Watch Out Scion - Nissan Has Its Own Hot Box
Finally, Americans can buy a car that looks like it was imported directly from the streets of Tokyo.
The 2009 Nissan Cube arriving in U.S. dealerships next month has the tall, narrow, boxy shape and quirky touches of Japanese vehicles that maximize interior space while sharing narrow roads in a congested Asian city.
The Cube's styling is so cartoonish it's clearly evident the look didn't originate with designers in America.
Best of all, the Cube's 109.1 cubic feet of interior room, passenger space and cargo room combined, is generous for an under-$15,000 car. Along with authentic Asian style, buyers get lots of practical room for passengers and cargo.
Plus, there are fun accessories. Shag material on your dashboard? You can have it in the Cube.
Fuel mileage is decent. While government fuel economy numbers haven't been released yet, Nissan officials expect a highway mileage rating of 30 miles per gallon, and the test Cube easily got 27.2 mpg in combined city/highway travel.
Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $14,710 for a base, 122-horsepower Cube with four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission.
The lowest-priced model with a transmission that a driver doesn't have to shift manually is $16,410 for a Cube S with continuously variable transmission. CVTs work to optimize mileage by operating with an infinite gear range. The test car had Nissan's Xtronic CVT.
Base price for the Cube compares with the $16,420 starting retail price for a base 2009 Scion xB, which also has boxy styling but is arguably a bit less cartoonish in look. The xB is also larger than the Cube and with a 158-horsepower four cylinder has a bigger engine.
Photos: Getty Images
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Posted by Gay.com on April 15, 2009 in Cars
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seriously why? why? why? the cube look is so Fugly and i would of expected better from Nissan
Posted by: apersonuhide | April 18, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Why would anyone want to buy a shoebox that gets poor gay mileage? I'm sorry, but 27-30 mpg is no longer green. If this car was getting 50-70 mpg, then I might overlook the rectangal effect.
Posted by: kingsgold | April 20, 2009 at 04:40 PM
ahaha.. it's cute.. Love it. Can't wait to take it for a test drive. Im currently driving a 4900 lb dodge magnum around! I would love to go completely opposite with the tiny cube :) probably way easier to park.
Posted by: someone | April 30, 2009 at 02:17 PM
You're complaining about the mileage? Last I knew, the 30 MPG mark was pretty decent - Remember the cars in the early 90's? Lucky to get 22 (I had a 91 Caprice that got less than 12 in the city and about 22 highway). 30 MPG is like a gold mine.
Posted by: kspencerjr | May 08, 2009 at 10:09 AM
i would rather have the xb, it gets better mpg, i have a 1989 ford probe that gets 21 mpg so i would rather go up than down. this car is to gay for me lol. looks like something you would see in lego land.
Posted by: peanut_gallery13 | May 11, 2009 at 11:33 PM
i ment to say 31mpg not 21 O.o
Posted by: peanut_gallery13 | May 11, 2009 at 11:34 PM