2010 Nissan Cube - Review

By Tim Healey

Tim Healey

Contributing Writer BIO

Tim Healey was formerly an associate editor at Consumer Guide Automotive in Chicago. Before that he worked in the automotive industry as a service... More

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All Eyes On The Cube

For a car that bears the name Cube, the Nissan Cube sure has a lot of circular design elements.

For instance, there's the circular "wave" pattern in the headliner that radiates out from the dome light. Then there is the large, circular piece of shag carpeting that rides atop the center of the dash (I'm not kidding about this). Or the rounded sweeps of the D-pillar.

Not to mention the rounded edges on the headlamps or the round fog lamps. For something named Cube, this little urban runabout looks less boxy than its counterparts, the Scion xB and the Kia Soul.

If you're wondering how the Cube--which is neither a hybrid or an alternative-fuel vehicle--gets its green cred, the EPA fuel-mileage estimates of 27 mpg city and 31 mpg highway should clue you in.

Powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that makes 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, the Cube earns a low-emission vehicle rating. My front-wheel-drive tester came standard with an independent front suspension, electric power steering, front-disc and rear-drum brakes, a tachometer, cruise control, a wireless cell phone link, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer, an audio system with MP3 capability, and power windows.

But there's more: an auxiliary input cord, power door locks, a 12-volt outlet, six cup holders and five bottle holders, a cargo area light, two cargo hooks, a rear window wiper, a rear window defroster, and chrome-plated interior door handles. Available safety features included traction control, an antiskid system, ABS, and a brake-force distribution system with brake assist. Base price: $20,120.

Options included the Interior Designer Package ($230, carpeted floor mats, carpeted cargo mat, shag dash topper--see, I told you--and front door bungees).

Then there's the Krom Edition Package, which offers revised designs for the front fascia, front grille, radiator grille, bodyside sills, rear bumper fascia and rear roof spoiler, 16-inch wheels, black and gray seat fabric, aluminum-trimmed pedals, 20-color interior lighting, titanium trim for the A/C and shifter bezels and the gear-lever treatments, Nissan's Intelligent Key, a push-button start, a premium AM/FM/CD audio system, an iPod compatible USB connection, upgraded speakers, a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and amplifier, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, automatic on/off headlights, and rear floor vents.