Nissan Cube Priced at $13,990
The Cube will be available in four trim levels when it goes on sale in May: base, S, SL and Krom. Every Cube comes with a 122-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder and a slew of safety features, including active head restraints, side-impact and side curtain airbags, electronic stability control and antilock brakes.
The base Cube comes with fairly routine amenities: power windows, locks and mirrors, keyless entry, air conditioning and 15-inch steel wheels. The base version is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. To get the continuously variable automatic, you have to upgrade to the S trim.
The S trim is priced at $14,690. For that price, you get body-colored mirrors, cruise control and upgraded interior upholstery. The CVT adds another $1,000.
The $16,790 SL trim comes standard with the CVT, 16-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, iPod integration and an upgraded stereo system. The SL Preferred Package ($1,600) adds another layer of luxury: push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio and rear parking sensors.
The tricked-out Krom edition costs $19,360. That price premium brings bright chrome trim, unique 16-inch chrome wheels, checkered upholstery for the seats, ambient interior lighting and standard Bluetooth.
In addition, Cube customers are offered more than 40 accessories for customization.
The Cube enters a rather specific segment costing significantly less than the Scion xB ($15,750) but slightly more than the also-new Kia Soul, which starts out at $13,300 and can be equipped with a more powerful engine.
We initially awarded the Cube our top pick among the three but some, Suburban Dad included, think the Soul bests the Cube in most respects. It seems the battle of the boxes is on.
