2009 Nissan Cube: Weird, but so are the xB/Element
Is the Nissan Cube weird? Yeah, but so were the xB and Element when they first hit showrooms, and both are selling well enough to justify Nissan's interest in the "$17,000 Box-on-Wheels" market.
The model I just briefly drove was a 2007, Japanese-market version, so it doesn't exactly represent the one we'll see at Nissan dealers in 2009 (unless they are going to make them all right-hand drive with no radio). Still, I got to experience the basic design philosophy behind the Cube, which like the xB and Element is essentially "maximum interior space packed into minimal exterior space." This meant the Cube was easy to park, but hard for my 6-foot-frame to get comfy in. The 1.4-liter, 80-horsepower engine moved the car with enough authority to please the target crowd, which should theoretically care more about fuel mileage anyway, right?
This styling is downright bizarre, with an asymetrical rear window and one blacked-out/one body-colored A-pillar. As I said, legroom was tight for me, even with the seat all-the-way back. I'm betting the American version will take our average body size into acocunt when it comes to seating arrangements. Other elements, like seat comfort and interior material quality were quite strong.
If gas prices keep going up we could see car sizes going down. And at $4-a-gallon it's possible fuel mileage will trump weird every time.
It looks like a 1950's refrigerator. I mean that in the worst way possible.
its like the xb, only smaller. And even less "COOL" looking.
Don't care for the slab-sided shape with radius-corners on the windows and grill. Reminds me of my uncle's 1960s International Harvester Scout II.
I think we are headed into a dark chapter in the history of the automobile when design can be accomplished with only a T-Square.
I think the styling is cool! It looks too much like the Scion, but then a box can have only one look.
This is a joke, right? Enough with the upright boxes already, can anyone design a sleek minicar with good mileage? The scion, element, and this thing are hideous:(
For some reason I've always liked the Cube more than the xB. But the Element is still king to me.
uhh......I like it. I'd never buy it, but as these things go.....I like it.
I'm also a fan of the Element; how many dissatisfied Element owners do you know? The one downer for me for seriously cosidering one is the mileage - AWD w/5spd really isn't impressive - I do the same or better with my V6 4wd Frontier.
I found the perfect picture -- it really does look like a "modernized" IH Scout!
http://scoutparts.com/gallery/images/court_green.jpg
Asymetrical is fantastic!
I like it.
That color only helps to make it look older in design. (think 1950) I love the idea of product diversity, but i don't think i would even buy one.
Don't like any of the BOX's ... but I guess like in the fashion world everything is a Circle!
good call, alpha......I looked at a used one years ago, similar to the one you linked to. It had a 304 V8 and a 3 or 4spd on the floor, it was dinged, dented, spray bombed a flat pumpkin color and had an olive drab interior......still kind of wished I bought it.
"The scion, element, and this thing are hideous:("
Add the Mini and it's Benny the Cab dashboard to the list.
They may be fine autos to drive, but the looks are truly hideous.
Having spent sometime in Japan, I've come to appreciate these little cubes vehicles. Actually, in Japan there are even smaller and stranger vans and pickups used commercially. The vans look like little loafs of bread. But they offer great gas mileage and some even have AWD. Granted, they are an acquired taste, but when you factor in the practical space the offer + small footprint (needed in Japanese cites) + the advantages of excellent gas mileage, they make a lot of sense.
I think they are a good product to have available in the US.
agreed......I'd rather drive this than a SMART.
haven't the Cube cars been around for awhile? I seem to remember seeing them in Nissan's concepts from the 1990's.
I agree, better than the SMART. Actually I've seen the SMART on the 134fwy in socal during the commute... I would call it the DEATHWISH. the woman driving it looked like she was holding her breath merging into traffic. I would be taking surface streets home if I were punished to that vehicle.
Although I like the Nissan Cube more than the Scion xB (known as Toyota bB in Japan), it holds nothing against the 1989 Nissan S-Cargo that I imported into Canada for myself.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54582030@N00/sets/72157602732482437/
Car manufacturers, especially U.S. manufacturers, are bragging about cars getting 32-34 MPG in their small cars today... Obviously they have not progressed much considering my 1989 Nissan S-Cargo with a 1.5-litre carbureted engine was getting 32 MPG in the city.