2010 Nissan cube Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Nissan Cube overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 Cube, and includes Nissan Cube safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Nissan’s unique little Cube wagon returns for 2010 with a host of changes, including a new Sapphire Black exterior color option. Inside, a few key features, such as steering wheel-mounted controls and a six-speaker sound system, have filtered down to the S model’s list of standard amenities, while the top-of-the-line Cube Krom Edition benefits from the addition of a rearview camera, a USB port and a keyless push-button ignition system.

Listed among the Cube’s available trim levels is the relatively basic 1.8. However, with the exception of ho-hum 15-inch steel wheels, this version of the quirky Cube arrives nicely equipped, sporting features such as a driver’s seat with manual height adjustment, a CD player, air conditioning, power door locks and windows, and deeply tinted rear windows. Keyless entry and cloth upholstery are also part of the deal, but you’ll have to pay extra if you want fog lights factored into the equation.

Next in line is the Cube 1.8 S, offered this year with new standard features including hands-free Bluetooth calling capability, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with secondary audio controls, and a six-speaker sound system that’s iPod-compatible. These items are in addition to the amenities already delivered with every S model, such as a reclining and sliding rear seat, cruise control, a fold-down armrest for the driver, and illuminated vanity mirrors.

If the car buyer in you is still hankering for more, including several creature comforts, the Cube 1.8 SL is probably better suited for your tastes. This is where you’ll find automatic climate control, automatic headlights, fog lights, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in lieu of the lesser trims’ manual gearbox. But perhaps the real differentiators are the options, among which are a rearview camera, a USB port, rear park assist, a Rockford Fosgate audio upgrade, and XM satellite radio.

That brings us to the 2010 Cube 1.8 S Krom Edition, which Nissan prices as a separate model but is essentially an option package for the 1.8 S. Features include a sporty body kit, leather interior trim, a set of 16-inch alloys filling the wheel wells, and that booming Rockford Fosgate stereo. New additions for 2010 are a push-button ignition system, as well as the USB port and rearview camera.

Momentum for Nissan’s cute Cube comes from an eager little 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that boasts 122 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. All models are built on a front-wheel-drive platform and feature either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission, commonly referred to as a CVT. The latter has been engineered to always operate at the most efficient rpm, and EPA fuel economy estimates prove that the technology works. Cube models fitted with the CVT are expected to average 27 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the freeway, while those equipped with the six-speed manual earn slightly lower ratings of 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The Nissan Cube has been on sale for since last year, meaning there’s plenty of data upon which reliability predictions can be based. Last year, Consumer Reports suggested buyers could expect average dependability from their new Cubes. That rating has dropped to the bottom of the barrel for 2010, as owners report transmission, suspension, brake, and power equipment problems. Interestingly, J. D. Power and Associates has held steady with its average rating, and even took the added step of naming the Cube 2010’s Most Appealing Compact Multi Purpose Vehicle.

Thankfully, for interested shoppers, the safety side of the Cube equation is much more impressive and balanced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recognize the 2010 model with high marks across the board. The IIHS has named the Cube one of its Top Safety Picks. Behind the scores and awards are features including antilock brakes, six airbags, and stability control.

It may not be the fastest, most agile or attractive ride on the street, but we’re curiously drawn in by the 2010 Cube’s off-center character. Perhaps it’s a desire to stand out from the crowd, a feat that not even the new Kia Soul accomplishes quite as well. Plus, with impressive safety scores and an award from J.D. Power and Associates, the Cube has some noteworthy accolades to its credit. But there’s also a horrible reliability rating in there from Consumer Reports, a point that should not be overlooked. Until that issue is corrected, we recommend opting for an alternative with a stronger record of dependability, even if that means mixing a bit more vanilla into the final recipe.

By Thom Blackett