Nissan Cube: Something weird is coming
Nissan has been selling the aptly named Cube in Japan since 1998. But it's never sold it in the United States. Meanwhile the boxy Honda Element and Scion xB have gained avid followings here. In fact, the American-made Element isn't even available in Japan anymore, but it still sells well in the states.
After a thorough redesign, the Cube will finally come to our shores next year. Nissan has said that the version it sells here will still look like what it now sells in Japan.
A few days driving the current Japanese-market Cube around New York made it obvious why Nissan wants to make some changes before bringing it here. At the same time, it makes us wonder why Nissan didn't make these changes and bring the Cube here sooner.
Tiny and tall
Like the last-generation Scion xB, the Nissan Cube would look tiny if viewed from above. Side-to-side and front-to-back, it's only about as big as a Nissan Versa compact car.
Unlike the new American version of the Scion xB, the Cube won't get stretched into "the Rectangle" when it's redesigned, Nissan promises. The new version will be about the same size and shape. As Nissan puts it, this car is designed for a "Cube world."
Driving the box
For such a small box, the Cube feels voluminous inside. Still, front-seat space is a little tight for those of average height or greater. We assume the new version will feature a front seat that moves back a bit farther.
The Japanese Cube is powered by a 1.4-liter engine that produces a mere 90 horsepower. That was plenty of power to move the little car smartly in city traffic, where it's actually fun to drive. But entering highway traffic or going uphill, it felt strained. Clearly, more power will be needed for this market.
For what seemed like a bare-bones economy model, the Japanese Cube had a couple of surprisingly upscale features. The car was equipped with an electronic all-wheel-drive system called eAWD that shifted some power to the back wheels if the front lost traction.
It also had a keyless ignition system that allowed the car to be unlocked and started while the key stayed in the driver's pocket.
One-sided view
The most eye-catching part of the Cube's design is the strange wrap-around rear window that only wraps around one side. One thing it shows you clearly is that this car was not designed to be sold around world.
Visibility is good out the rear left corner, but on the right there's a huge blind spot. Well, there would be one if the driver's seat were on the left, as it would be in the United States.
With the driver's seat on the right, where it is in this Japanese-market car, it causes no problems. You can't look out that corner, anyway.
Nissan has promised that the redesigned Cube will maintain its odd-ball character. Since that funny back window is the Cube's most defining characteristic, it will be interesting to see if Nissan designers can make it work in an ambidextrous global vehicle.
Inside the box
For its U.S introduction, the Cube will probably get better back seats. The seats in the current-generation Cube fold down, but not up or out. Sure, there's plenty of space in there but loading big items would be easier if they could get out of the way.
The Cube will probably be priced at $12,000 to $15,000 when it gets here, according to Nissan. That's in line with its current price in Japan.
America's certainly ready for more fuel-efficient small cars with lots of functionality. Sales of small crossovers, for example, are way up. Another little box could be just what this country needs.
