 2009 Nissan Cube. Click image to enlarge |
|
Manufacturer’s web site
|
Join CanadianDriver’s Facebook group
Follow CanadianDriver on TwitterReview and photos by James Bergeron
Find this vehicle in CanadianDriver’s Classified Ads
Photo Gallery:
2009 Nissan Cube
Toronto, Ontario – As human beings, we are conditioned from birth that symmetry is beautiful and “normal.” From faces to everyday objects, we like symmetry, while asymmetry is shunned and is considered not pleasing or even ugly in some cases. Symmetry is part of our everyday life: in my living room, I placed my television in the dead centre of the wall and my speakers evenly on either side; even the artwork on my box of cereal is perfectly symmetrical.
Cars are typically symmetrical, styled with a “face” to create an object that generates emotion. Then, along comes the 2009 Nissan Cube with a face like a bulldog wearing sunglasses and the only asymmetrical body design on the market.
  2009 Nissan Cube. Click image to enlarge |
You could use many words to describe the Cube’s styling: odd, cute, weird, funky, distinctive or fun! This journalist would use just one word – polarizing. Ian Forsyth, Director, Product and Corporate Planning, Nissan Canada Inc. said it well when he said, “The Cube is not something our customers settle for.” Judging from the reactions I witnessed in my short stint behind the wheel, you will either love it or hate it. The good news for Nissan is that most people seem to love it. In fact, the Nissan Cube is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Why would Nissan launch an all-new vehicle in our sluggish marketplace? Everyone knows we are in the midst of a financial crisis and car sales are down across the board. It certainly does seem like an odd time to take a chance on a vehicle that may appeal only to a niche market. Actually, Nissan has had the Cube in the works for four years – it was first shown at the 2004 Montreal Auto Show where reactions were positive. At the time, the C-Note was also on display, and it garnered even more praise at the time. It was expedited to our shores as the 2007 Nissan Versa in 2006.
| next >> View full article on one page
|
at 7:55 am
Love it! Until I saw that the rear seats do not fold flat/into the floor. Shame.
at 9:12 am
its the ugliest thing i saw and what about the swing hatch the Kia Soul is nicer and better laid in the inside
at 10:32 am
I wouldn’t buy it – the styling is far too odd for my tastes – but I can see this being a hit with young mothers and small families in general. Good for Nissan for thinking outside the, er, cube!
Ironic, isn’t it, that this review appears alongside a post on the gas guzzling Buick Enclave, which offers none of the luxury accompaniments one would expect, at a ginormous purchase price.
at 10:34 am
(Having said that, the Enclave is one sharp looking SUV – it’s a shame that GM is introducing so many decent cars, like the Saturn fleet and the Chevy Malibu – at such a dismal time for their company and the industry in general.)
at 11:13 am
I pass by one of these and the Kia Soul every day on my commute to work. I think its growing on me – I’d rather have one of these over a Versa – if for no other reason than there’s fewer on the road and with such dramatic styling you probably won’t see them in the same numbers as the Versa, Fit, Matrix (definately not that last one!). The younger crowd as many have mentioned will likely flock to this thing
I have to disagree with Mario – I would definately put this ahead of the Soul for two reasons: a) the Cube carries a lot more (so no need to leave the hatch open) and b) being a Nissan I’m willing to bet it will handle a lot better and holds its resale value. (Every Kia I drive seems to have “odd” steering – if you’ve ever driven a Sportage you probably know what I mean)
at 12:02 pm
3 words: HO-RI-BLE!
at 12:18 pm
I have sat in one and find it has a non-car feeling. It’s like driving while sitting at your kitchen table. By comparison, the Kia Soul feels like a car.
at 1:17 pm
The interior feels like a step back to the 90’s. It would be acceptable at $14,000, but at $17,000, I wouldn’t settle for it. The Soul’s interior surpasses the Cube’s, in my opinion.
Also, headroom is great, but the seating position in the Cube is low so rather than giving me the feeling of “spaciousness”, I got the feeling of “midgetness”.
A good option for an inexpensive runabout (or as a car for a college kid, or a first new-car purchase), but at this price point I’d rather go for the Fit, or save some cash and go for the Kia.
at 1:18 pm
Definitely a modern version of the old Renault 4. Given Nissan’s connection with Renault, I suppose that’s not surprising. It will be interesting to see whether a version of this will be sold as a Renault in France or elsewhere in Europe.
at 1:36 pm
That is the ugliest thing I have seen.
at 1:51 pm
What’s up with the third world designs of late. Nothing craetive, fresh or exciting about this “thing” at all! YUK!!
at 2:07 pm
Quite possibly uglier than the Pontiac Aztek.
at 10:12 pm
At 6′9″ I thought this car would be salvation, and I indeed had about 10 centimetres of space above my head, when in most cars I brush the ceiling or have to duck. However, it is incredibly disappointing that there is no telescopic steering, not even as an option. That means that with the seat all the way back, my arms were completely straight and very uncomfortable.
Note to the Japanese – Tall people would snap up this car in droves if you installed a telescopic steering wheel, as aside from that it is the roomiest car I have ever sat in.
at 10:33 pm
This makes the Scion xB look beautiful, and even that car has triggered my gag reflex a few times. Not anymore! We have a new champion of ugly.
at 10:46 pm
Umm.. NO
at 10:50 pm
Props for trying something different tho. Perhaps a small market for a quirky/cute? set of wheels.
I wouldn’t say worse than the Aztek but to me, the proportions simply are not right. I would take Scion/ Kia Soul over this without question..
at 11:57 am
Andy – NOTHING is uglier than the Aztek!
at 12:53 pm
Loved it ….. until I saw it!
at 1:56 pm
Overall, I like it…Let’s wait for xB to compare vs Soul and Cube…
Really disappointed about the fact that the e-4WD is not available on the Cube though…this would’ve been a major differentiation factor for the car in a Canadian winter market like Montreal
at 9:06 am
The Kia Soul is soooo much cooler than this ‘thing’
at 8:14 am
What? The e-4wd is not available??!! Can I get one with e-4wd from the States? Need the 4wd in Northern Ontario. Until this moment, the cube was the answer to my prayers. Now, I’m incredibly let down.
at 6:11 pm
the Renault influence is there, weird, should have all wheel drive for Canada
at 8:48 pm
Really like the Kia Soul a lot more, and the ‘options’ are better…I doubt this will hold much more resale value…and as for Tall Drivers (like myself), the Kia is the best of the bunch (though I have lots of room when I drive a PT Cruiser, VW Beetle and the Honda Element)
RandomResponses: The Aztek is about as UGLY a vehicle as I’ve ever seen, especially the Yellow one I saw today in Brampton
Why wait for the xB, it’s been out for years in the USA, if you want to see one….and I’ve seen enough of them in Toronto!
Not sure WHY you need “fold flat” seats? Most vehicles that are “close to flat” either are good enough, or over time you adapt!
…and my last response is the ridiculous post: “Loved it….until I saw it”….that doesn’t even make any sense, and therefore isn’t Humourous!!??
at 6:45 pm
Cute as the darn thing may be, it has its definite drawbacks. To wit: I can access the trunk of my present car without opening my garage door. With the Cube, since the back door opens “like a door” wanna bet that I have to roll up the garage door just to get the groceries out on a rainy day? Some rethinking is needed, methinks.
at 2:52 pm
I saw one in green in person. To be honest with you, it looked horrible. The worst boxy design (aesthetically) ever created, period.
at 2:45 pm
This thing is 10000 times more ugly than an Aztek. People who say otherwise must be blind or have some kind of brain problem.
at 4:27 pm
I’d buy this in a heartbeat. LOVE it! The only thing missing is a power sunroof option from factory, otherwise I find it to be a winner!!!
Peace<-
at 4:29 pm
BTW: I’d go with Caribbean Blue exterior color, speaking for myself.
Peace<-
at 12:18 am
This thing is too ugly to look at…
at 2:55 pm
This strange looking vehicle might work as teenagers’ first car. I’d choose the Soul over it in a heartbeat.
at 11:05 am
Funny when and American automaker designs something like the Flex it is an ugly car…when a Nissan designs a car that looks like my toilet at home it is quirky/cute. The designer of this “car” should be shot! The difference between with an the “Soul” is that the Cube is actually build by an automaker that knows what they are doing.
at 12:17 pm
Butt ugly!
at 9:11 am
I think it’s cute in an ugly sort of way. Nice to see Nissan doing something different.