2010 Nissan Cube: Road Test
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Our road test for the 2010 Nissan Cube includes a full evaluation of the 2010 Nissan Cube from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2010 Nissan Cube, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2010 Nissan Cube help you decide if a 2010 Nissan Cube is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.3 |
No ball of fire, but with either transmission, Cube has little trouble keeping up with urban traffic. Versions with the CVT feel a bit livelier from a stop than those with the 6-speed manual transmission. No chance yet to drive a Cube on the expressway.
FUEL ECONOMY
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
No opportunity to measure. Cube uses regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
Cube has no sporting intentions and generally imparts a comfortable ride around town, but can't completely smother large bumps.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.1 |
For a basic economy car, Cube is fairly nimble and pleasant to drive. The precise steering has light effort at low speeds, but it builds nicely as the pace quickens. Close-quarters maneuverability is good thanks to Cube's small footprint. Braking control is good.
QUIETNESS
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.9 |
Cube's engine is vocal during rapid acceleration, but quiets down at cruise. Coarse-surface tire thrum is very noticeable, even at low speeds.
CONTROLS
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.4 |
Controls are well placed and clearly marked. The SL model has an automatic climate control system that uses push buttons, while the S gets a simpler system with rotary knobs. Both are easy to use. Nissan's typical steering-wheel-mounted cruise controls make a welcome appearance on both models, and the SL's Preferred Package adds redundant audio controls.
DETAILS
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.9 |
Modest materials and hard plastics are used to good effect for a pleasant cabin that presents better than many class rivals.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.9 |
Large adults will find plenty of room on comfortable seats. There's no center console, thus no center-console armrest, but the driver gets a fold-down seat-mounted armrest. Only the driver's seat is height adjustable. Extra-large sunvisors are provided for the tall windows. Visibility is generally good, and the wrap-around rear window helps the view over the right shoulder, but the rear headrests can be a bit of an obstacle.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 3.5 |
Most adults should have enough headroom and legroom, but taller folks may wish for a bit more knee space behind a front seat pushed all the way back. The rear seat can slide fore and aft to favor cargo or passenger room, and the split seatbacks can recline independently.
CARGO ROOM
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 5.2 |
The Cube's cargo area is deep, but not very long front-to-back with the rear seat up. There isn't any underfloor storage, but there is a small bin on the driver's side wall, and most models include a bin on the inside of the rear door. The split-fold seat flops forward easily, but is not close to being flush with the floor behind it. The cleverly designed cloth cargo cover can work with the seat upright, folded, or in any combination. There are about a dozen cupholders about the interior that can also be used as small bins. A glovebox, a couple small cubbies, and a seatback pocket also offer small-item storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 7 | 6.4 |
Nissan's Cube offers a surprising amount of space and practicality in a small and highly styled packaged. People shopping small sport utility vehicles, and outgoing folk looking for something beyond the ordinary subcompact universe should give Nissan's personality infused little box a look.
Total Score
| S, manual | S, CVT | SL w/Preferred Pkg | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 65 | 64 | 57.4 |
Total Score: 65
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