Nissan Announces 2012 Cube Pricing

Like us, maybe you’ve heard rumors about the Nissan Cube’s demise. Fear not, the automaker’s funky box on wheels returns for its fourth model year. A new limited-edition package is the biggest news for Cube’s lineup, which also sees a modest price increase and a couple new features for 2012.

The 1.8 S Indigo Limited Edition package includes special Indigo seat trim, 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a navigation system with 5-inch touch-screen, RearView Monitor, upgraded speakers with Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and a USB port. The package retails for $1,900.

Other new-for-2012 features include Nissan’s Intelligent Key as standard equipment on SL models and an attached armrest that’s now standard on S and SL models. Expanded exterior color choices include Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red and Bali Blue.

Prices increase slightly for 2012 and are as follows:

Cube 1.8 with manual transmission: $14,980
Cube 1.8 S with manual transmission: $16,420
Cube 1.8 S with CVT: $17,420
Cube 1.8 SL with CVT: $18,520

Model-year 2011 Cube prices started at $14,740 for the base model. All prices listed exclude destination fees. The 2012 Nissan Cube is on sale now.

2012 Nissan Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

For the 2012 model year, Nissan will refresh the Maxima, add a Special Edition Package to the Rogue and increase the standard features on the Leaf. The automaker released the planned model-year changes for its lineup this week.

Nissan also plans to continue to sell the old Versa hatchback alongside the completely redesigned Versa sedan, which was first shown at the 2011 New York International Auto Show.

Continue reading below for more detailed information.

Breaking Down Nissan's Year End Sales Event

Nissan has traditionally given bigger discounts than its more frugal Japanese cousins — Toyota and Honda — and for December, that yuletide tradition continues.

Nissan is offering a wide array of hefty cash-back and low-financing options across its entire lineup, barring new entries like the Juke or the GT-R sports car. Relatively inexpensive models like the Versa have up to $2,000 cash back. The relatively new but slow-selling Cube also gets $500 cash back. The Altima Hybrid, which is sold in limited markets, has up to $4,000 cash back on it, depending on the region.

Unlike some brands, which are nearly done with the switch to the 2011 model year, nearly 40% of Nissan’s inventory is from the 2010 model year, so these 2010 deals should be somewhat easy to come by.

All highlighted models have 0% to 3.9% financing for 60 to 72 months, depending on the model. Most of these deals are good until Jan. 3.

If you’re looking for a lease deal, you may be somewhat disappointed. We could find only three models – the Altima, Rouge and Sentra – that have subvented leasing plans, and all three require largish money-down agreements.

For more detailed info, continue reading below.

2011 Nissan Cube Priced at $14,290

For the 2011 model year, the Nissan Cube gets a navigation system added to its features list, along with some slight price increases.

Overall, the base 1.8 model remains unchanged, but the price is $300 higher for the trim, a standard increase for most model year changeovers. But the Cube has been a dissapointment in the sales arena, routinely being outsold by the Kia Soul, which is similarly priced and equipped.

The Cube's new SD card-based navigation system comes with a 5-inch color touch-screen, real-time traffic info, USB port and XM Satellite Radio. The feature is a part of a $1,850 Preferred Package on SL trims and comes standard on the 1.8 S Krōm Edition.

For 2011, the Cube's combined fuel economy rating with a continuously variable automatic transmission increases to 29 mpg. (Previously, it was 28 mpg.) The 2011 Nissan Cube is on sale now at dealerships nationwide. For more pricing, continue reading below:

Decals Make Nissan Cube, Juke More Eccentric

If you don’t think you’ll stick out enough in traffic while driving a Nissan Cube, the automaker is lending a hand by offering new graphic decals.

The automaker’s new Nissan Graphics customization program offers different wraps for the 2011 Cube and the upcoming 2011 Nissan Juke. The Nissan Frontier will also get wraps later this year.

The wraps come in a variety of side panel, roof and hood graphics that you can personalize at Nissan’s website. Each graphic ranges from $95 to $315, not including dealer installation costs.

The decals are provided by Original Wraps, the same company that makes graphics for Ford’s customization program.

The Cube’s graphics are available today. Graphics for the Juke will become available in time for the vehicle’s launch later this month.

Now You Can Add Enticing Graphics to Your Nissan (USA Today)

Recall Alert: 2009-2010 Nissan Cube

Nissan is recalling 46,000 Cube compact cars from the 2009 and 2010 model years because of excessive fuel leakage after a rear crash test, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Any fuel escaping from a vehicle can lead to a fire. The company is recalling Cubes built from Jan. 30, 2009, to July 30, 2010. Dealers will attach a special protector to the gasoline recirculation tube, which will prevent leakage.

The recall will begin on or before Aug. 30. Owners will be contacted via mail. For more information, owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Mileage Challenge 6.3: Final Thoughts

Tooling around in four subcompacts all day to rack up miles for our latest Mileage Challenge left us with many comparisons between the 2011 Ford Fiesta SES, 2010 Honda Fit Sport, 2010 Nissan Cube Krom and 2010 Scion xD. Some impressed us and some did not. Below, we share which cars stood out and our picks if we have to spend another day behind the wheel of one of these subcompacts.

Mileage Challenge 6.2: The Results

For our most recent mileage challenge we tested four subcompacts to see how they stacked up when the wheels hit the real world. This challenge’s players include the all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta SES with an impressive 38 mpg rating to back up, 2010 Honda Fit Sport, 2010 Nissan Cube Krom and 2010 Scion xD — all equipped with automatic transmissions.

As rated by the EPA, the Ford Fiesta gets the best fuel economy of the bunch at 29/38 mpg city/highway. But could it get those numbers in the real world?

Mileage Challenge 6.1: Subcompacts

For those who want to downsize into a smaller car, there are now significantly more options to do so and not be left in a bean-sized and shaped econo-box. Enter our most recent mileage challenge where we picked four examples of such cars, including the 2011 Ford Fiesta SES hatchback, 2010 Honda Fit Sport, 2010 Nissan Cube Krom and 2010 Scion xD.

This group of subcompact cars demonstrates that you don’t have to sacrifice many features when downsizing or looking for a budget buy; our Mileage Challenge contenders come with power windows and locks, air conditioning, antilock brakes, side curtain airbags and more. As we discovered while driving these cars in the city and on the highway during disaster-movie-like weather, some don’t drive like a small car, either.

All eyes were on the Fiesta because it’s a new contender in the segment and has a lot to prove, including backing up its highest-of-the-group 38 mpg highway rating. A 40-mpg version is available but not tested here. Of our Mileage Challenger contenders, the Scion xD and Honda Fit Sport have the second-best highway rating of 33 mpg; the base Fit is rated at 35 mpg on the highway. The Cube rounds out our group with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway. You can see a breakdown of each car we had in the fleet and how they measure up below.

As we’ve reported in previous mileage drives, the disclaimer with every mileage rating is, “Your mileage may vary,” and it’s no joke. We’ve tested some cars that easily surpass their rating, and others that don’t come close. You’ll just have to stay tuned until tomorrow to find out if these subcompacts delivered on their promise.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Nissan Cube Krom

Although the 2010 Nissan Cube remains largely unchanged from the 2009 model year, Nissan has added another trim level, the Krom (rhymes with “home,” not “prom”). The Krom adds a healthy $6,450 to the base model and is nearly $3,000 more than the previously highest trim level. What do you get for all this extra money? And does any of it justify a Cube costing over $20,000? Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder gives his take in this review.

2010 Nissan Cube Krom Review