2009 Nissan Cube

On the road, the Nissan Cube surprises with its cheerful capability. Steering is light, yet precise, and the Cube takes corners flatter than its ponderous profile suggests. On the freeway, it reaches highway speeds easily, though interior noise rises with speed.

With its CVT furiously humming away, the 2009 Nissan Cube happily churns out what little power and torque it has, which imparts a peppy overall feel.

Though it's no barn-burner at the track, the Nissan Cube provides just enough smiles around town, especially at the pump. The EPA estimated fuel economy is 28 city/30 highway mpg. This makes it as easy on the wallet as its MSRP is. The base model 2009 Cube 1.8 with a six-speed manual starts at $14,685 and tops out at $20,065 including destination for the Cube Krom equipped with the Xtronic CVT. Our Cube 1.8S rang the register at $16,385.

It feels more spacious inside than seems possible from outside. The seats are firm yet comfortable and the glovebox is huge,

Martinez finds a lot to like in the 2009 Nissan Cube's many details-from grocery-bag hooks to the deep well behind the reclining rear seats (the only one of our group with this feature).

Those looking for the unique and different will instantly take a liking to the Cube. It's a well-engineered vehicle with a great base price and fuel economy, but its styling is something I can't get past.

A 95-hp, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine drives the front wheels through a column-shifted four-speed automatic. An electronic motor assembly that can power the rear wheels for low-speed four-wheel drive lives under the rear floor. And 60 mph arrives in a brain-achingly slow fourteen seconds. It's not exactly the stuff of legend, and neither is the wallowy suspension or the front bench seat. But the 2009 Nissan Cube's charisma and haul-anything nature are unstoppable. Nissan's runabout trundles its way into your heart regardless of how hard you fight it.

Underneath the styling, the Nissan Cube borrows most mechanicals from the Versa, though the Cube is nearly a foot shorter than a Versa hatchback.. All 2009 Nissan Cubes come equipped with the same 122-hp 1.8-liter DOHC I-4, coupled to either a six-speed manual transaxle or an optional CVT. Equipment levels seem to be similar to the Versa as well. Though the Cube offers three model trims, each comes standard with ABS, stability and traction control, power locks and windows, six air bags, and air conditioning. Depending on the trim level, buyers can also opt for keyless entry and ignition, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a Rockford Fosgate sound system, complete with subwoofer.

The new interior is significantly more refined and bigger than the last Cube's.

The last Cube didn't feel all that tiny, but using the Versa to underpin the 2009 model and moving the wheels right out to the four corners added stretch in every direction - a few inches of wheelbase, a smidgen of elbow room, a tiny bit of headroom. (The Versa also provides the 122-hp, 1.8-liter in-line four that will power the U.S.-spec Cube, a big bump over the 107 hp in the Japanese Cube.) Still, snap a photo next to a six-footer, and the 2009 Nissan Cube looks like the little box it really is - actually it's more than a foot shorter than the compact Versa.

Its size, light controls, and insanely tight turning circle also make it an excellent city car. It's easy to park and offers great visibility. The 122-hp four-cylinder is energetic enough and the optional CVT does a good job keeping the engine nicely in its power band when accelerating. The 2009 Nissan Cube is easily the best-driving entry in the box-on-wheels segment.

We like the Cube. It has a blend of styling, price (starting just over $14,000), and driving pleasure that should fit many people's needs. It's far from sporty but has wonderful charm nonetheless. If you're looking for a funky, inexpensive car that is decent to drive, the 2009 Nissan Cube may be your perfect box.

The Cube Krm starts off as a Cube S and is powered by the same 122-horsepower 1.8L DOHC inline four cylinder (projected fuel economy is around 30 mpg highway) mated to Nissan's Xtronic CVT transmission as the rest of the Cube lineup. The exterior Krmization includes a three-bar chrome grille, two-bar chrome front bumper grille, and integrated front and rear fascias. The exterior flourishes also include special body side sills, a unique rear roof spoiler, exclusive 16-inch aluminum alloys, and of course, a Krm rear emblem. Inside, the 2009 Nissan Cube Krm comes with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, special interior fabrics, a six speaker sound system with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer, titanium-look accents, aluminum trimmed pedals, and a 20-color interior illumination system.

Nissan's 2009 Cube 1.8S has a 1.8-liter, 122-horsepower engine mated to a CVT. The 2009 Scion xB comes equipped with a 158-horse, 2.4-liter engine and a four-speed automatic.

The smaller-engined, CVT-churning Cube brings up the rear, with 9.3- and 17.2-second runs, respectively.

Awkward proportions and asymmetric styling prove big barriers that mask the 2009 Nissan Cube's many strengths-including a lively drive, impressive interior room, and attractive details.