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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Nissan cube

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Overview

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2009 Nissan cube Review

By KBB.com Editors

It is a good time to be an entry-level car buyer. At one time saving money on your new-car purchase meant settling for subpar comfort, safety and style. If you need proof that those days are over, just look at the 2009 Nissan Cube. Despite a starting price under $15,000, the Cube offers a host of advanced safety features, a roomy five-passenger interior, an impressive standard equipment list and a bevy of high-end options and accessories. Maybe the most striking aspect of the Nissan Cube is its design. Blocky car design is nothing new, but risky features like an asymmetrical rear end, modern iPod-like lines and an intense attention to details help the Cube stand apart from the other slickly-styled economy wagons out there.

You'll Like This Car If...

You'll like the Nissan Cube if you need modestly priced transportation but also have a keen eye for design. At this price it's hard to find a more stylish, if somewhat polarizing, design than the Nissan Cube. Fashion-conscious buyers will also like the wide variety of accessories available for the Cube.

You May Not Like This Car If...

You may not like the Nissan Cube if maximum fuel economy is your top concern. Other entry-level cars - or example, the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa - deliver better economy at a similar price. Also, the Cube's blocky asymmetrical shape may not suit everyone's taste.

What's Significant About This Car?

The 2009 Nissan Cube may seem like a late comer to the square-car game, but it has actually been on sale in Japan since 1998, preceding the boxy Scion xB and Honda Element. The version America gets is the third-generation Cube, which is bigger and more refined for international consumption.

Driving the cube

Driving Impressions The 2009 Nissan Cube's road manners could best be described as inoffensive. There is acceptable power when accelerating, the steering is reasonably light and responsive and the suspension delivers a...

supple ride even over broken stretches of pavement. Driving enthusiasts won't find much to get excited about, but as daily transportation the Cube works great. At freeway speeds, wind noise is noticeable, but no worse than one would expect of a car in the Cube's price range. Minor quibbles aside, the Nissan Cube excels at providing a pleasant ride, especially within the narrow confines of an urban environment where its tight turning radius, compact dimensions and optional rear parking sensors make the Cube maneuverable and easy to park.

Favorite Features

Styling
Making a strong impression with your looks is good, but doing so without spending a fortune is great. Love it or hate it, the Nissan Cube provides an undoubtedly eye-catching design at a price almost any car buyer can afford.

Rippling Headliner
With only a cursory glance one might overlook the unique form of the Cube's headliner. Even though a flat headliner would have been perfectly acceptable, Nissan's designers decided to simulate the ripples created by dropping a pebble in water. The result is an interesting conversation piece and an indicator of Nissan's commendable attention to detail.

2009 Nissan cube Details

Interior

Inside, the Cube's designers clearly put efforts into creating a unique and stylish space. Rounded shapes, interesting textures and a headliner and speaker covers that recall the ripples caused by dropping a pebble in a lake create a cabin that exudes high fashion. Aesthetics aside, the five-passenger Cube makes the most of its compact exterior dimension with an impressively roomy interior. Head and shoulder room is ample in all seating positions. Leg room is good too, especially in the rear seats, which recline and slide several inches fore and aft, helping balance the space requirements of passengers and cargo.

Exterior

In terms of exterior design, the 2009 Nissan Cube both embodies and defies the implications of its name. Its shape is generally cube-like, most notably when viewed in profile. Yet, the angles of its body are softened with curved corners, round fenders and head and tail lights that look like elongated ovals. The most interesting feature is an asymmetrical rear section that features wrap-around glass on one side and a body-color pillar on the other. Buyers looking to enhance the Cube's visual impact can choose from a host of exterior accessories or opt for the super-stylish factory-modified Krom edition.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Standard features found on the base 2009 Nissan Cube include a two-speaker audio system with auxiliary input, air conditioning, power locks with remote entry and 15-inch steel wheels. The S trim adds a four-speaker audio system, body color mirrors and cruise control. SL models get automatic climate control, a six-speaker audio system with iPod interface, automatic headlights and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Krom trim offers a Rockford Fosgate audio system with subwoofer, 20-color interior lighting package, steering wheel audio controls and a body kit with rear spoiler. Standard safety features include stability and traction controls, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and six airbags.

Optional Equipment

There are few options offered for the Nissan Cube, requiring buyers to move up to the next-higher trim level to add equipment. The exception is the Preferred Package, offered for the SL trim, that adds a six-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, rear parking sensors, XM Satellite radio, keyless entry and engine start and fog lights. Fog lights are also offered for the base and S trims. Small businesses might appreciate the special-order Cargo option, offered for the base Cube, which deletes the rear seats, armrests, cupholders and seatbelts, transforming the Cube into an efficient delivery vehicle.

Under the Hood

There is one engine offered for the 2009 Nissan Cube, a 1.8-liter four cylinder rated at 122 horsepower. Power is acceptable for a small, inexpensive and fuel-efficient car, but those who value rapid acceleration may be disappointed by the Cube's performance. On base and S trims, a six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is optional on the S Trim and standard on SL and Krom trims. The CVT does a good job in maximizing the engine's output and actually offers better fuel economy than the manual transmission, but some buyers may be put off by the way the engine seems to race under hard acceleration.

1.8-liter in-line 4
122 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
127 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/30 (CVT), 24/29 (manual)

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2009 Nissan cube Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.3

Out of 10

Based on 85 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.4/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.5/10

Styling

9.6/10

Fun and Unique

By MS (MN) on Sunday, July 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 36,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Fun, Unique, Good Gas Mileage, Roomy, and cheap"

Cons: "No Horsepower and in Windy Cond. it is bad"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I have driven my Cube for about 4 years. It has been reliable and fun. It is roomy and comfortable. It has many options and great room for storage. If you have a larger family you may need more storage space, but I love that I have been able to haul many things a car could not. The only room for improvement would be horsepower, tire size (new ones are spendy) and in windy conditions it isn't aero dynamic. I have all in all enjoyed my cube and would recommend it to others! Happy Driving!"

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ATTENTION GETTER CLOWN CAR

By Donna J (AR) on Sunday, July 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 90,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, roomy interior, conversation starter"

Cons: "low to ground, cross winds, gas fill location."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I call it my clown car because it reminds me of the circus clown cars. I rarely go anywhere that someone does not ask me how I like it, or make some comment about it. How do I like it? I love it! I have hip issues and this car is perfect for me; not too high and not too low. Everyone is amazed at how much room it has inside. My sister owns a PT cruiser and her husband's head brushes the roof when he drives it, but he had left over head space in my cube. Turn radius great, comfy to drive, does not feel like a small car; have taken it on many long trips. Plenty of passing power. Plenty of storage room, seats lay down, very happy with it. After test driving 2 Kia Souls, which was the car I thought I wanted, I drove the cube and fell in love. Cube owners are fun folks; we wave at each other when we see another cube. What I do not like: Gas fill on passenger side means my painful hip has to go further to fill, the gas cap release button is really low and hard for me to reach without opening my door, a heavy person would find getting in or out of the back seats a little more challenging than the front; a little higher and not as much open door space but plenty of leg room. Strong cross winds do affect it and it sits low. I have hit the bottom of the car going over a speed bump and once straddling a chunk of tire on the highway, which my Ford Ranger would have gone over with no problem. That round shag carpet thingy on the dash, ugly, but it is removable. I just got used to it and it does hold things you might want to lay there. If you are looking for a small economical car that can save you gas money running around town but is comfortable enough for the long trips, test drive a cube before you buy."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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NOW OVER 40000 MILES STILL OK

By micky (PA) on Friday, May 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,100

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "MANY"

Cons: "0"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"The wifes 2009 krom still looks and runs good but maybe time to trade, so I ask if we could trade it in for a new car for her, she said ok until she found out no more nissan cube krom in 2014 .Then she told me no you trade in your honda on a new car,**** I like my car **** YES DEAR"

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excellent car for the money

By glenbo (TX) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 4,800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "every single thing about it."

Cons: "rear drum brakes not as good as discs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Our cube is the most comfortable vehicle we've driven in many years, and we both have worked at several dealerships in the past. It's cute, quiet, has enough power, great visibility, incredible sound system, a/c that will freeze you. Both of us are good sized and we have plenty of room, there's enough room in the passenger seats for adults, and the rear storage holds all the groceries and beer we can buy. We have consistently gotten right at 35 mpg. This may be the car we keep for a long time instead of selling and buying something else every year."

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best

By david (WV) on Friday, March 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 63,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great price, fun to drive, good gas mileage,"

Cons: "love the cup holder on the drivers side"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"no complaints whatsoever on this little suv. headroom is spectacular along with nice seating and oh such great gas mileage. have had it on long trips and short trips. no complaints. nice little ride. everybody tells me its so ugly it is cute. 63000 miles on it and haven't turned a screw. just lube and oil and new tires awhile ago."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Phenomenal Car!

By Qbist (UT) on Thursday, March 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 27,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Roomy, fun, practical, economical"

Cons: "Wind noise and effect on car."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned a 2010 cube Krom edition for the past 3 years, and absolutely love it! The car is everything that anyone could ever want - economical, functional, roomy, filled with tech, quirky, fun, different, and practical. I would highly recommend this car to anyone and don't plan on getting rid of mine anytime soon."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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