Pick of the Day: 1995 Nissan Rasheen, a compact SUV for the JDM fan

The right-hand-drive truckette with 4-wheel drive is rarely seen in the US

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The Rasheen rides on custom wheels and has a loaded basket rack on its roof

While a JDM might not be on everybody’s collector car shopping list, there is a growing contingent of enthusiasts (mostly younger) who are enthralled by Japanese domestic market vehicles, the quirkier the better.

The Pick of the Day would be a rare find for any JDM fan, a 1995 Nissan Rasheen, of which most folk in the US probably have never encountered.  The pint-size SUV is both stylish and apparently off-road capable, equipped with 4-wheel drive.  Although, it’s more-likely usability is that of a head-turning urban cruiser.

“While the US had large vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Japanese market took that as inspiration for the compact segment,” according to the Orlando, Florida, dealer advertising the Rasheen on ClassicCars.com. “With a short wheelbase and compact dimensions, the Rasheen offered the vibe of a big off roader with the convenience of being city capable as well.”

Nissan defines Rasheen with this slogan emblazed in fractured English on the spare-tire cover: “4WD with the feeling of nature and the sense of urban, having a wide range of activities as daily space.”

Being a JDM, the Rasheen has its steering wheel on the right-hand side, which is something that the Japanese car crowd considers a point of pride.  The engine is a 1.5-liter inline-4 linked with a 5-speed manual transmission, and the SUV is fully equipped with such features as power windows, power sunroof, power brakes, power steering, air conditioning and AM/FM Bluetooth audio.

“Take a look at the interior and you’ll appreciate the playful plaid upholstery and also be comforted by the upgraded and modernized head unit and sound system,” the seller says.

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Playful is an appropriate word to describe the vibe of the Rasheen, because this little craft has fun times written all over it.  The ‘90s styling is attractively rendered, and the addition of the driving lights and roof rack make it look even more interesting. And it would indeed be a star attraction at any gathering of Japanese vehicles.

“Sitting on XXR 15-inch wheels and featuring an overland-inspired roof rack, this Rasheen has a style all its own,” the seller adds. “If you’re looking for a JDM car that will attract crowds or simply get you around town in unique style, this is the one you want to own!”

The Rasheen looks to be in very good condition, and to get an idea of its size, consider those custom wheels that look oversized are just 15 inchers, though with major offset.

The asking price is $33,000, obviously geared toward the dedicated JDM enthusiast who appreciates the unique style and rarity of a Rasheen. 

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.

1 COMMENT

  1. Dear Bob,

    Thabks for posting such a inspired blog. I’m writing you because of my enthousiasm for this Nissan Rasheen model. The car is setting on XXR 15-inch wheels. Do you also know the size of the tires?

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