Nissan Cube Priced at $13,990

Nissan has priced its new boxy car, the Cube, at an affordable $13,990.

The Cube will be available in four trim levels when it goes on sale in May: base, S, SL and Krom. Every Cube comes with a 122-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder and a slew of safety features, including active head restraints, side-impact and side curtain airbags, electronic stability control and antilock brakes.

The base Cube comes with fairly routine amenities: power windows, locks and mirrors, keyless entry, air conditioning and 15-inch steel wheels. The base version is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. To get the continuously variable automatic, you have to upgrade to the S trim.

The S trim is priced at $14,690. For that price, you get body-colored mirrors, cruise control and upgraded interior upholstery. The CVT adds another $1,000.

The $16,790 SL trim comes standard with the CVT, 16-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, iPod integration and an upgraded stereo system. The SL Preferred Package ($1,600) adds another layer of luxury: push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio and rear parking sensors.

The tricked-out Krom edition costs $19,360. That price premium brings bright chrome trim, unique 16-inch chrome wheels, checkered upholstery for the seats, ambient interior lighting and standard Bluetooth.

In addition, Cube customers are offered more than 40 accessories for customization.

The Cube enters a rather specific segment costing significantly less than the Scion xB ($15,750) but slightly more than the also-new Kia Soul, which starts out at $13,300 and can be equipped with a more powerful engine.

We initially awarded the Cube our top pick among the three but some, Suburban Dad included, think the Soul bests the Cube in most respects. It seems the battle of the boxes is on.

Comments

I saw Kia and the Cube and to me, the Kia is better. Also, I like the xB the best inside, but EPA is not too good there. Kia's design is better in terms of visual presentation and some components. Look at waterfall windshield of xB - it has problems of breaking. Kia's one is more traditional, car-like.
On the plus side for Kia, while both cars considered NEW, the Kia is actually road-tested in Korea because by the time it will start selling here, it would be about 1/2 year sinse sale started there. So, some complaints will be taken care of.

I have not seen te Cube up close but I have had the chance to see the Soul. I agree with Tony that the Soul has a better visual presentation. Kia is starting to come out with some really neat vehicle and I anticipate that they will be very competitive over the next few years. I thnk the cube will have some appeal to those that miss the old xB or think it is what the new xB should have been. It's too bad that the base model doesn't come with an automatic for the 13,990 price. If it did they'd sell a lot of them.

Forgot to mention the Soul that I saw was a European model with a diesel engine. Dealer said it get's over 40mpg.

As a 25yo single male, I think I am the target market for this car. And I love it! I saw one the other day with manufacturer plates and it made more of a stunning statement on the road than it did at the LA Auto Show. It's unique, funky, looks roomy, and at $13.9k is an excellent value with all those features.

I looked at the Kia, and it just seemed too dull. Not bad and a good attempt, but the Cube just had so much more charm to it