Major Oddity: Nissan Rasheen
The Nissan X-Trail has been around for the best part of a decade and as such is quite a common sight on Britain’s roads. But there’s a little known predecessor to the X-Trail and I stumbled across one in the New Forest at the weekend. The car in question is the Nissan Rasheen and I have to say that it came as a bit of a shock. Primarily because I have no recollection of ever having seen one before; but also because, well let’s face it, the Rasheen is no looker.
I like the Nissan Cube. I admire the boxiness of it and the fact that Nissan went all out to…well…think outside the box. But the Rasheen just strikes me as being a strange combination of a Lada Niva with Wartburg headlights. But they couldn’t be bothered to put the headlights on the right way. It reminds me very much of the kind of generic 4×4 favoured by the likes of Playmobil. You could equally imagine Ken turning up outside Barbie’s house to take her on a date. Ken, mate, do yourself a favour and take the Corvette next time.
Prince Rasheen
Most 4x4s even tend to look rough and tough even if they’re not. But in the case of the Rasheen, it manages to portray all the robustness of a matchbox and all the ruggedness of Paris Hilton. In pink slippers.
Quite how many of these things exist in the UK is anyone’s guess. But with Nissan Sunny underpinnings, the longevity of the thing is called into question. The car’s Wikipedia entry actually likens, somewhat optimistically, the Rasheen to the Hummer. Really? To be honest, I’d rather take my chances with the Hummer when going into battle.
Nissan Rasheen cleans umpteen things clean
17 Comments
Maybe it’s because I learned to drive in a Lada 1500 estate but I really love that.
Possibly! It is certainly different, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Ahem! Its a bad thing!
But in general, being different isn’t always a bad thing. I point to the Box of Frogs as an example!
I also have a fondness for Wartburgs and Nivas. There’s some bloke importing Nivas to the UK in LHD again.
Recently saw one for sale on eBay. Robust little things!
Here is a link to the Lada Niva website. Cheap as chips and just as adorable.
Great. There aren’t many car websites that feature a Farmers Weekly test on the homepage.
I have to tell you that we moved to Tonga (in the South Pacific) and purchased a Rasheen, 14 years old but still a new car smell and in in pristine, 40,000 KM condition. We affectionately refer to it as our ‘Hummini’, as in person it does look like a Hummer crossed with a Mini.
For all of you who question the asthetic value of this little toughie, let me tell you that everyone on our obscure little island loves it. It is definitely cute, in a non-competitive, self-assured way. We love it. We have fun owning it. It’s a conversation piece, and reliable to boot.
Beat that.
Great defence of the Rasheen.
And I love your affectionate name for it! 😉
Я живу в России, в Сибири. Купил себе Rasheen.Даже в минус пятьдесят градусов мороза машина отлично работает!
My Russian isn’t great (read: I don’t know any Russian)…
But are you saying you live in Siberia and own a Nissan Rasheen?!
Да я живу в России, в самой холодной её части Сибири,в г Якутске. Купил эту машину год назад. Машине 15 лет,но она ещё бодро движется:)
Я к сожалению не говорю по Английски, а читаю Ваше сообщения через Google переводчик. Да я езжу на Nissan Rasheen Forza. Я очень люблю эту машину. Купил год назад. Я её 3-й владелец.Но машина в хорошем техническом состоянии.
The Rasheen was built by the same off-shoot as the Figaro, BE-1 and excellent Pao. They have a bit of a cult following in Japan and compared to a similarly aged Sunny etc, I think I’d happily put up with the ‘distinctive’ looks!
My Rasheen looks great driving around in Chelsea.
I love it.
I have just seen a Rasheen parked at a waterfall tourist site near Nagoya. Obviously well-looked after by a proud owner, its crisp and uncluttered lines are refreshing and timeless compared to many contemporary Japanese cars. Plus it was a trend-setter in the sports utility market. More than a cult car think it’s a unique and distinctive classic. I’m not so sure about or comfortable with the Hummer association though!