Once upon a time there was a hip car called the Scion xB. The name stood for nothing, but to some goons in marketing, it just sounded cool. Buyers were able to customize it to their hearts content. And for not a lot of money, either.
Along the way, something happened. The vehicle that made it hip to be square suddenly gained weight, smoothed out around the edges and jumped into middle age. In the process, cars like the Kia Soul quickly picked up the slack.
Not to be outdone, Nissan jumped into the fray with its box-like Cube. Quickly finding traction with young hipsters alienated by the shape of the Scion, the Cube pulls out all the zoot with its new Krom edition. The Cube Mobile Device, as Nissan calls it, sure knows how to attract attention, both good and bad. It’s not a car for quiet librarian types – unless they have a side that knows how to party.
What is it?
The Cube is an asymmetrically designed utility vehicle that features a refrigerator-like rear door, waterdrop roof liner, roundish windows throughout and an expressive front end. It tends to throw the hammer at convention the same way the woman tossed hers at the TV screen in the original Apple Computer commercial back in 1984. But most Cube drivers weren’t even born back then – at least Nissan’s product development folks hope.
What’s it up against?
Competition in this segment includes some old—and some new – players. In addition to the aforementioned Scion, there is Honda’s Element and Fit, the Chevy HHR and the other newcomer, the Kia Soul. They are all essentially two-box designs and all do a similar job with varying degrees of radicalism in their designs and features.
Any breakthroughs?
One look at the Cube and it becomes evident this ride is all about customization. A glance inside at the doors reveals little bungees that hold pens, sunglasses, MP3 players and other such items in a place for everything and everything in its place. An optional shag carpet “dash topper†in the shape of a circle occupies the area directly above the head unit in the Cube, and has a pile deep enough to hold pens, pencils, cell phones, sunglasses, combs and so on with at least some security. Nissan points out the topper is intended for use when the Cube is at a standstill. Yeah, right.
From a visual standpoint (and discounting the obvious direction in the overall look of the Cube), the 20-color interior accent lighting package makes for some pretty cool mood lighting inside – it’s more comprehensive than Ford’s similar package.
How does it look?
Order it in white, and you can specify custom Frigidaire graphics for the optional Ice Cube model (just kidding). Actually it does remind us of a vintage ’80s-style appliance with its subtly rounded corners and character. The asymmetrical design yields some quirky styling around the rear including the appearance of a faux wrap around glass panel on the right.
The Cube is a more successful design coming at you than it is going away. Credit for that probably should go to the French influence from sister company Renault, whose Clio “push-back†rear end looks like it influenced the rear hatch on the new Cube.
Nissan’s Krom series adds features including Krom, er, chrome grille and bumper trim, ground and aero effect body parts, 16-inch alloy wheels, a premium audio system with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer located in the rear hatch and, finally, a gray and black custom seating fabric.
The Krom setup is a much blingier (shiny) treatment, which contributes nicely towards improving the overall appearance. This is, after all, a design only a designer could love.
Or is it?
And on the inside?
Social gatherings, social media, ice cream socials. Whatever. The Cube is built with a social space in mind. According to Nissan, it is designed as a lounge on wheels. Infinitely adjustable, in theory it could move and adapt with its owner.
The interior is an amalgam of shapes of differing sizes. Ovals, circles, waves and squares accent many of the key designs. An interesting black and gray check fabric covers the seats throughout the “social space.†The front seats offer little in the way of side-to-side bolstering, but are comfortable nonetheless. The rear seat offers a slight take on “stadium-style†seating, allowing the two rear passengers a better forward view than if mounted on the same level as the fronts. Legroom in the back seat is surprisingly good because of its ability to track forward and back, while headroom is large enough for even the largest of egos. As an added plus, the rear seatback reclines for added comfort and folds forward for 50-cubic feet of added cargo capacity.
The dashboard is a shelf-like affair with nooks and crannies at every turn. On the driver’s side corner is a dual slot cup holder that looks like it will hold a Coke and a can of Red Bull. Or an iPhone. On the right is a little ledge good for pens or a fast food drive-thru order.
The gauge binnacle is chock full of color from cool blue to intense red. Automatic Climate controls reside in a large circular ring, while an AM/FM/CD player with six upgraded speakers and the Rockford Fosgate subwoofer pump up the decibels.
But does it go?
The Cube is equipped with Nissan’s ubiquitous 1.8-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft. of torque. The four-banger is mated to Nissan’s proven Xtronic continuously variable transmission for what is certainly one of the best examples of an engine and CVT tranny combination available in today’s marketplace. It’s certainly no speed demon, but that’s not the point of the Cube. Suffice to say, it can get out of its own way.
We never felt threatened entering the Interstate at speed. We just kept listening for the gear changes that, with a CVT, never came. It’s a weird sensation, but one that we got used to.
The Cube’s running gear uses a pair of MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar in front while a torsion beam rear axle with built-in stabilizer bar keeps the lean to a minimum out back. An electrically controlled speed sensitive steering system offers somewhat overboosted steering feel, but on the flip side, enables an extremely tight (33.4-foot) turning radius. Finally in a nod to keeping costs in check, Nissan builds the Cube with disc brakes in front and drums in the rear, all with power assist. Braking power was good enough, but certainly not sports car-like.
The EPA says the Cube Krom checks in with a mileage rating of 28 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway – par with our testing and good for a box.
Why you would buy it:
You are not afraid to be caught in odd, even while you may be odd. With good mileage and utility, not to mention a design that you just won’t see everywhere, the Cube is sure to be the conversation starte, wherever you park it.
Why you wouldn’t:
You are still in love with your 1996 jellybean-shaped Ford Taurus.
Leftlane’s bottom line:
Nissan’s Cube Krom Edition is the top of the line boxy-shaped vehicle that will appeal to (social) hipsters regardless of age. With many creative touches inside, not to mention unique curb appeal and a reliable drivetrain, it would be tough to match the value and uniqueness that the Cube possesses. The Cube and Kia’s different yet similar Soul both out-Scion Scion.
2009 Nissan Cube Krom base price, $19,320. As tested, $20,420.
Interior designer package, $230. Alarm, $100; Destination, $720.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
Review: Nissan Cube Krom Edition
Reviewed by
Mark Elias on
January 20
.
Once upon a time there was a hip car called the Scion xB. The name stood for nothing, but to some goons in marketing, it just sounded cool. Buyers were able to customize it to their hearts content. And for not a lot of money, either. Along the way, something happened. The vehicle that made [...]
Once upon a time there was a hip car called the Scion xB. The name stood for nothing, but to some goons in marketing, it just sounded cool. Buyers were able to customize it to their hearts content. And for not a lot of money, either.
Along the way, something happened. The vehicle that made it hip to be square suddenly gained weight, smoothed out around the edges and jumped into middle age. In the process, cars like the Kia Soul quickly picked up the slack.
Not to be outdone, Nissan jumped into the fray with its box-like Cube. Quickly finding traction with young hipsters alienated by the shape of the Scion, the Cube pulls out all the zoot with its new Krom edition. The Cube Mobile Device, as Nissan calls it, sure knows how to attract attention, both good and bad. It’s not a car for quiet librarian types – unless they have a side that knows how to party.
What is it?
The Cube is an asymmetrically designed utility vehicle that features a refrigerator-like rear door, waterdrop roof liner, roundish windows throughout and an expressive front end. It tends to throw the hammer at convention the same way the woman tossed hers at the TV screen in the original Apple Computer commercial back in 1984. But most Cube drivers weren’t even born back then – at least Nissan’s product development folks hope.
What’s it up against?
Competition in this segment includes some old—and some new – players. In addition to the aforementioned Scion, there is Honda’s Element and Fit, the Chevy HHR and the other newcomer, the Kia Soul. They are all essentially two-box designs and all do a similar job with varying degrees of radicalism in their designs and features.
Any breakthroughs?
One look at the Cube and it becomes evident this ride is all about customization. A glance inside at the doors reveals little bungees that hold pens, sunglasses, MP3 players and other such items in a place for everything and everything in its place. An optional shag carpet “dash topper†in the shape of a circle occupies the area directly above the head unit in the Cube, and has a pile deep enough to hold pens, pencils, cell phones, sunglasses, combs and so on with at least some security. Nissan points out the topper is intended for use when the Cube is at a standstill. Yeah, right.
From a visual standpoint (and discounting the obvious direction in the overall look of the Cube), the 20-color interior accent lighting package makes for some pretty cool mood lighting inside – it’s more comprehensive than Ford’s similar package.
How does it look?
Order it in white, and you can specify custom Frigidaire graphics for the optional Ice Cube model (just kidding). Actually it does remind us of a vintage ’80s-style appliance with its subtly rounded corners and character. The asymmetrical design yields some quirky styling around the rear including the appearance of a faux wrap around glass panel on the right.
The Cube is a more successful design coming at you than it is going away. Credit for that probably should go to the French influence from sister company Renault, whose Clio “push-back†rear end looks like it influenced the rear hatch on the new Cube.
Nissan’s Krom series adds features including Krom, er, chrome grille and bumper trim, ground and aero effect body parts, 16-inch alloy wheels, a premium audio system with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer located in the rear hatch and, finally, a gray and black custom seating fabric.
The Krom setup is a much blingier (shiny) treatment, which contributes nicely towards improving the overall appearance. This is, after all, a design only a designer could love.
Or is it?
And on the inside?
Social gatherings, social media, ice cream socials. Whatever. The Cube is built with a social space in mind. According to Nissan, it is designed as a lounge on wheels. Infinitely adjustable, in theory it could move and adapt with its owner.
The interior is an amalgam of shapes of differing sizes. Ovals, circles, waves and squares accent many of the key designs. An interesting black and gray check fabric covers the seats throughout the “social space.†The front seats offer little in the way of side-to-side bolstering, but are comfortable nonetheless. The rear seat offers a slight take on “stadium-style†seating, allowing the two rear passengers a better forward view than if mounted on the same level as the fronts. Legroom in the back seat is surprisingly good because of its ability to track forward and back, while headroom is large enough for even the largest of egos. As an added plus, the rear seatback reclines for added comfort and folds forward for 50-cubic feet of added cargo capacity.
The dashboard is a shelf-like affair with nooks and crannies at every turn. On the driver’s side corner is a dual slot cup holder that looks like it will hold a Coke and a can of Red Bull. Or an iPhone. On the right is a little ledge good for pens or a fast food drive-thru order.
The gauge binnacle is chock full of color from cool blue to intense red. Automatic Climate controls reside in a large circular ring, while an AM/FM/CD player with six upgraded speakers and the Rockford Fosgate subwoofer pump up the decibels.
But does it go?
The Cube is equipped with Nissan’s ubiquitous 1.8-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft. of torque. The four-banger is mated to Nissan’s proven Xtronic continuously variable transmission for what is certainly one of the best examples of an engine and CVT tranny combination available in today’s marketplace. It’s certainly no speed demon, but that’s not the point of the Cube. Suffice to say, it can get out of its own way.
We never felt threatened entering the Interstate at speed. We just kept listening for the gear changes that, with a CVT, never came. It’s a weird sensation, but one that we got used to.
The Cube’s running gear uses a pair of MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar in front while a torsion beam rear axle with built-in stabilizer bar keeps the lean to a minimum out back. An electrically controlled speed sensitive steering system offers somewhat overboosted steering feel, but on the flip side, enables an extremely tight (33.4-foot) turning radius. Finally in a nod to keeping costs in check, Nissan builds the Cube with disc brakes in front and drums in the rear, all with power assist. Braking power was good enough, but certainly not sports car-like.
The EPA says the Cube Krom checks in with a mileage rating of 28 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway – par with our testing and good for a box.
Why you would buy it:
You are not afraid to be caught in odd, even while you may be odd. With good mileage and utility, not to mention a design that you just won’t see everywhere, the Cube is sure to be the conversation starte, wherever you park it.
Why you wouldn’t:
You are still in love with your 1996 jellybean-shaped Ford Taurus.
Leftlane’s bottom line:
Nissan’s Cube Krom Edition is the top of the line boxy-shaped vehicle that will appeal to (social) hipsters regardless of age. With many creative touches inside, not to mention unique curb appeal and a reliable drivetrain, it would be tough to match the value and uniqueness that the Cube possesses. The Cube and Kia’s different yet similar Soul both out-Scion Scion.
2009 Nissan Cube Krom base price, $19,320. As tested, $20,420.
Interior designer package, $230. Alarm, $100; Destination, $720.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
Rating:
