The Nissan Cube was a mini MPV built from 1998 to 2019. It was sold only in Japan at first, reached North America from 2009 to 2014 and Europe from 2009 to 2011, and the Japanese-market car lasted until December 2019. In Japan it was exclusive to Nissan Red Stage dealerships.
Nissan Cube at a glance
| Production | 1998–2019 |
|---|---|
| Generations | Z10 (1998), Z11 (2002), Z12 (2008) |
| Japanese dealers | Nissan Red Stage |
| Z10 engines | 1.3-litre four, shared with the Micra |
| Z11 engines | 1.4-litre, 1.5-litre HR from 2005 |
| Z12 engines | 1.5 HR, 1.8 MR for North America, 1.6 and 1.5 dCi in Europe |
| Drive | front-wheel drive; e4WD optional on the Z11 |
| Three-row model | Cube³ (GZ11), from September 2003 |
| Export markets | North America 2009–2014, Europe 2009–2011 |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Cube.
History of the Nissan Cube
Z10 (1998)
The first Cube was introduced in 1998 on the same platform as the Nissan Micra, with the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable transmission and four-wheel drive were optional. It helped close the gap in Nissan’s range between the March and the Sunny. Mitsuoka built a modified version called the Yuga in 2000–2001 with London taxi styling, in Deluxe and Royal trims.
Z11 (2002)
The second generation arrived in 2002 with a larger interior, its shape previewed by the Chappo concept at the 2001 Geneva show. It was based on the third-generation Micra/March and powered by a 1.4-litre four. An e4WD system sent power to the rear wheels through a small electric motor when the front wheels spun, reducing drag in front-wheel-drive mode. A longer three-row model, the Cube³ (GZ11), went on sale in September 2003 with a different grille and slightly longer rear doors until the January 2007 facelift. A light facelift in May 2005 added the 1.5-litre HR engine from the Tiida, and the exterior was updated again in January 2007. Options included an air ioniser, Nissan’s smart key, a sunroof, twelve front grille styles and satellite navigation.
Z12 (2008)
The third generation was revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19 November 2008 and was the first Cube officially exported beyond Japan. It had a more rounded rear, an asymmetrical rear window wrapping around the passenger side, and a side-hinged tailgate that swings open like a door, hinged on the right for left-hand-traffic countries and on the left for North America. The interior used a water-ripple motif, with colour appliqués for the vents and switches, variable LED accent lighting and a shag carpet on the dash. It was built on the Renault-Nissan B platform with a 1.5-litre HR engine, a 1.8-litre MR engine of 122 hp for North America and, in Europe, a 1.6 petrol or 1.5 dCi diesel.
Design and features
- Boxy shape: maximum interior space in a small footprint.
- Asymmetric rear window: a signature of the third generation.
- Side-hinged tailgate: opens like a door instead of lifting.
- e4WD: an electric motor drives the rear wheels when needed.
Nissan Cube versions
- Cube Z10 (1998–2002): first generation on the Micra platform.
- Mitsuoka Yuga (2000–2001): a retro-styled conversion.
- Cube Z11 (2002–2008): second generation with e4WD.
- Cube³ (2003–2008): the longer three-row model.
- Cube Z12 (2008–2019): the exported third generation.
The Cube sat above the Micra and shared its engines with the Note and Juke. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: 2013 Nissan Cube
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan Cube, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, Cube3, e4WD, third-generation design
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