Skip advert
Advertisement

Nissan Cube

Our man doesn't need insect repellent - he's got another fly killer!

Pros
  • THIS car has a massive kit list. The entertainment centre is headed up by a smart4.3-inch colour touchscreen display, and it gives you sat-nav with traffic alert splus full iPod control. It also displays images from the handy reversing camera – not that you’ll struggle to back up in such a boxy machine.
Cons
  • I’VE no complaints about the room in the back of the Nissan – its sliding rear bench even lets you balance rear legroom and bootspace. However, there’s a lip at the opening and its large side-hinged tailgate demands a bit of planning when choosing a suitable parking space.
Find your Nissan Cube
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Forget fly swats, rolled up newspapers and expensive aerosols. If you want to kill some bugs, buy a Nissan Cube! The latest addition to our long-term fleet has just arrived, and it has already turned me into Mr Nasty...

Before I go any further, let’s get one thing straight; I love animals. I’ve always had pets, and I’m a big softie when it comes to dogs in particular. But while our Kaizen-spec Nissan Cube doesn’t look as aggressive as some of the other vehicles on our fleet, its attention-grabbing looks are bad news for insects.

Advertisement - Article continues below

I discovered this during my first long drive in the 1.6-litre supermini, as its bluff front end and near vertical windscreen accounted for hundreds of insects on the trip. As a result, its optional pearlescent white paintwork is often peppered with road kill, so summer promises to be a busy time for my bucket and sponge!

The trade-off is a car that looks like nothing else on the road; I absolutely love the Cube’s boxy proportions and slab-sided outline. The asymmetrical wraparound rear window is another neat touch. And when you’ve had enough of admiring the exterior, the car’s interior is home to lots of toys. A panoramic glass sunroof, reversing camera, cruise control, speed limiter, steering wheel controls and a Bluetooth hands-free system all come fitted as standard. The styling of the cabin is sure to divide opinion, though – my girlfriend thinks it looks like a cross between Postman Pat’s van and the Starship Enterprise. But whatever you think of its visual appeal, it’s a practical choice.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

4 Series Gran Coupe

2025 BMW

4 Series Gran Coupe

23,091 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £30,990
View 4 Series Gran Coupe
GLC

2019 Mercedes

GLC

86,000 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £19,500
View GLC
Captur

2019 Renault

Captur

56,268 milesManualPetrol0.9L

Cash £7,800
View Captur
Niro

2022 Kia

Niro

5,967 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £20,999
View Niro

There’s loads of storage, and the sliding rear bench frees up valuable boot space when you’re not carrying any passengers in the back. Its 255-litre load area is deep, too, so it’s perfect for carting around all the products that I test for Auto Express.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s not faultless, though. For a start there’s a high lip, which makes unloading heavy objects a bit tricky. And then there’s the side-hinged tailgate. It’s huge, and makes accessing the boot in tight spaces a real pain. I don’t understand why Nissan didn’t fit a conventional tailgate instead.

So far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Cube’s driving characteristics. It’s clearly no sports car and there’s plenty of body roll if you corner sharply, but the 1.6-litre engine is lively enough around town and visibility is excellent.

The Nissan’s boxy shape isn’t really suited to high speeds, as it’s hardly the most aerodynamic design, but cruise control helps to take the stress out of motorway journeys. The tall driving position also allows you to see far ahead, which is great if you’re trying to drive economically. I’ve already managed to achieve 40mpg on one trip – not bad for something shaped like a brick!

The overall average is lower – 29.7mpg to be precise – yet this is largely down to the amount of urban driving I do, and I’ll relish the chance to go for a few longer trips in the Cube. ButI’m not looking forward to cleaning off the bugs afterwards!

Extra Info

“I was won over by the car’s styling. Its great visibility and easy-to-judge shape are great for nipping through traffic. But the huge rear door means that you have to drive forward into parking spaces at the supermarket.”
Tom Phillips
Staff Writer

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,584
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,925
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025