Nissan Cube Goes for a Drive

[@ashterfadgadget817]

I've got a Z12 Cube (UK car). I paid £7k nearly 10 years ago and it's been a great buy. I love the way it looks and it can take 5 people comfortably. The performance isn't bad at all and it handles surprisingly well. It's not my only car but it would be a great option for a daily driver for a lot of people. Most jelly mould loving Brits couldn't get their head round the quirky styling but hey ... their loss!

[@lucasbarton1773]

Love it!

[@ashterfadgadget817]

@Nick C I’ve had 3 adults in the back of mine no problem. The rear seat bench can be moved forwards and backwards, which is a useful feature.

[@ashterfadgadget817]

@Nick C Not exactly quick but they perform well enough. It’s certainly not slow.

[@mymoviesandstuff]

It was mentioned that the ride was quite hard. Note that this car had aftermarket wheels with quite low profile tyres. A standard car is soft, smooth and comfortable. We've had a Cubic for the last year and I absolutely love it! Great movie :o)

[@manufacturingdefect1287]

I bought a used one for my wife three years ago. Absolutely love it. More than my daily driven Mazda

[@robertsedgwick1629]

10:41 you are rather missing the point of the "drink" holder- one wouldn't use a silly big plastic cup bacause it is designed to hold a CAN with the A/C blowing to chill your beverage of choice

[@NeoNeko99]

Cuuuuube! I’ve always loved Cubes! Funky little things.

[@RichieRouge206]

I have always liked the Cube as it’s so bonkers. It’s so much an exercise in function over form and it’s all the better for it. The most modern interpretation almost of the Defender. And in all my years of stereo work, I’ve never seen a Triple DIN stereo space! Would a Honda SMX be a rival I wonder? Great review Matt!

[@craigbrown5667]

I've bottled out of buying one of these MANY times for some reason. I LOVE the Cube. I love most things Japanese anyway, but this wee gem is one of the most multi-purpose cars you can buy for the money. It's different (which REALLY appeals to me) and puts a smile on your face when you see one. I'm driving a Renault Zoe 22kwh EV right now, and now that I'm single and no longer have access to a longer range car, I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these after all these years (I'm 51 now). I have 17" Clio alloys on my Zoe right now that I refurbed from eBay and they would fit right onto the Cube! I'd need to have a black one, as I'm a Trekkie, so I can have a BORG CUBE, with "Resistance is Futile" graphics down the side lol. Yes I'm a child. That's why I love the Cube :)

[@tigerofwu]

I love mine. I'm working on getting her this nice looking.

[@MaximilianvonPinneberg]

Absolutely love these. Bonkers, fashionable, practical.

[@SA-zoom1]

I offered to buy one of these for my wife, she looked at photo and said "is that meant to be a joke? I personally love the looks.

[@michaelsanderson6968]

Jatco are owned by Nissan and renowned for making less-than-wonderful CVTs.

[@premierdeal]

Until you own a car with one and it fails when the stick won't pull out of park, like my Dodge Caliber- yes, a Nissan Jatco CVT. These are unrepairable and a replacement unit cost like double the value of the car. 300 saw it towed and 7k down the toilet.

[@Grizzmakes]

Thinking of buying a CVT 06 car with 130k km and a borked CVT box. Any information or knowledge on whether these can be repaired or replaced for sensible money? I know the video id two years old….. but worth asking. Thanks.

[@AntonyThorburn]

The indicators have so many memories. Nissan from the 80s, thanks.

[@stephenswift9868]

I like that a lot! The colour scheme is fantastic! A lot different from the usual pastel colours you see the Cube in (though I like those as well) plus red leather is always a win!

[@thefearofaflatplanet]

You have canny knack of reviewing cars that I’ve always had a curious interest in. Excellent work as ever Sir.

[@Edd90k_]

they're awesome little cars. We recently got one for my other half, the cubic 7 seater and she loves the thing! it's quirky and interesting. Slow, rattly, cheap inside etc but that's not what the car is about! great little things and I'm happy to see you review one!

[@pablojones5613]

I love the word "parpy". It sounds like a nickname that you would call one of your more flatulent mates in school.

[@ravenmadd1343]

Cubes are just brilliant, nearly worth buys just for the novelty factor. In other news ... My wife has a Peugeot 1007 1.6 Sports with a tiptronic semi-automatic gearbox. Very small, fairly rare, loads of cubby holes, electric sliding doors and very quirky. She's always being asked about it by people who see it, especially when they see the doors opening. You should give one a go and see what you think. :)

[@mattsbeamer]

I see so many of these and this one is the best looking by miles

[@patrickl2195]

If you want a European equivalent, there’s the Renault Grand Modus. I think they share floorpans. “Turns on a sixpence.”

[@leylandlynxvlog]

I came to the comments section to say, "Turns on a sixpence." But you beat me to it, sir.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Unfortunately Nissan died when it needed with fcking Renault

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Very practicle little town car too, short in length easy to park and see out of. There has been one of these in a street near me i have been passing by for years and it always catches my eye!

[@pauldavies6037]

One of the most enjoyable reviews Mat what a great car puts most others designs to shame I would love one

[@rodhili3946]

Matt's on good form today. Made me chuckle several times

[@LeoMkII]

Man what a stunning car, I might be alone but I love it's design. At least it's not boring as sin as most cars these days.

[@michaelbailey7398]

Omg how brilliant is this video. Everything. Covered well done loving it glad I'm owner of one I love it 😍

[@stevogarnham6869]

Don't know why but I do really like these cube I need to own one day keep up work brilliant video

[@kallekas8551]

My wife has one… and it’s brilliant!

[@MaximilianvonPinneberg]

How Lucky!

[@volvo480]

I wonder if the rear opening is reversed on LHD cars. Oh by the way, those outlets are not carrying 20 volt. They are 12 volt and rated at 20 amps each. Which is quite a lot, the one in my Volvo V70 will blow its fuse over 10 amps.

[@GoldenCroc]

Yeah, 20v? Even in japan, that sounded strange as a standard. Surely he got it confused with the 20A text?

[@michaeltutty1540]

No, the tailgate was not reversed for left hand drive examples. That had large drawbacks, as you can imagine. The side opening gate also meant that if someone parked to close to the back end the tailgate would not open enough to be at all useable.

[@captainpesmo]

There was a Cube on the WatchJRGo channel. Going by that example, the rear was a mirror image for the US market.

[@richardhaywoodh]

What a brilliant innovative practical design. I would have preferred this to the Micras I have had in the past

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Much better, this one.

[@davidmoynahan9585]

I have one of these as a daily commuter. 7 litre/100km city and 4.9 litre/100km on the open road. You missed the adjustable back seat rake, 5 settings and if you lower the centre arm rest makes for a pleasurable drive. Mine has the cloth fabric seats. Great value for money and super easy access.

[@user-vu7rv1xf1l]

Is that fuel efficient or not? Sorry I'm not that savvy. I am hoping to get one of these as a first time driver, but a bit worried about the CTV breaking down. Any ideas?

[@davidmoynahan9585]

7 litre/100km is 33.6 mpg US or 40 mpg UK 4.9 litre/100km is 48 mpg US or 57.6 mpg UK. As for the CVT, yes they will fail. Everything man made will fail at some time. At 90,000km (56,000 miles) I had mine serviced. New filter, screen and 8.3 litre of approved CVT fluid. Check the manufacturer plate in the engine bay for the transmission model. As the transmission pan has to be removed for the filter and screen replacement, there are two magnets to trap fine metal particles. Depending on the mileage and use will show up in what's on the magnets. Basically service the transmission like you service the engine. Depending on your usage, 30 to 50,000 miles should be good. If you're not comfortable with this, then choose another vehicle with a conventional auto.

[@andytalbot6719]

I owned a 2003 Cubic and 2010 Mk3 ex Fifth Gear TV press car. Loved both. Just a tad thirsty for a daily driver.

[@MrJustapersn]

I'm an importer in Australia and used to bring plenty of these in. There was also a 7 seat version. Was quite surprised to see it on this channel quite frankly.

[@michaelsanderson6968]

There's definately not many but I have seen the odd one now and again.

[@glowimagery634]

What are the best models to get? Im in Brisbane and looking for one now

[@gg_vard]

Such a quirky car, love it!

[@nissaa21]

My 2009 cube don't have third row seating, I am so in love with this car. I have had two of them so far

[@robenglish416]

Absolutely love the Cube! Never seen one in real life so this was an excellent review showing us all the quirks of the car. Didn’t now about the Cube3. You’ve made my day, wish Nissan made an electric “Leaf” version!

[@mynewschannel3100]

Actually they used the Z11 as a test platform for the Leaf powertrain :) You can find videos on KZbin.

[@jimhughes2641]

The cube was sold for a short time in the UK through the Nissan dealership. I was given one for a couple of days once as a loan when my car was in for some work.

[@de_ruso]

When did it happened? Most likely you are talking about Gen 3 which were sold around 2009-2010 and pulled out from sale later.

[@jimhughes2641]

@@de_ruso probably was a 2010 year model thinking back on it. It was a strange little car and I remember the dealer saying to me he had only sold a few but t remember it was immensely practical and had really comfy seats.

[@paultaylor9652]

Enjoyed that more than I should, great video Mat and choice of car, not seen one on the road up my way for some time.

[@markhood6654]

i utterly LOVE these!

[@oratiadave]

Nice review, thanks Matt. The label on the pocket beside the wheel (at 13:28 ) is a reminder to apply the handbrake. Maybe owners manual goes in there?

[@MrNomadnero]

Youve done it again. Made a video of a car I'll need to add to my want list!

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

My neighbour had a bog povo pink one. Was so glad when she sold it so I needn't see it everyday. This one looks way better.

[@davidjukes8298]

Same sort of idea as a Berlingo Multispace. A van that makes a very useful car.

[@888johnmac]

to quote the joke at the time ' nice , can you get it in red ' ... but honestly didn't realise just how practical one of these is

[@thisiszaphod]

What a well designed little car!

[@jdmguy44]

Cool looking car and the light mods on this car really suit it.

[@bradaltemeyer4472]

I loved my 2010 stick shift cube here in Texas, had it long enough for my daughter to learn how to drive a stick (only less than 2% of USA cars now have a stick shift), I would have bought another had they still been for sale in 2017, For me part of the reason I bought it was just fitting in the vehicle at 6'' 7" barefoot, I don't fit in many cars and small trucks. My Cube was rated at 42.5 inches of headroom. Turned out that wide back door and space was also very useful.

[@TheLewis85]

Greetings from Essex, I recognize those roads! Love the videos

[@ProdigalPorcupine]

I'm almost certain those outlets in the boot are just standard 12v car accessory sockets. It says max 20A, in other words they will supply a maximum current of 20 Amps! I stand to be corrected, of course, but I can't see how 20 volt outlets could be useful as it's not a standard voltage for car accessories, or pretty much anything, for that matter. :-). Edit: It’s already been pointed out by others, I should have read further down the replies!

[@larrybrown9279]

Just bought my granddaughter a 2012 Cube for $3,600. Has a few dents here and there the engine runs great of course the back door doesn't open, that's fixable. Read about the CVT transmissions so I changed the fluid dropped the pan cleaned the magnets and the screen. I don't think the fluid was ever changed 135,000 miles on it. It's making a little noise here and there hopefully it'll last a while longer with a new fluid change

[@olikas2021]

It's the best car ever I have a 2009 cube SL n y lil lady survived my life when I got I to an accident with her... it cost me $11,090 to fix her n rebuild her that I know I could have bought a brand new cube for a few thousand more but I couldn't let my lil lady go... till this day she has treated me with such love

[@marksbikeexports5123]

Saw one the other day, love em, a little odd in a good way.

[@motocrossedful]

Had the USA import Cube in 2010. We loved it. We had the higher end model with climate control, beautiful seats with soft cloth and ipod interface builtin to the head unit. Came with 16 inch wheels and low profile tires. Was so very comfortable. Problem was lousy in snow of which we have lots of in the winter so we upgraded to an all wheel drive vehicle. I miss it and I am on the lookout for a decent used one.

[@bradaltemeyer4472]

seems odd about the snow, I didn't drive mine much in any snow (RGV Texas is the southern tip/ so we don't see much of the white stuff) but most front wheel drive cars do ok in the snow, depending on tires of course. *I was in the blizzard of 78 that stretched from Chicago area to Ohio with about 40 inches of blowing drifting snow, be careful on that stuff.

[@motocrossedful]

@@bradaltemeyer4472 I think it was more to do with the "eastern" type of snow that we have. Often very icey along with being sometimes slushy with zero traction. Snow tires would have been a good help along with a geared automatic so it could have been put in lower gears. I still intend to try to buy another one as soon as these crazy used car prices go back to normal

[@bradaltemeyer4472]

@@motocrossedful that does make some sense to me, (I did grow up with snow and even deep snow (36" of blowing drifting snow in 1978 that covered a large area of Illinois Indiana Ohio and Michigan),, but then we moved to Brownsville TX, where snow is pretty rare (with steel studded snow tires on one car,,,)

[@sevesellors2831]

Great little car a genius design and rather timeless.

[@samsj2205]

I saw a Z10 on holiday a couple of weeks ago and really like these!

[@Retrofordguy]

Love the cube was looking at them to buy but having a family that needs huge boot space (wheelchair) wasnt going to cut it ide still have one though pity they was auto or cvt only i bet a manual conversion using micra parts could be done somehow. They do look smart especially with full autec body moldings

[@daviemaclean61]

I love these. I have a modified Cube sticker on my Landie - "Aerodynamics are overrated" ! ;-)

[@michaeltutty1540]

Very interesting, Matt. I remember when these were quite commonplace. Loved the idea of them. For a left hand drive car, the right rear blind spot was very large indeed

[@Ribeirasacra]

One tea shelf missed; the roof. Or if you are worried about eh paint work use a bit of ply on the roof rack. Could be said that the door handle design is mirrored in the dials.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

With softer colors this would rather aptly be Nissan Cute!

[@itekani]

Cool, surprised you enjoyed driving it despite the CVT. :)

[@RobinCapper]

Have briefly driven one, loan car while my Abarth was getting detailed/coated, and found it interesting. Coming from a manual had to remember not to use the 3rd pedal on the move, park brake! Found the dash surprisingly deep, van like, considering it has a bonnet and more upright screen.

[@kevinnye5132]

That’s so much more than a standard tea shelf Matt, it’s a banquet table for 7 average sized Japanese family members, Sushi 🍣, spring rolls, sticky rice 🍚 , Ramen , tempura and Ofc Sake for non drivers, tea 🍵 for driver , safety first 😉. Gosh really hungry now 😂, not my kinda car but very cute cubist cubism, interesting video 👍🏻.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great looking car, that red leather interior...... I would have this over a Micra any day! There is one near me but the most I see have been modified.

[@gaufrid1956]

They are very rare in Australia, but I know my adult son thinks it would br great to have one!

[@ingopaul67]

Different is good, plus relatively cheap and practical. Great alternative to all those annoying SUVs.

[@jubylam7108]

Love the Meshuggah sticker and also That generation You could have it with the E-4wd made by Itachi

[@tz6414]

Such a cool car. Don't know why they aren't so popular

[@lilylodon]

I got one, it’s a great vehicle for me as I am disabled, easy to get in and drive as I have cvt, there is nothing in the uk market to equals this car, if there is please tell me, I love my cube, it’s well quirky 🤪👍 and I love it, my previous cars have been Alfa Romeos, 155ti 2.0, lusso ,147 2.0 lusso, so a big change in my life, but I get more comments and interest In my cube than my Alfa’s 🤔

[@johntate5050]

I'd much rather have a Cube than an Alfa.

[@bcfairlie1]

These are fun, quirky and practical. However get the standard 4 speed auto. The CVT was not very reliable. When the CVT gives up, you have to replace themas they are too expensive to fix.

[@de_ruso]

CVT gearboxes in seconds gen Cubes are reliable.

[@doktoruzo]

@@de_ruso . The Jatco cvt boxes are shite, well known for poor reliability. They are just not robust enough.

[@premierdeal]

See my experience comment above...totally a thro away when breaks, as it also breaks the bank

[@d2factotum]

My 2007 Nissan Micra had that sliding rear seat thing--I found it enormously useful, because it allowed me to fit all the luggage I needed for myself and another person to go somewhere without having to put the seats down. Sure, it meant nobody could sit in the back, but that was largely true even with the seats fully back given the size of the interior!

[@glynjones2540]

Some pre- and postwar Rootes cars had transverse pleated upholstery but I always thought that very early Rover 3 litres made the most of this theme by using two colours. They looked so much more modern than cars with P4 style seats.

[@alansimpson835]

I agree with you. A quirky car is a beautiful thing. I would love to see you get your hands on a Daihatsu Move although I'm sure they are a little tricky to find these days

[@michaelnedsmar9106]

Those cars are slow, uneconomical , kinda weird looking and suffer from cross winds on a motorway , who the ferk would want to own a toaster on wheels ? ME ! I bought a basic 2006 98hp 1.4 Z11 and love it ! So easy to get in and out , so much space , so practical , very comfortable to drive and the turning circle is amazing . If you want a old car that's has a 0-60 under 8 seconds that blends in with most of the cars that are on the road buy a Inpreza ,a Golf GTI a RS turbo . If you DARE to be different and you want a comfortable cruiser join Cubelife !

[@frothe42]

Funny how the KIA Soul keeps soldering on while this evaporated in the US market. These were somewhat popular, I would see these from time to time.

[@shept.7736]

We actually did get the z12 in states, see them frequently

[@anthonyperkins7556]

It's a cross between a mini-mpv and a light small van seats folded flat. You could use it for light delivery work during the week and take 5 people away for the weekend with the boot loaded. An oddball Nissan but useful too. The DCi diesel engines version, sourced from Renault, is the best choice on the used market if you're going to take 5 adults and loads regularly as the economy is better and it can cope fully loaded far better than the petrol version, for which you will constantly fuel up and throw fivers and tenners away.

[@jerryfirth6985]

Hillman Imp Van was a similar shape, my dad had a red one with us 3 kids in the back lol....

[@GoldenCroc]

Always liked these cars since the Gran turismo 4 slipstream training test/licence. Their slow speed just made it more fun. And the looks are as Japanese as you can get: A little bit silly and fun, BUT NOT TOO SILLY AND FUN! And the unusual looks doesnt detract from the usability, rather it enhances it.

[@jaunteraudi817]

Damn it.....i always liked those Nissans, but ...after you showed how this car looks.....now i want to buy Nissan Cube!!! My wife will not be happy about this :D

[@manofthehour6856]

Best I can recall, there was a cult following for the 1985 onwards Chevrolet Astro "minivan" and its sibling GMC Safari. The GM vehicles reputedly inspired the Cube, as well as the Toyota bB and US-market Scion xB. Possibly the Honda Element as well. I haven't seen many Cube models on North American roads. I first spotted one in a parking garage in Canada, unaware that it had actually entered the market, and later found out that it did, and that it was available as you say in the USA. It certainly is function with typical Japanese attention to clever and useful details, but personally, the styling isn't to my taste.

[@justice4g]

so weird you mentioned the Elgrand, I have one and am considering something like this as a 2nd

[@andrewstones2921]

Fun fact.. the cup holder is more of a water bottle holder and is designed so the air con vent can open and keep the water bottle cool.. unlike us Brits the Japanese do not drive with cups of tea or coffee.

[@petertrinder3127]

Have always fancied one of these for a fun thing to drive . Great review thank you

[@alansmith232]

That odd shaped storage recess in the back with a cone shaped bit below it is for a rifle

[@malcolmmorton989]

Love these

[@AndreiTupolev]

"They took one of the reversing lights and painted it red to make a rear fog light"? So did it only light up when you were in reverse?

[@gerryb6423]

AndreiTupolev No they have disconnected one reverse light and made it red and wired it to Fog light switch and in reverse there is just one reverse light which is legal in UK.

[@denam1138]

Whats the year of this model in the video

[@Pmjs]

My Mazda 626 92K had the indicator stalk on the RHS as well.

[@gerardbosvonhohenfels1866]

The name March is not only for Japan as you stated. March is used in whole Asia.

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

No in the uk it’s an Nissan Cube

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

No wrong it’s slit called a cube in Japan

[@hanoradoyle]

Turns on a tanner was the saying ,I believe they said the same about the old London black cab ,a tanner being slang for sixpence 👍:They got that right ,drives similar to the Renault Kangoo car a bit of a van but who cares love them both xxx Great video .Thanks .

[@johnedwards3198]

The Animé Postman Pat van has come to the channel!

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

It’s not

[@johnedwards3198]

@@louisbeerreviews8964 it's the most square vehicle like the Postman Pat Van. As Matt puts it though it is a very functional spacious design

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

@@johnedwards3198 it’s not and it’s doesn’t

[@steamwally]

Any idea why there seem to be so many of these around lately? I have noticed quite a number of these locally just recently. Something to do with imports and age?

[@saippuakivikuappias]

More than likely. At that age in Japan now where they are basically only good for export or scrap.

[@AndreiTupolev]

I like these cuboid Japanese things. It's rather like the original philosophy with the Mini, getting the maximum use of space while taking up the minimal amount of space.

[@paulsheehan2998]

How did they go from this to the Juke? Great car.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Nissan's gradual downfall is thanks to Renault

[@Dixieddawg]

The Japanese sign under the “single glove glove box” says something like “Please remember to apply the parking brake”

[@davidellis4031]

Thank you - my very rusty Japanese got me as far as "paarkinguburaaki -something- kudasai"

[@andygreen1a]

Great review as usual. Thanks Matt

[@mazdaram226]

Great review, very refreshing take …

[@tinatina2671]

How can I go about getting one, I see it as a grate car rumey

[@giulianomarco]

27:14 "Turn on a sixpence" (British idiom). 😁

[@famousamoss]

And Australian. Turn on a sixpence, stop on a thruppeny bit!

[@davidhynd4435]

Like a swan emerging from a chair that you can put a cup in. That reminds me of a certain wild party I attended in the early '80s... From what I remember the chair swan was sitting next to the talking hamburger, but it's all a bit of a blur.

[@jonp5641]

What a great car! Absolutely love it!

[@terrificspokesman7416]

More and more people are importing the Nissan Cube to the UK. They are not as common as Vauxhall Corsa but I do see Cubes driving around relatively often.

[@richardsidwick3655]

What are the crossbar's and rack system on top of this cube?

[@saippuakivikuappias]

Just boggo Thule "square" bars (with appropriate foot fixings) and Thule 591 racks.