Body style: Van
Segment: Small MPV
Production years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Nissan tried to improve its ability to build minivans and introduced the Praire in 1989 as a true contender in the small MPV segment.
In the U.S., the Praire was sold under the Axxess name, and that was an unfortunate name for a car that shouldn't ax anyone. Moreover, despite using the same platform as the Nissan Bluebird, it just didn't match the American customers' needs for a family MPV.
The proportions were right on the Praire. Its design started with a raked front fascia extended up to the roof in an almost continuous line that united the hood and the windshield. The side proportions were also adequate, with the door panels sharing about the same area as the large windows. Moreover, thanks to the standard rear sliding doors, the ingress and egress from the car were very easy. Behind them, the last row of windows was short, while the tailgate was almost vertical. The Praire/Axxess didn't have a problem with the proportions, but its size; it was too small.
Nissan placed high-mounted bucket seats at the front and a folding rear bench inside. The tall driving position was appreciated by customers, but the rear passengers were not quite happy with the legroom. They expected more from a minivan. However, in Europe, the vehicle's size was suitable for roaming inside cities.
But Nissan had a difficult task in installing the appropriate engine under the hood. In the U.S., it offered the car with a 2.4-liter four-pot paired to an automatic transmission, while in Europe and Canada, the MPV was also offered with a row-your-own gearbox and a 2.0-liter powerplant.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT (98 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1974 cm3 |
Power: | 72 KW @ 5200 RPM 98 HP @ 5200 RPM 97 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 111 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 150 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 106 mph (171 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 171.7 in (4361 mm) |
Width: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Height: | 64.2 in (1631 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.5/56.3 in (1,461/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102.8 in (2611 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.5 in (165 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.1 cuFT (371 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2755.8 lbs (1250 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4122.6 lbs (1870 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 224 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.4L 5MT (133 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2389 cm3 |
Power: | 98 KW @ 5600 RPM 133 HP @ 5600 RPM 131 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 142 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM 193 Nm @ 2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/65R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 171.7 in (4361 mm) |
Width: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Height: | 64.2 in (1631 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.5/56.3 in (1,461/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102.8 in (2611 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.5 in (165 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.1 cuFT (371 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2866 lbs (1300 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4122.6 lbs (1870 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.8 mpg US (11.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 235 g/km |