Nissan Cube

Reading the name “Nissan Cube” for some reason gave me flashbacks of the Nintendo Game Cube, and with my first glance of this futuristic looking car I could see that my initial impression was not far from the mark. This vehicle truly looks like the product of an animator with the overall boxy look of the car, rounded windows and rather unique interior design.

No surprise that Nissan is primarily marketing the Cube to a younger generation of car buyers. Nissan is taking full advantage of the Internet to deliver its marketing pitch with a downloadable “Mobile Hub” where potential buyers can get information, music, wallpapers of their favorite model and even a multi-player application to play on their iPhone, allowing you to test drive your new Cube with up to 8 friends picking up items like ice, music, and friends on your way to a party.

Well, the Nissan Cubes marketing is innovative but is it worth the hype. The MSRP of 13,990 is likely a good start in getting the interest of first time new car buyers, putting the cube within the range of most people with a job (especially with a little help from Mom and Dad). As a parent, I was impressed with the six air bags that come standard with the car. The 1.8 liter engine should be plenty of power for this light vehicle without sacrificing fuel economy with an estimated 28 mpg city and 30 mpg on the highway.

No doubt though its what Nissan calls an “engaging asymmetrical exterior design” and it’s “socially oriented lounge-style interior” that is going to really get the interest of its intended market. One novel feature to the car is its wrap around back window, while giving the advantage of removing the blind spot usually associated with the rear column on the passenger side, it also gives a very unique appearance to the Cube. Rounded corners, rounded windows and a overall melted appearance finish off the look of the exterior.

Nissan Cube Krom Dash

Perhaps though it’s the interior that really makes this vehicle stand out. The Cube comes in four different trim packages the 1.8, 1.8 S, 1.8 SL, and the Krom. The Krom cames with a 20 color interior accent lighting feature that is sure to wow your friends and is topped off with aluminum trimmed pedals (O Yah, that was the one that convinced me!). The upgraded 6 speaker sound system with a built in woofer was a nice plus along with the Bluetooth hands free phone system. Of course these added features come with a price increase, to the affect of a little less than $6,000.

The “cube” design also gives a very roomy interior with a “spa tub-like curve” to the layout. Just that Nissan description should be enough attract the younger male audience. The seats were designed in a lounge sofa style with the diver seat boasting a 6 way manual adjustment and a 4 way manual front passenger seat. To increase the rear seat comfort the rear seat can recline, be adjusted to three positions and is positioned higher than the front seats giving an almost theater feel to the back seat and increasing visibility.

Cube Rear Window

The cube also comes with an impressive list of standard features, as mentioned above, six airbags, but also other features like standard front-seat active head restraints, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, and an anti-lock braking system. Driving safety is increased with “Vehicle Dynamic Control” with “Traction Control System”. Top with off with a tire pressure monitoring system to help those forgetful young minds to remember to put a little air in the tires once in a while and you come up with a vehicle that should deliver a good safety record.

While Nissan aspired to make the Cube more than a purely “youth car” it is obvious that the primary buyer will be of the younger more hip generation looking for a comfortable, unique and yes even practical vehicle.

Images complements of Nissan.