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2009 Nissan Cube Review

May 28, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Exterior is the kind of thing vacuous aesthetes go gaga for
Jalopnik

Pegs the needle on the geek-chic meter
Automobile Magazine

Jacuzzi lounge' interior layout means pronounced curvature in the front dashboard
Motor Trend

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com tend to compare the 2009 Nissan Cube to the Scion xB or Kia Soul, but the reality is that nothing really compares to the funky, rounded-box styling of the new Nissan Cube. For Nissan, 2009 marks the first time that the Nissan Cube will be available in the United States, although the first two generations have been sold in Japan for quite some time.

Let's get this out of the way—the Nissan Cube is not for everyone. Many people will fail to find the appeal in its wholly unorthodox styling, but Nissan is hoping that those in their 20s and 30s will take to the look. Unlike the previous-generation, Japanese-exclusive Nissan Cubes, the new 2009 Nissan Cube "attempts to soften the square edges, boosting both the design appeal and interior space," reports Jalopnik. ConsumerGuide says the 2009 Nissan Cube is "a subcompact 4-door hatchback" that "comes in three trim levels: base 1.8, mid-level 1.8 S, and top-line 1.8 SL." Automobile Magazine reviewers approve of the new styling, noting that the Nissan 2009 Cube "pegs the needle on the geek-chic meter." Autoblog attempts to describe some of the styling elements, pointing out the "sheetmetal around the side glass is beveled, so the windows themselves look recessed," while the asymmetry that is the Cube's hallmark is most evident out back, where there is "a pillar on the left side only. On the right, the glass just wraps around." Road & Track simply calls the look "Roger Rabbit styling," and Motor Trend reviewers feel the look is "polarizing." Overall, however, reviewers find it fresh and appealing, and Autoblog contends that the unique styling "sets the Cube apart from the rest of the (suddenly, increasingly crowded) box-wagon segment."

Unlike some vehicles that feature attention-getting exterior styling but boring interiors, the 2009 Nissan Cube carries its design theme into the cabin. Motor Trend says that it features "pronounced curvature in the front dashboard as well as more subtly arcing surfaces for rear passengers." Edmunds observes that the 2009 Nissan Cube's "basic cabin design has soft curves and shapes that are a bit different from the typical hard-edged style employed by most rivals." Most visible on the interior of the Nissan Cube is a "ripple effect" that Autoblog notes "dominates the headliner and is repeated in the bottoms of the cupholders and on the speaker grilles." In pictures, this element can seem a bit overbearing, but reviewers all reacted positively after seeing the physical manifestation of the "Jacuzzi lounge" theme.

Conclusion

The 2009 Nissan Cube is unapologetically aimed at the young and trendy.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Exterior is the kind of thing vacuous aesthetes go gaga forJalopnikPegs the needle on the geek-chic meterAutomobile MagazineJacuzzi lounge' interior layout means pronounced curvature in the front dashboardMotor Trend Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com tend to compare the 2009 Nissan Cube to the Scion xB or Kia Soul, but the reality is that nothing really compares to the funky, rounded-box styling of the new Nissan Cube. For Nissan, 2009 marks the first time that the Nissan Cube will be available in the United States, although the first two generations have been sold in Japan for quite some time. Let's get this out of the way—the Nissan Cube is not for everyone. Many people will fail to find the appeal in its wholly unorthodox styling, but Nissan is hoping that those in their 20s and 30s will take to the look. Unlike the previous-generation, Japanese-exclusive Nissan Cubes, the new 2009 Nissan Cube "attempts to soften the square edges, boosting both the design appeal and interior space," reports Jalopnik. ConsumerGuide says the 2009 Nissan Cube is "a subcompact 4-door hatchback" that "comes in three trim levels: base 1.8, mid-level 1.8 S, and top-line 1.8 SL." Automobile Magazine reviewers approve of the new styling, noting that the Nissan 2009 Cube "pegs the needle on the geek-chic meter." Autoblog attempts to describe some of the styling elements, pointing out the "sheetmetal around the side glass is beveled, so the windows themselves look recessed," while the asymmetry that is the Cube's hallmark is most evident out back, where there is "a pillar on the left side only. On the right, the glass just wraps around." Road & Track simply calls the look "Roger Rabbit styling," and Motor Trend reviewers feel the look is "polarizing." Overall, however, reviewers find it fresh and appealing, and Autoblog contends that the unique styling "sets the Cube apart from the rest of the (suddenly, increasingly crowded) box-wagon segment." Unlike some vehicles that feature attention-getting exterior styling but boring interiors, the 2009 Nissan Cube carries its design theme into the cabin. Motor Trend says that it features "pronounced curvature in the front dashboard as well as more subtly arcing surfaces for rear passengers." Edmunds observes that the 2009 Nissan Cube's "basic cabin design has soft curves and shapes that are a bit different from the typical hard-edged style employed by most rivals." Most visible on the interior of the Nissan Cube is a "ripple effect" that Autoblog notes "dominates the headliner and is repeated in the bottoms of the cupholders and on the speaker grilles." In pictures, this element can seem a bit overbearing, but reviewers all reacted positively after seeing the physical manifestation of the "Jacuzzi lounge" theme. ConclusionThe 2009 Nissan Cube is unapologetically aimed at the young and trendy. 2009 NISSAN CUBE STYLING | [9 out of 10] Jalopnik: "Exterior is the kind of thing vacuous aesthetes go gaga for" Automobile Magazine: "Pegs the needle on the geek-chic meter" Motor Trend: "'Jacuzzi lounge' interior layout means pronounced curvature in the front dashboard" Reviews read ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

At about 157 inches long, the 2009 Nissan Cube lands, size-wise, with the last-generation Scion xB. The xB introduced for 2008 is quite a bit larger and heavier than both the Cube and the last xB, but it doesn't feel any roomier. The xB does, however, feel heftier and might be a bit more stable on the highway, but its fuel economy isn't as good as the Cube's. Visibility is also an issue in the xB. Scion's smaller xD is sized very closely with the Cube, but it doesn't have nearly as much backseat space or cargo room. Then there's the new 2010 Kia Soul, which has a boxy but slightly more conventional appearance that many might prefer to the Cube's especially quirky look. Relative to the Cube, the Soul is the driving enthusiasts' choice; it handles well even if it doesn't have a lot of power. The Soul isn't as refined as the Cube, though. Yet another option is the Chevrolet HHR; though larger than the Cube, the HHR feels more cramped inside, and the HHR's tired retro design and rental-car interior is less likely to appeal to young fashionistas.

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See the Nissan Cube in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

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