The Detroit Newspapers's view

Q: When does a craze become a trend?

A: When I start doing it.

Of course, the same answer applies to the question: When does a trend become lame?

For anyone emerging from an Afghan cave, Twitter has taken over the world. It’s a neat little micro blogging site that helps create a virtual social network.

It’s the new marketplace of ideas: sometimes insightful, other times mundane. A world of endless abbreviations and jagged thoughts that typically translate into, “Look at me!”

The 2009 Nissan Cube demands the same attention, but try saying: “RT #NissanCube = Gr8 🙂 @AutoCritic” three times fast. Twitter folk, at least those with a low DBI, know what I mean.

It’s a cyber world filled with hash tags, emoticons and ReTweets — a Twitter compliment of the highest order. But none of your thoughts can be deep or at least long winded, because Twitter only allows you to “publish” 140 characters at a time.

And clearly, the 2009 Nissan Cube belongs in the Twitterverse. It’s the White Castle slider of full meal vehicles: Cute, small, square and a little cheesy. It’s 140 characters of fun — not enough to write a novel, but more than enough for a full thought.

It’s designed to appeal to people who never read a dead-tree version of The Detroit News. It may come with front-door map pockets, but no driver will ever use it to hold paper charts representing street grids. This generation uses a GPS or any assortment of apps to find their way. The Cube sets it sights directly at kids with ear buds and iPhones and who Twitter things like, “borrowed more $ from Mom.”

At least Mom, Dad or even a young consumer can afford this boxy compact. Its price starts at $13,990, not including the $695 shipping charge. My nicely loaded test vehicle priced out as $15,385. The top-of-the-line Cube Kr?m will run you a full $19,370.

For the money, here’s what you get:

A versatile people mover that’s easy to hop in or out of, a breeze to park and even easier to make a U-turn with (it has a turning circle of 33.4 feet), and more importantly, it’s fun. Too many vehicles today take themselves too seriously — the Cube doesn’t. It’s the true urban hauler that fills the void left when the Scion xB grew to fit American proportions. Admittedly, it will have its hands full going up against the all-new Kia Soul, xB and a slew of compact cars. Comes fully accessorized

Really, the Cube is nothing new. It’s been cruising streets in Japan since 1998, so the refined model that appeared at American dealerships last month should surprise few.

However, surprises come standard with the Cube. It may not have a beefy engine and the seats are squishier than an air mattress. Nissan says it did this on purpose to help the seats feel like a sofa. So I say, mission accomplished, though I think a long trip on these marshmallows might require back surgery.

Just look up at the rippling ceiling. There are literally waves in the roof liner heading out in concentric circles away from the overhead lights. It’s as if designers threw the light onto a wet liner and then froze the moment.

The wavy dashboard also changes the angles of the vents, pointing them directly at the driver and the passenger. Its eye-grabbing design reinforces the idea that the owner is special — just like Twitter.

The dash-mounted cup holder on the driver’s side — there are some in the center console, too — includes a spot for a Red Bull can or a 20-ounce Coke. It’s ingenious.

So are the little bags and bands that can clip onto various buttons and knobs, making the interior take on the look of an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker’s backpack with bits and pieces hanging in a sort of organized chaos. It provides a unique feel for the owner, and isn’t that what every vehicle should provide?

Most of all, the Cube provides space. In a small car world, the Cube gives you leg room, head room and just room to breath. There’s also a full complement of tech features: Bluetooth, six-speaker stereo, aux-in jack and even iPod connectivity. There are the usual things too — six airbags, optional remote keyless entry and rear privacy glass. The Cube never leaves you wanting for more accessories, and today, that’s saying something. Fun to drive around town

The exterior is nearly as special in that ugly concept way. The asymmetrical design gathers lots of looks from other drivers and pedestrians. For a box, the Cube doesn’t possess a sharp corner anywhere — it’s like a baby’s toy. Even the windows had their edges removed.

The Krom edition has some sharper edges, such as the chrome bars above and below the body-colored bumper.

The barn door opening in the back takes some getting used to and might cause problems unloading if you’re up against a wall, or another car.

My test vehicle included the five-speed manual transmission so I did not get a chance to see how well the continuously variable transmission rode, but I would guess not as well as the stick.

The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine produces 122 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. Much like Twitter, the Cube felt like more talking the talk, and less walking the walk.

On the highway, the Cube felt loose and floaty. It doesn’t like speeds approaching 80 mph and it hates windy afternoons — as too much wind tends to rock the box a little too much.

But around town, the natural turf for this vehicle, the Cube is downright fun. It zips through its gears, and the 156.7-inch length makes it easy to fit in any spot.

It’s the kind of vehicle that can handle a night on the town, a move across town or just the merry go round of errands and daily commutes.

Reaching 28 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway makes any trip a little more frugal.

No, the Cube is certainly not for everyone. Neither is Twitter. But the idea of Twitter has become bigger than any one person on it.

And the Cube offers a lot for its price. Sometimes a box is just bigger than the sum of its sides. RT ad nauseam.

sburgess@detnews.com (313) 223-3217

2009 Nissan Cube

Type: Front-wheel drive, five-passenger compact box

Price: $13,990

Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder

Transmission: Five-speed manual or CVT

Power: 122-horsepower, 127-pound-feet torque

EPA gas mileage: 28 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

Report Card

Overall: ***

Exterior: Excellent. Asymmetrical design turns heads and exterior stays true to concept vehicle.

Interior: Good. Some materials could be better quality, such as seat covers, but design provides special interior that a driver can make his or her own.

Performance: Good. Engine a bit under-powered but excellent around town.

Safety: Excellent. Electronic stability control, six airbags and other safety features.

Pros: Lots of customizable features and unique feel to this small but tall vehicle.

Cons: Squishy seats and poor highway performance makes the Cube not good for long hauls.

Grading scale

**** Excellent *** Good ** Fair * Poor