Posts by Guest Bloggers

I was driving North on I-75 in Metro Detroit the other week when I saw my first Nissan Cube – I did the double take and then followed it for a few miles just to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. OK – it really isn't symmetrical back there, is it? OEMs have been known to release vehicles with minor differences from side to side, but Nissan is the first one that stands out in my memory as delivering a vehicle with intentional, significant, 'in your face', structural differences. Why?

I was curious so I did a little more research into the Cube. It appears that the differences are not structural at all. The rear glass has metal on both sides and a complete frame that it fits into. It's wrapped in glass on one side but not on the other. Basically this is just a styling feature. The wrap-around rear window brings in more light and provides better visibility for the driver. The rear hatch opens from the side rather than the top like a traditional hatch, which is also interesting. It may help those who struggle to reach a fully opened traditional hatch and may be easier to  access in certain confined parking locations.

Personally, I quite like it – designing outside the box (it's called the Cube – get it?). But I know I'm not a conventional buyer – I want a diesel and I buy for functionality and economy. I'm not looking for 22" rims and towing capacity. My non-conventional taste was re-enforced when my colleague came in and saw the Cube on my screen. "That's almost as ugly as the Aztec!"  Incidentally, I drove the Aztec for 3 years.

The well-equipped Nissan Cube has a starting price of only $14k. I would personally be running to the dealer right now if I were in the market for a new vehicle. Any Cube drivers out there? What can you tell me about your experience so far?

Posted by Chris Royle, Director, Global Product Strategy, Polk (10.02.09)