Yeah, it looks funny, and yeah, many rivals outperform and out-haul it, but Nissan’s 2012 Cube 1.8 offers a well-balanced mix of distinctiveness and practicality that appeals to those who want something a bit farther out. This 5-passenger compact wagon boasts 5 doors, a roomy front seat, sporty stick-shift performance, decent ride comfort and 58.1 cubic feet of total cargo space. It also comes with standard 15-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, reclining rear seats and full power accessories. Tilt-wheel steering and air conditioning, of course, come standard, as does simulated alloy dashboard trim. Entertainment, meanwhile, remains a single-CD player with a pair of speakers and auxiliary MP3 input.
Options in this funky fun-mobile include the Interior Design Package, with carpeted floor mats front and rear, a strangely appealing shag-top dashboard and splash guards all around.
The 2012 Cube 1.8 is again powered by a variable-valve-timed, 122-hp 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with a standard 6-speed manual transmission for 127 lb-ft of torque. Meantime, look for a somewhat lackluster 25 mpg city/30 highway from this wigged-out wagon.
Safety-wise, the award-winning Cube 1.8 carries 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. A remote antitheft alarm, meantime, also remains on the list of standard safety features.
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