, Edmunds has learned.

The Xterra, which competes against the Jeep Wrangler, is being discontinued for regulatory reasons. Nissan would have had to invest in upgraded safety and emissions equipment for what is a fairly limited audience.

Another key Xterra competitor, the Toyota FJ Cruiser, ended its production run at the end of the 2014 model year.

Nissan sold 16,505 Xterras in 2014, a decline of 7 percent compared to the previous year. The Xterra, with its body-on-frame, truck-based roots, faced a rising tide of car-based crossovers, including the Buick Encore, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

While boasting impressive off-road capability and a durable cabin, the Xterra is hampered by poor fuel economy and unrefined road manners. The EPA says the 2015 Xterra two-wheel-drive model returns 16 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway, while the four-wheel-drive model returns 15 mpg in city driving and 20 mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Xterra is on sale now at Nissan dealerships.

Modest upgrades for the 2015 model year include the addition of NissanConnect with Mobile Apps and a USB connection for iPod interface on the Xterra S, along with the addition of a new SolarFlare Yellow exterior color.

Edmunds says: Car shoppers who are searching for a trail-ready SUV may want to consider the Nissan Xterra before it rides off into the sunset.