Nissan Cube 1.6 LDN review

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Nissan Cube 1.6 LDN Road Test

Test date 05 January 2010 Price as tested £14,600

For Extrovert styling, affordable price, comfortable ride, airy cabin

Against Mediocre performance, disappointing fuel economy, limited boot space

The peculiar thing about the Nissan Cube is that, in its first incarnation, it wasn’t very cuboid at all; if anything, it looked like a miniature Mitsubishi Space Wagon.

That all changed in 2002, when a second-generation Cube was launched that lived up to its cubic billing. With funky square sides and, oddly, asymmetric bodywork, the Cube quickly became a cult hit in Japan, the only country where it was officially sold.

Inevitably, given the previous generation’s success, Nissan has allowed the new Cube to be sold further afield. On sale now, 2000 Cubes will be available in the UK this year, while throughout mainland Europe a left-hooker will also be offered – the retention of the asymmetry necessitating different bodywork between the two variants.

The Cube is of supermini length, but its extrovert style means Nissan is demanding a rather higher price. And as befits a lifestyle car, there are myriad personalising options. Our test car, like all Cubes for the time being, is powered by a 1.6-litre engine, with a 1.5-litre diesel following in May.