Cousin of the Versa
Under the hood is the Versa's modest 4-cylinder. This thrifty, 122-horsepower mill delivers decent accelerations and satisfying passing maneuvers. The base model called 1.8 S comes with a slick-shifting, 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional CVT. The latter is standard on the higher-end cube 1.8 SL.

This thrifty, 122-horsepower mill delivers decent accelerations and satisfying passing maneuvers.

A brief stint in downtown Miami and South Beach allowed me to appreciate the pleasant driving dynamics of the cube in urban conditions. The power steering and short turning circle (10.1 meters) make this car quite maneuverable. The massive body sides, however, are an obvious prey for crosswinds. You also have to get used to the significant body roll in tight corners.

The interior is welcoming and the high roofline provides surreal headroom. Even Richard Kiel, who played Jaws in "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker" from the James Bond series, would feel comfortable inside the cube!

Nicely equipped
Standard features include, among others, air conditioning, 15-inch wheels (16 for the 1.8 SL), a tilt-adjustable (but not telescopic) steering wheel and remote entry. The high-end model adds an intelligent key with push-button start, fog lights and premium audio.

Safety is a huge priority for Nissan, which is why the cube comes standard with a full assortment of airbags, ABS brakes, traction control and stability control.

What's more, realizing that the average cube buyer will want to customize their ride, the company offers a wide selection of dealer-installed accessories, ranging from a small elastic to fasten your iPod onto the door panel all the way to a modular storage bin inside the trunk. Let's not forget the odd-looking "shag" carpet that goes on top of the dashboard. Its sole purpose is to start conversations!

Standard features include, among others, air conditioning, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and remote entry.