Nissan Cube - Third Generation (2009-present)

Third Generation (2009-present)

The third generation Nissan Cube was revealed for the first time at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, on November 19, 2008. While this is the third generation of the vehicle, it is being offered for export markets, including European and North American markets, for the first time. The Cube went on sale in Japan on November 19, 2008 and the U.S. on May 5, 2009.

Brian Cooley shows the 2009 Nissan Cube 1.8, will also featured the 2009 CNET web news Car Tech.

The updated Nissan Cube features more rounded and curved styling cues than its predecessors. This evolution is most striking in the rear bumper area, in the asymmetrical rear window, which wraps around to the passenger side, and in the oval-shaped driver and front passenger windows. The rear hatch is hinged to open along its vertical axis, towards the curb. This helps loading and unloading when street parking in a crowded urban environment. The hatch hinge is on the right side for right-hand-drive countries such as Japan and the UK, but it is on the left side for left-hand-drive markets such as North America.

Seating capacity remains at five. According to Nissan designers, the interior is inspired by the 'enveloping curves of a jacuzzi to promote a comfortable and social atmosphere.' Design cues include a water ripple motif that appears in the headliner and is repeated in details like the speaker covers and cup holders. Nissan has developed an extended line of accessories for Cube to encourage personalization. These include multicolor appliqués that can be placed around air vents and window switches, utility hooks and elastic bands in different colors, variable color LED accent lighting for the footwell and cup holders, and a sculptured piece of color-coordinated shag carpet that sits in a shallow well on the top of the dash.

The third generation Cube is built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance's front-wheel-drive B platform and powered by a 1.5 L HR engine, 16-valve engine with 109 PS (80 kW; 108 bhp). For North America, it uses the 122 hp (91 kW; 124 PS) 1.8 L four-cylinder engine of the MR family, while for Europe it uses the HR 1.6 petrol and 1.5 dCi Diesel. All are also used for the Nissan Note and Tiida/Versa. Depending on the engine, it is available with a 5- or 6-speed manual transmission or Nissan's automatic Continuously Variable Transmission. The Cube is capable of averaging 20 km/l (5 l/100 km; 47 mpg) in Japan and doing 28 mpg (8.4 l/100 km) city, and 30 mpg (7.8 l/100 km) highway with its Xtronic CVT transmission. The e-4WD trim contains an electric rear wheel drive motor to assist the gasoline engine powered front wheels.

As a result of power shortages in Japan caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the 2012 Cube made a delayed appearance in the United States in January 2012. The 2012 model has no mechanical or styling changes, but Nissan did introduce a special edition version (the S Indigo, which includes a navigation system, rear view monitor, upgraded audio system, intelligent key and upgraded wheels) and added new colors (Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red, Bali Blue) and new equipment features to certain trim levels. Pricing of the base model went up $240.