2010 Nissan Cube
by Jim Prueter and Rebecca Antioco - 03/2010
(This 2009 review has been updated to cover model year 2010)

Good things come in a small box

Nissan’s quirky looking and aptly named Cube might just be the weirdest looking car to grace American roads since Pontiac Aztek or the AMC Pacer. But unlike those eyesores, the Cube is oddly appealing in its ugliness. This aerodynamic anomaly has been nothing short of a smash hit in Japan, where it was originally introduced in 1998.

Aimed at the Gen Y, Echo Boomer, Millennial or whatever you call the almost-ready-to-buy-my-first-car set born between 1980 and 1990, the vehicle’s official name is the Cube Mobile Device, which makes it sound more like the latest cell phone or MP3 player than a car.

But, we’re guessing Nissan “gets it” in the same way Toyota got it with the Scion xB, Apple with the iPod and iPhone, Nintendo with the Wii and everyone wearing sandals to the senior prom.

It is available in three trim levels — 1.8, 1.8 S and 1.8 SL — all powered by the same 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. The bottom two trims come equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and the SL features Nissan’s new Xtronic continuously variable transmission (optional on the S). For 2010, the S model is also available in a Krom Edition, which adds extra styling cues like aluminum alloy wheels, distinctive fascias and body sills, an upgraded Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and amplifier and audio system, black/gray seat cloth and the 20-color interior accent lighting available in other models as part of the Ginormous package.

During our test drive in the Cube, heads turned, but not because anyone was captivated by its good looks. Certainly not in the same sense as when we tested the Audi R8 or Aston Martin Vantage, when people literally chased us down, cell phones out the window snapping pictures and shouting choruses of “beautiful car, man.”

But the Cube wasn’t meant to be beautiful, rather it was meant to resonate with the Echo Boomers who value function and unique aesthetics. And, to that end, the Cube scores high marks with cool options like the Interior Designer package ($230) that adds detachable bungees (in red, orange, yellow and gray) that hook into the inside of the front doors to hold things like iPods, maps, nametags, photos and other loose items, and an inexplicable plate-sized piece of shag carpet that attaches to the dash with a piece of Velcro. I suppose it’s a place to park your sunglasses when you get out of the car, because it doesn’t secure anything while you’re driving.

The aforementioned Ginormous package includes cool touches like the 20-color mood lighting that illuminates the foot wells, cup holders, stainless steel kick plates, a custom grille and other accents. But, all that panache comes with a hefty (you might even say “ginormous”) sticker price of $2550.

Our SL also came with the Preferred package ($1600), which added Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start, an upgraded audio system with USB connectivity for an iPod or other MP3 device, rear-view monitor and XM Satellite Radio.

We liked the unexpected touches like the lighted “Cube” on the doorsills and the rock-in-the-pond ripple effect of the headliner. The same look is repeated on the

speakers, bottom of the cup holders and exterior trim behind the rear doors. Also distinctive is the wrap-around rear window replacing the passenger-side rear pillar. The big rear door opens refrigerator style, which could be a hindrance, as it requires some clearance behind the vehicle to open.

Interior room is deceptively large. I’m 6-foot-6 and could have worn a top hat and still not interfered with the headliner. The windshield seems a bit too far away, especially when you’re reaching to pull down the sun visor (which also seems to cover half the window). The back seat is designed like a sofa and slides fore and aft. Reclining seat backs fold forward (but not flat) for ample cargo space (56 cubic feet), with a deep well behind the seat. The curving dash has the best execution of hard plastic we’ve seen in any vehicle at any price. The vehicle’s tall stance also makes entry and exit exceptionally simple; you just walk right in and sit down.

On the road, the engine performance reminds you that this is an economy car, yet accelerator response is adequate and getting up to expressway speeds isn’t a white-knuckle experience. Still, a few more ponies under the hood would be welcome. Brakes are strong, steering on the light side, ride quality comfortable and visibility decent. A very tight turn radius makes parking a snap.

On a very windy commute the boxy design fought a losing battle with the airflow; the Cube rocked like a tanker on the North Sea. Wind shears buffeted the Cube, slapping it around with each gust. Thankfully, the roads were dry and not icy or snow-covered. Thoughtfully, Nissan includes stability control as standard equipment in the base price.

Other standard safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag system, seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side-impact air bags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear-seat occupant head protection. Cube also includes standard front-seat active head restraints, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. It was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning their highest rating, “Good,” in all crash tests.

While Cube will grab the attention of youthful drivers, Nissan officials expect older consumers will take to them as well, as they did with Scion xB and Honda Element.

With Cube, Nissan joins xB and the Kia Soul in the growing segment of affordable and innovatively styled boxy vehicles. Cube has excellent bang-for-the-buck value and a coolness factor that should appeal to the target demographic. We like what Nissan has done here, offering a distinctive design spirit, clever styling and surprising functionality — all at a bargain price.