MSRP: $13,990 - $19,370
Invoice: $13,500 - $18,557
MPG: 24 City / 29 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:7.5
Performance:7.1
Exterior:7.8
Interior:8.7
Safety:NA
Reliability:6.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • One-of-a-kind design
  • Cushy seating
  • Inventive cabin features
  • Poor handling
  • Less storage room than competitors like the Honda Fit or Kia Soul

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Nissan Cube - What the Auto Press Says

According to our analysis, the 2009 Nissan Cube's bold styling, spacious interior and low MSRP should appeal to hatchback lovers who like to make a statement. But several critics say a closer look at the Cube could diminish the car's overall appeal.

Superficially, no hatchback design is as unique as the Nissan Cube. Reviewers say its asymmetrical body panels and edgy profile are unlike anything else, and quirky features like shag carpeting, or rippling water effects on the dashboard, cupholders and speakers are sure to entice young car buyers. But some say the Cube's design is its strongest attribute, while the car's other elements -- such as its handling or cargo options -- are lacking. 

Several reviewers recommend taking the Cube for a test drive, but also suggest looking at the Kia Soul, Scion xB or Honda Fit before you make a final decision. Test drivers say the xB has a stronger engine and tauter suspension than the Cube, plus its cargo hold can accommodate 69.9 cubic feet worth of stuff. In addition, both the xB and the new Kia Soul have the boxy styling that might have drawn you to the 2009 Cube in the first place. 

The 2009 Honda Fit doesn't have as distinctive a design, but this 2009 U.S. News Best Car for the Money in the subcompact category is fun-to-drive and has a number of cargo or people hauling configurations. 

But if you're a fan of Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), none of the three above mentioned options have the Cube's smooth shifting and spirited acceleration. The Cube is available in four trims -- the 1.8, 1.8S, 1.8SL and top-of-the-line Krom (pronounced "chrome"). 

Be sure to check out this month's Nissan Deals, where we've done the research so you can get the best discounts and incentives on a new Nissan.

  • "The cute-and-clever Cube is aimed at the heart of the youth market plus those seeking a fun, practical and inexpensive vehicle that eschews tradition." -- Times Free Press
  • "The 2009 Nissan Cube belons in the Twitterverse. It's the White Castle slider of full meal vehicles: Cute, small, square and a little cheesy. It's 140 characters of fun -- not enough to write a novel, but more than enough for a full thought." -- Detroit Free Press
  • "Adventuresome styling, a plush ride, peppy performance and plenty of space within a tiny footprint are admirable highlights of the 2009 Nissan Cube. However, a certain Honda may be a more sensible 'Fit.'" -- Edmunds
  • "With high style and an even higher coefficient of drag, the Cube seems to have what it takes to captivate the living-in-the-parents'-basement set. How far it will reach beyond that demographic, I'm not sure. It sure is boxy." -- Los Angeles Times
  • "The Cube, as you may have guessed, isn't for everybody. It's an odd bird with polarizing looks and a noncomformist attitude. But, as an economy car that starts at just under $14,000, it's armed with compelling features." -- Popular Mechanics
  • "Nissan shouldn't be so quick to downplay Cube's car-ness. For low-demand drivers, it's dandy. And, in an almost impossible compromise, it also appears likely to satisfy people who don't really want cars." -- USA Today
  • "While the Fit doesn't attempt to accomplish anything spectacular design wise, it ends up being a far more appealing vehicle thanks to its interior and driving experience that are far more capable than its size or spec sheet would suggest. The Cube is the opposite; its whacky looks aren't backed up by substance." -- Jalopnik
  • The Cube is more like a Nintendo Wii: accessible, fun and deeply strange in an authentically Japanese way. Originally introduced in Japan in 1998; this is now the third iteration of the Cube and the first one to find its way to the United States." -- New York Times 

Cube Performance - 7.1 (Good)

Test drivers report that the Cube's handling is somewhat lazy, while the power generated by the four-cylinder engine isn't extraordinary. The Detroit News reports, "On the highway, the Cube felt loose and floaty. It doesn't like speed approaching 80 mph and it hates windy afternoons -- as too much wind tends to rock the box a little too much. But around town, the natural turf for this vehicle, the Cube is downright fun." Still, reviewers are satisfied with the Cube's overall drivability, especially its optional continuously variable transmission. Read More

Cube Exterior - 7.8 (Good)

The Cube's exterior is hard to ignore. But while some like the Cube's asymmetrical paneling and square dimensions, others aren't so sure. Nevertheless, nearly all reviewers do admit the 2009 Nissan Cube should appeal to its target demographic. According to the Los Angeles Times, "For 'echo boomers' and 'millennials' born from 1980 and 1990, beautiful is counterintuitively clumsy, affectedly unsleek, modular and angular, as in Wii consoles, iPhones and the large, squarish heads of the Jonas Brothers. It's no accident that Nissan has tagged the Cube its 'mobile device.'" Read More

Cube Interior - 8.7 (Very Good)

The 2009 Nissan Cube is spacious with never-before-seen design effects that reviewers love. According to USA Today, the Cube's interior "has a fanciful tone but not at the expense of good execution. Things fit together well and mainly are pleasant to operate." But several others note the Cube's available cargo room is not impressive, and that the second row's seating for three should be more comfortable for the middle passenger.  Read More

Cube Safety - NA

Neither the federal government nor the insurance industry has crash tested the 2009 Nissan Cube, but the preliminary information on the car's safety features has been released. The '09 Cube will have six standard airbags and Vehicle Dynamic Control. Read More

Cube Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Nissan Cube reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Warranty information has not been released for the upcoming Nissan Cube, but other Nissans have a three-year/36,000 mile limited warranty, with powertrain coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. Read More

Review Last Updated: 11/11/09