Nissan Cube

It may remind you of a Tamagotchi, but the new Nissan Cube (from $13,990) is one of the best vehicles on the market — and we think it's the epitome of man-cute. (Think of man-cute like an iPod — not exactly a form inspired by razor blades, tattoos, and beer pong — but deeply rewarding and functional to use.) With its enthusiastic, "inspired by a bulldog wearing sunglasses" face and asymmetrical rear, at first glance the cube looks more like a punchline than a car. Its stats, too, are underwhelming: 122 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual or CVT gearbox, and fuel economy around 28 city, 32 highway mpg. A Chevy Cobalt will do better. But dig deeper, and you've got a contender.

Read on for coverage and photos from the Cube launch in Miami.

Outside, the window frames are artfully curved, like a picture frame surrounding its passengers. The smooth sides work as a chick magnet better than most hot rods. And the rear door swings out to one side which helps quick curbside loading after a vicious breakup. It's been designed to look like this; and while a Ferrari is designed to go fast, the cube is designed to be a useful small car that will get attention.

Inside, the rear seat slides forward and backward, reclines, and swallows our 6' 2" frame without gnashing our knees on the seat in front. Nissan designer Mark Cogswell says that the inside was inspired by a 5-seat hot tub, and while you have to pay extra for the mood lighting that cycles through the color spectrum, we see what he means. The dash is curved like the steps of a hot tub, and even the headliner is moulded to look like a drop of water. No vulgar "sporty" pretensions here.

Thoroughly modern, too, the cube will let you hook up all of the stuff you're used to — AUX connectors are standard on all models, while available technology includes the "Nissan Intelligent Key" with push button start, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six speakers, XM satellite radio, and an iPod interface.

And to help keep this box from getting crumpled, all cubes get safety features like traction control, vehicle stability control, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, and ABS. If the box gets crumpled, six airbags should keep you safe.
Driving around Miami a man in a tacky BMW convertible, kitted out to the nines with portholes, awful bodykit, and other craptastic accessories motioned for us to roll down the window at a stoplight.

"I…Nothin' like it in Miami," he said, before driving away in a cloud of blue smoke. If we think it's cool and he thinks it's cool, there'll be no love from the fashionistas who've welded their lululemon-coated backsides into a small Audi or MINI Cooper. Perfect, because we think the cube will fail miserably if over-50 cougars or under-50-with-Daddy's-trust-fund get in on the fun. The cube is for those who are genuinely individual and don't mind a bit of man-cute, and lets you cruise through life without feeling boxed in.

Text & Photos By Michael Banovsky, Uncrate's new Senior Auto Editor.