Why Are Nissans Always the Red-Headed Step-Child in Reviews?

Jono said:

Maybe Honda and Toyota pays more money for ads to the big car magazines or something.

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Consumer Reports said:

Highs: Space efficiency, access, fuel economy, transmission, turning circle.
Lows: Braking, acceleration, agility, noise, fit and finish, headlights, swing-out tailgate.

Overall Score 64 out of possible 100, Highest rated 86

Road Test
The Cube is a funky-looking small wagon similar in theme and price to the Scion xB and Kia Soul. With a high roof and wheels pushed to the far corners, it is essentially a rolling box that maximizes interior space. A low price, good fuel economy, and exceptional practicality are the Cube's salient virtues. But with its lackluster handling, acceleration, braking, and some petty annoyances, the Cube trails the xB and Soul overall.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Ride comfort & noise: At low speeds the ride is quite pleasant and road bumps are unobtrusive, but once you pick up the pace body motions become unsettled. The highway ride is fairly smooth, but the engine moans loudly while revving, and wind noise at highway speeds is relentless.
Handling: The Cube's small footprint and tight turning circle contribute to commendable maneuverability in tight situations. But in routine driving, the car feels clumsy and reluctant to change directions. Body lean sets in early while cornering, and the steering is a bit vague. Though it leans a good deal when pushed to its limits, the Cube remained secure. Thanks to a well-tuned stability-control system, this car posted a quick speed through our avoidance maneuver.

Powertrain: The 122-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine provides just adequate acceleration but a very good 28 mpg overall in mixed driving on regular fuel. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) works well and is smooth. A six-speed manual transmission is also available.

Braking: Stopping distances were quite long and more in line with what one expects from a big, heavy SUV.

Headlights: The low beams are barely adequate: They provided good intensity and width but not much reach, and they have a sharp upper cutoff. High beams project much farther forward but leave the foreground too dim.

INSIDE THE CABIN
Driving position: The high, upright driving position offers generous head and shoulder room, and the seat-height adjuster lets short drivers reach everything easily. Foot space is a little snug, and the left-door armrest intrudes on knee space. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope. The large windows should afford an ideal view out, but wide roof pillars create blind zones at all four corners. Very large outside mirrors aid the view aft.
Seat comfort and access: The front seats are nicely padded and surprisingly large, but they are a little shy of lateral support for the back and thighs. The rear seat is capacious enough for a pair of professional basketball players, and the low windowsills make it easier for children to see out. Two adults fit with ease, but three abreast will be cramped. Access is exceptional. You don't so much climb in as walk in. This car might be aimed at people in their 20s, but people in their 60s might appreciate that more.

Controls and gauges: The backlit gauges are easy to see. The climate system works well, but its controls are low and labeling is indistinct. Some radio and minor controls are awkward to reach.

Interior fit and finish: The decor is basic and austere, spruced up with a concentric-circle motif on the headliner and elsewhere, perhaps suggesting that you're sitting inside a loudspeaker cabinet. Interior plastics mostly fit together well but are hard to the touch, and our car developed some rattles. A disc of shag carpet adheres to the dash top. It has no apparent function except to make annoying reflections in the windshield.

Cabin storage and cargo room: Storage compartments and bins are modest, but there's no shortage of cup holders: 12 altogether if you include the bottle holders in the doors. Cargo space is fairly commodious with the rear seatbacks folded, but they don't fold completely flat, compromising practicality. A large well just forward of the rear hatch is handy for holding items such as grocery bags. The hatch is hinged on the left, and you need a reasonable amount of space behind the vehicle to swing it open.

SAFETY NOTES
Safety belts: There are lap-and-shoulder belts for all five seating positions. The front belts have pretensioners and force limiters.
Air bags: Front and side air bags help protect the driver and front-seat passenger. The front passenger air bag is deactivated if the system detects a child-sized person in the front passenger seat. Head-protecting curtain air bags protect front and rear outboard passengers in a side impact.

Head restraints: All four head restraints adjust for height but are tall enough to afford protection even when lowered. The front ones are active restraints, which help reduce the chance of whiplash in a rear impact. The center-rear position lacks a head restraint.

Crash-avoidance systems: Antilock brakes and electronic stability control are standard.

Driving with kids: It can be very difficult to secure a child seat using the belts alone. The two lower LATCH anchors and three top-tether anchors help.

RELIABILITY
We do not have data to predict reliability, this model is new.
Tested model: 2009 1.8 S wagon, 1.8-liter Four, CVT
Major options: Interior designer package.

This road test applies to the current model year of this vehicle.

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none said:

6k for a '95?! Did it have showroom miles or something? That is quite a sale there!

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