The Nissan Cube is really for the squarish...the nerdy type...that want attention in a different way! The previous generation was brought in by Mitsuoka under the MPV model, with 3 rows of seats in a "Kei-car". That model, sharing the same Nissan March 1.4-litre engine, looks incredibly cute to some, yet some might call it the "coffin-car". For those that do note like it, wait till you see the asymmetric back door design, that make the Cube stand out from the crowd!
Oh...Oh...Oh...the "backside" is so unique, and with a tiny size, it even make the car lovable by many. But, for those that do not like it, will never love it. Nerds in this world has been dropping in numbers, thus causing the Cube a big drop in sales in some countries that it "was" sold. A great example from the UK where Nissan pulled this model out from their offering merely after a few years, due to struggling numbers. Thus, back in the European world, rounded chubby hatchbacks are still the choice for most!
The Cube uses Nissan's 1.5-litre HR engine similar to the one in the Almera, and some of them are mated to a 4-speed auto or a CVT gearbox. The engine produces a pathetic 99hp/139Nm of power, which when driven, could be liked a snail on fire, which is agitating to the driver, as it is not good enough to pull this car out of the corner at a decent pace. Anyway, just keep telling yourself, the Cube is a "kei-car", thus it is even good if it has only 660-litre engine in it. So what's is the price tag of RM108k for a 5-year-old reconditioned unit? Honestly, I will not pay anything more than RM60k for this car, no matter how much I like it. It has all the lousy stuff, except the look. Remember the Proton Juara...a big failure! Though Nissan still carry a brand with reliability in its account!
The Cube's interior is an inheritance from the March. Even the digital aircon control is similar to what you get in the Almera. One cool thing though, when you push the start button, the car fires up with the RPM and speedometer doing a full swing from left to right. And yes, this could cost you that additional RM10k which you don't get from the Almera! Gear stalk is mounted on the steering column, freeing up space in the center. The driver or passenger can just lean to one side, without anything in the middle. Parking brake is activated using a foot pedal as well. Full spec version even get a moonroof, allowing our hot sun to penetrate if you wish to open the cover. It is not an operable roof, just a half-panoramic glass which could be a redundant in our weather.
Though the Cube has some sort of MPV look, it is still a "kei-car", thus don't expect it to haul your family luggage well in it. The engine could be a struggle if you load the car up with 5 adults and luggages. The boot space here is tiny, but golf bag could be fitted in its vertical position due to ample height.
If you really like the car, do shop around, as parallel importers have brought in quite a few variants. Some with basic spec where the aircon control is all manual dials. There are 2 different interior colours, beige and black. With the high price tag of this re-conditioned car, not too sure it could ever get popular as one could get a brand new C-segment car here, with full warranty, and at least another 5 years of hassle free motoring. One thing to note though, the pre-facelift version that was brought in by Mitsuoka is still asking for about RM70k (brand new about RM82k), for an unit that is almost 10-year-old. Worth it or not, you decide, nerd!
The Cube uses Nissan's 1.5-litre HR engine similar to the one in the Almera, and some of them are mated to a 4-speed auto or a CVT gearbox. The engine produces a pathetic 99hp/139Nm of power, which when driven, could be liked a snail on fire, which is agitating to the driver, as it is not good enough to pull this car out of the corner at a decent pace. Anyway, just keep telling yourself, the Cube is a "kei-car", thus it is even good if it has only 660-litre engine in it. So what's is the price tag of RM108k for a 5-year-old reconditioned unit? Honestly, I will not pay anything more than RM60k for this car, no matter how much I like it. It has all the lousy stuff, except the look. Remember the Proton Juara...a big failure! Though Nissan still carry a brand with reliability in its account!
The Cube's interior is an inheritance from the March. Even the digital aircon control is similar to what you get in the Almera. One cool thing though, when you push the start button, the car fires up with the RPM and speedometer doing a full swing from left to right. And yes, this could cost you that additional RM10k which you don't get from the Almera! Gear stalk is mounted on the steering column, freeing up space in the center. The driver or passenger can just lean to one side, without anything in the middle. Parking brake is activated using a foot pedal as well. Full spec version even get a moonroof, allowing our hot sun to penetrate if you wish to open the cover. It is not an operable roof, just a half-panoramic glass which could be a redundant in our weather.
Though the Cube has some sort of MPV look, it is still a "kei-car", thus don't expect it to haul your family luggage well in it. The engine could be a struggle if you load the car up with 5 adults and luggages. The boot space here is tiny, but golf bag could be fitted in its vertical position due to ample height.
If you really like the car, do shop around, as parallel importers have brought in quite a few variants. Some with basic spec where the aircon control is all manual dials. There are 2 different interior colours, beige and black. With the high price tag of this re-conditioned car, not too sure it could ever get popular as one could get a brand new C-segment car here, with full warranty, and at least another 5 years of hassle free motoring. One thing to note though, the pre-facelift version that was brought in by Mitsuoka is still asking for about RM70k (brand new about RM82k), for an unit that is almost 10-year-old. Worth it or not, you decide, nerd!
