The Auto Writer

Credit (or blame) Toyota for taking a boxy design and running with it. The Scion xB has been the favorite of square lovers everywhere these past five years as has the Honda Element.

Scion is getting some new competition this Spring in the form of the Kia Soul and the Nissan Cube. The Soul is an all new model while the Cube, which has been on sale in Japan for several years, comes to America this May.

In advance of its American introduction, Nissan has announced pricing for the cube (lowercase is Nissan’s idea). The cube(R) 1.8 equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission will sell for just $13,990. Further up the food chain, cube(R) 1.8 S, priced at $14,690 with the 6-speed manual and $15,690 with the Xtronic CVT(R) (Continuously Variable Transmission); cube(R) 1.8 SL, priced at $16,790; and the cube(R) 1.8 Krom specialty vehicle, priced at $19,370. Both the cube(R) 1.8 SL and cube(R) 1.8 Krom come with standard Xtronic CVT(R).

“Cube has generated tremendous buzz for Nissan – it’s fun, functional and it’s an ideal extension of cube owners’ lifestyle,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, NNA. “Cube offers features that you just can’t put a price on – clever design, inviting interior, ease of driving and outstanding quality. No other car in its segment comes close to cube.”

I got a close up look at the Nissan Cube when it made its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.  To be polite, I found the Cube to be interesting and can see how it’ll appeal to young drivers.

However, if Nissan isn’t careful, they’ll find that mature drivers will like the car too just as they did the Scion xB.  Roomy interiors mean that these type of vehicles appeal to the yard sale set, the person who spends a good chunk of their Saturdays scurrying around looking for bargains all over town.

Source: Nissan North America, Inc.