Car Talk Names Winner in Ugliest Car Contest

Last month we invited you to join us in the democratic ridicule of finalists in the Ugliest Car Contest organized by Tom and Ray Magliozzi, hosts of NPR's "Car Talk" radio show. The votes have been tallied, and it's time to inaugurate the ultimate unattractive automobile currently in production: the Nissan Juke.

What about the Juke offended the most? Those bulbous, froglike headlights situated atop the hood. Not only did voters consider the headlights homely, but some noted the additional creep factor of feeling like they were being watched in the driver's seat. It seems some people just can't take a Juke.

In second place, things also didn't shape up well for the Nissan Cube, whose right angles were all wrong for voters. Finally, in third, the Lincoln MKT's aggressive grille was off-putting for voters who felt the crossover was gnashing its teeth at them.

It should be noted that the Fiat Multipla, which was winning handily as of Jan. 23, was disqualified when contest organizers realized it was no longer in production.

For the full rundown on the Car Talk Ugliest Car Contest, click here.

Related
Car Talk: What’s the Ugliest Car?
Top 10 Ugliest Car Grilles
Top 10 Ugly Cars

Car Talk: What's the Ugliest Car?

Just as a person's beauty is only skin deep, a car's is in the eye of the pink-slip holder. Still, there's just no denying that some have a face only an owner could love. Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the hosts of NPR's "Car Talk" radio show, solicited input online to determine the ugliest automobile currently in production.

Based on the nominations received, the field was narrowed to 10: Chevrolet Spark, Fiat Multipla, Infiniti QX56, Kia Soul, Lincoln MKT, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke (photo above), Toyota Prius v and the Smart ForTwo. At last check, the Multipla was trouncing the uncomely competition with nearly 39% of the vote. Its nearest opponent is the Juke with nearly 26%; the balance of the nominees' vote tallies were in the single digits.

Is the Multipla being unfairly maligned in the face of an uglier opponent? Or perhaps you wish to contribute to the pile-on? Click here to cast your vote.

Related
Car Talk: Top 20 Signs You Should Avoid a Garage
Car Talk: Top 10 Most Annoying Things Other Drivers Do
Top 10 Ugly Cars

Kia Soul: Last Box Standing?

It seemed like the automotive industry was all about thinking inside the box during the last few years, with squared-off entries from Honda, Scion, Nissan and Kia entering the market. Since the midsize Honda Element debuted in 2002, it's been followed by the compact Scion xB and subcompact Nissan Cube and Kia Soul to much initial fanfare and even commercials with lovable dancing rodents.

But is the box-on-wheels party over? It looks like consumers have cooled to the idea of driving such distinct cars. Model-year 2011 was the Element's last, and this past spring Toyota announced it's canceling the xB. Are the Cube and Soul next?

Nissan Invitation Concept at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show

• Looks like: The child of a Honda Fit and Nissan Leaf  
• Defining characteristics: Prominent trapezoidal grille with headlight cutouts  
• Ridiculous features: Around View Monitor seems sort of unnecessary  
• Chances of being mass-produced: Launching in Europe in 2013

Are you over Nissan's subcompact Cube? The Nissan Invitation Concept may be what's next in this class from the automaker, but don't get your hopes up just yet.

What you're seeing here is an ordinary-looking subcompact hatchback, though it's just a concept for the moment. The vehicle is coming to the European market next year, where it will complement Nissan's Micra subcompact and Juke compact. Besides the Cube, the Japanese carmaker technically doesn't have a small hatchback offering in the U.S. since the Nissan Versa is considered a compact. That means there's a possibility that the model may be coming here, too, but Nissan made no mention of a U.S. release.

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.