Back in the 1990s, the minivan was still the de facto choice for hauling larger families. But that was also the decade when SUVs gradually started to take over. Nissan had the foresight to spot a shift in customer preferences and invested in expanding its crossover lineup at the turn of the century.
However, at least for a moment, Nissan considered a different alternative to its Quest minivan. At the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, the Stylish 6 took the stage as a supersized wagon. Think of it as Japan’s take on big American wagons like the Ford Country Squire, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, or Buick Roadmaster Wagon.
We managed to get hold of the press release from nearly three decades ago and discovered Nissan aptly called it a “utility wagon.” But while most vehicles in this segment had a rear-facing third row, the Stylish 6 took a different approach. Unlike the Volvo V70 and Mercedes E-Class, Nissan didn’t want the rearmost seats to feel like an afterthought, so it oriented them forward.
Photo by: Nissan
Second-row swivel captain’s chairs leaned heavily into minivan territory. When you didn’t need the third row, the rearmost seats folded toward the sides of the vehicle to free up cargo capacity. Nissan wanted to offer minivan-like practicality while keeping the height closer to that of a sedan.
To keep kids occupied on longer trips, screens mounted in the front and second-row seats provided entertainment. Fold-out tables with built-in cup holders were another feature commonly associated with minivans, but here they appeared in a more car-like package, skipping the tall roof and sliding doors.
There were even more screens in front of the driver, where a split instrument cluster sat next to the infotainment display. The Stylish 6 hails from a time when automakers still used generous amounts of physical buttons, even as screens were beginning to make their way into interiors.
Nissan wanted to offer minivan-like practicality while keeping the height closer to that of a sedan.
Functionality was further emphasized by pop-up sections of the center console, providing access to cup holders and an ashtray. There was even a table that emerged from the passenger side of the wraparound dashboard. The intent was clear: a highly functional wagon as an alternative to minivans and SUVs.
Clean surfaces and a seven-slot grille defined the exterior styling. A strip of chrome running along the side and extending to the rear emphasized the two-tone body. Nissan made the most of the long roof by installing two large glass panels to complement an already generous greenhouse with large side windows and tailgate glass.
The concept’s name wasn’t written on the tailgate, as one might expect, but rather on the D-pillars on both sides. Nissan never released details about the vehicle’s length, although judging by the large rear doors and long overhangs, it likely approached 200 inches (over five meters).
We do know what was hiding behind the unusual slotted grille. The Stylish 6 was an early hybrid attempt, combining a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter V6 with an electric motor and a CVT. At the concept’s unveiling in Tokyo, where it shared the spotlight with the Trailrunner high-riding coupe, Nissan claimed “superior driving performance and environmental friendliness,” though it didn’t provide specifics.
A production version never followed, as Nissan instead focused on the Quest while expanding its SUV lineup. The Quest was eventually phased out in 2017, but the Elgrand minivan lives on. It recently transitioned to its fourth generation, following a preview of the production model with the edgy 2023 Hyper Tourer Concept. It’s not the only minivan in the company’s portfolio, as the smaller Serena remains available in Japan.
It’s highly unlikely Nissan will experiment with this sort of segment-blurring vehicle again anytime soon. A major cost-cutting plan is underway, involving 20,000 layoffs, seven factory closures, and the shutdown of two design studios. As a result, logic tells us that any new concepts must preview volume-oriented production models. Even one-off concept cars are extremely expensive to develop, so the money is better spent elsewhere.
In 2026, some brands still enjoy success with wagons, but they remain relatively popular only in Europe, where Nissan focuses primarily on crossovers and SUVs. It still sells the Micra as an electric hatchback, although the supermini is essentially a Renault 5 in disguise.
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Source: Nissan
