Nissan Prairie (M10). 1982–8 (prod. n/a). 5-door MPV. F/F, F/A, 1487, 1809, 1974 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). Ground-breaking small MPV, beating Renault Espace I and Dodge Caravan (1984–90) to the market. European-influenced design, rumoured to have been inspired by ItalDesign (as was the Nissan March (K10)) and its Lancia MegaGamma show car. Tall, efficient “one-and-a-half-box” design, making Prairie exceptionally roomy. Very flexible interior for the time. Long wheelbase, but footprint of the contemporary Nissan Stanza (T11), on which it was based. Suspect handling with the removal of the B-pillar, though it made for an appealing entry with the doors open (the rear doors slid back). Mid-term facelift in 1985, with four-wheel-drive model later that year.

Manufacturing location: Shōnan, Kanagawa, Japan

Marque: Nissan | Model: Nissan Prairie | Successor: Nissan Prairie (M11)