First Impressions
If any truth exists in the saying “it’s all about how you accessorize,” the 2010 Cube (view photos) holds a lot of fashion clout.
Now in its second year of production, Nissan’s marketing focus is on the Cube’s numerous accessories that turn this quirky 5-passenger ride into a personalized mobile device. And to really set your cube apart from the others, the Krom Edition offers an edgier integrated body design and unique interior and exterior colors.
The design is something of a geometry lesson, filled with asymmetrical shapes from the curvy dash to the rippled interior ceiling to the signature wrap-around window. In fact, one of the Cube’s best features is that unlike competitors such as the Honda Element and Scion xB, the boxy ride’s rear door opens refrigerator-style even if parallel parked in tight spaces. That’s a useful design touch in itself.
Artistic and individual flare aside, the Cube remains practical with combined city/highway fuel estimates of 26 mpg and 58 cubic feet of storage space when the seats are folded down.
Pricing, Trims and Options
As with last year, the Cube is offered in four trims: base, S, SL and the Krom Edition.
Starting at $13,990, the base model remains unchanged with air conditioning and a CD player as highlights. However, Nissan has raised the standards for the S and SL. The S trim starts at $15,350 and includes the Interface System for iPods, speed-sensitive volume control and two additional speakers. Both the S and SL benefit from the addition of Bluetooth and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
The SL trim starts at $17,450 and comes with the Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and the optional Preferred Package, which includes push-button start, an intelligent key and the entertainment technology found on the Krom Edition.
The Krom Edition starts at $21,120 and features a different grille, integrated bumper fascia and a rear roof spoiler. The interior has black and gray seating and an upgraded audio system with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and a 4.3-inch color display that also serves as a RearView monitor.
The Cube has over 40 different accessory items such as interior accent lighting, aerodynamic body kits and custom wheels. A few of these are presented as packages, like the Cargo Version Package ($3,200) that offers a removable second row for those times when you need to stow a bunch of gear and go.
Interior Features
My test drive was the 2010 Cube Krom Edition. Last year I tested the 2009 Cube 1.8 SL model, and it was interesting to spend time in the highest-end Cube to put these vehicles in perspective. The darker seating material on the Krom gives the interior a simultaneously more serious yet sleek appearance. By contrast, I compared the seats in the SL trim to an over-sized kiddy ride. The aluminum-trimmed pedals add authentic edginess.
The Cube offers a very tall 6-way manual seat for the driver with a 4-way manual seat for the front passenger. Between the short hood and wrap-around rear window, visibility is excellent at every angle. The second row features a tiered or theatre-style “lounge sofa” that reclines. It all makes the Cube a great vehicle for shorter people or kids. Since the Cube is marketed at drivers between 18-25 years old, we think Nissan has squarely hit their mark.
If you’re serious about utilizing the 58 cubic feet of rear cargo space, opt for the $189 cargo area organizer, a divider that inserts into the cargo floor to create a leveled floor when the second row seats are folded down. The ability to access 70 cu-ft of flat cargo space is what gives the Scion xB a foothold over the Cube. However, with the cargo area organizer addition, the Cube can one-up the Scion here because its hinged-side door doesn’t inhibit headspace like the xB’s tailgate. Those with a cake or flower business needing to maximize cargo height should consider the package that removes the second row altogether.
The digital song information displayed on the 4.3-inch audio display screen is easy to read and accompanied by simple graphics. Other glowing interior niceties include the floating pod instrument panel with a neon blue color in one gauge and white in the other, making it easier for the driver to distinguish the speedometer from the tachometer at night. With the 20-color Interior Accent Lighting that washes your car in a kaleidoscope of colors, the inside of a Cube can get pretty flashy.
I still don’t understand the purpose of the $25 shag dash topper, which is just a swatch of carpeting velcroed to the dash. Throwing your keys or phone on the thing doesn’t work and laying loose change on the Cube’s carpet toupee results in coins slipping through the vents like pennies into a piggy bank. To me it’s nothing more than a tchotchke on par with the VW Bug’s in-dash flower vase. Cute, but inessential.
Safety, Quality and Reliability
As with last year’s model, the 2010 Cube earned top or “Good” performance scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in frontal, side, rollover and rear crash testing – earning better scores than the entire Nissan sedan lineup. The NHTSA gives the Cube 5-stars for driver side and rear impact and 4-stars for frontal driver, passenger and rollover tests.
Standard safety features on the Cube include:
- Six airbags
- Zone Body construction
- Front and rear crumple zones
- High-strength steel side-door guard beams
- Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
- Anti-lock Braking System
- Vehicle Dynamic Control
- Traction Control System
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Additional safety features available for the Cube are Nissan's Vehicle Security System and the Rear Sonar System.
In terms of Predicted Reliability, J.D. Power and Associates awarded the 2010 Cube three out of five 5 Power Circles. That means you can expect average reliability since the Predicted Reliability rating is a forecast of how reliable a newer vehicle might be over time.