Every Nissan with Pop-up Headlights Ranked by Performance and Style
By Marcus Vance
Evaluating Nissan’s flip-up fleet requires weighing raw track capability alongside design courage. Five models stand out as the definitive expression of Nissan's retractable lighting era.
5. Nissan Pulsar EXA (N12 Generation, 1982, 1986)
The first-generation Pulsar EXA was Nissan’s opening salvo into front-wheel-drive coupe styling with retractable headlamps. Based on the modest Sunny/Pulsar platform, the N12 looked like a pocket-sized supercar. Sharp lines, upright glass, and square flip-up lids gave it undeniable charm.
Performance was modest. Japanese domestic variants received the 1.5-liter E15ET turbocharged four-cylinder, churning out roughly 115 horsepower. Export markets frequently received naturally aspirated variations with acceleration times crawling past 11 seconds to 60 mph. It lands in fifth position because its modest front-drive underpinnings and economy suspension could not match the visual promise of its exterior.
4. Nissan Pulsar NX / EXA (N13 Generation, 1986, 1990)
The redesigned N13 Pulsar NX turned modular design up to eleven. Styled at Nissan Design International in San Diego, this car offered interchangeable rear sections: a traditional coupe notchback or the wagon-like SportBak canopy. The front end featured low-slung, rectangular pop-ups flanked by diagonal taillight slits out back.
Equipped with the 1.8-liter CA18DE dual-overhead-cam engine producing 125 horsepower, the N13 drove with far more vigor than its predecessor. It weighed barely 2,300 pounds, delivering crisp steering and exceptional utility. It settles into fourth place due to its quirky front-wheel-drive architecture, which lacked the rear-driven dynamics demanded by purists.
3. Nissan Silvia / 200SX (S12 Generation, 1983, 1988)
The S12 generation bridged old-school boxy styling with modern rear-wheel-drive drifting capability. Known as the 200SX in North America and Silvia/Gazelle in Japan, this chassis abandoned the upright, fixed headlights of the S110 in favor of sleek, power-retractable units.
Under the hood, Nissan threw everything at the S12. Buyers could spec the naturally aspirated CA20E, the potent CA18DET, or the range-topping VG30E 3.0-liter V6 borrowed from the 300ZX. In Japan, the RS-X variant carried the fabled FJ20ET twin-cam turbo, generating up to 187 horsepower and establishing genuine motorsport credibility in world rallying. Its angular wedge styling and balanced 52/48 weight distribution earn it a solid third-place podium.
2. Nissan 300ZX (Z31 Generation, 1983, 1989)
The Z31 arrived as a radical technological departure from the classic S30 and S130 Fairlady Z cars. It introduced Japan's first mass-produced V6 engine, the VG30. To maintain a unified horizontal hood line, Nissan engineers developed a distinctive "semi-concealed" headlight mechanism: the lights sat recessed parallel to the hood, then popped up and backward slightly when engaged.
In 300ZX Turbo trim, the Z31 was a blistering grand tourer. The single-turbo VG30ET delivered 200 horsepower and 227 lb-ft of torque, propelling the wedge-nosed flagship from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Inside, digital gauge clusters, compass readouts, and body-sonic seats established peak 1980s Japanese tech luxury. It finishes second overall, narrowly missing top honors due to a softer, grand-touring suspension setup that favored cruising over tight technical corners.
1. Nissan 180SX / 240SX Hatchback (S13 Generation, 1989, 1998)
No pop-up Nissan matches the cultural longevity, dynamic balance, and proportional perfection of the S13 fastback. While the Japanese Silvia coupe received fixed projector headlights, the fastback 180SX retained retractable units to keep its low nose profile. North American dealers also sold this configuration as the 240SX hatchback and early coupe.
The platform was an immediate engineering triumph. Featuring a multi-link rear suspension, rear-wheel drive, and an ultra-rigid unibody, the S13 delivered tactile steering response. JDM 180SX models initially carried the CA18DET before transitioning to the legendary 2.0-liter SR20DET, producing 202 horsepower in factory trim. Later Type X editions delivered iconic aero styling, including an aggressive front bumper and rounded taillights. It remains the gold standard of Japanese retractable headlight sports cars.
Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.
