7 Seater Cars 2012 
Nissan Cube3 – Funkiest Seven Seater?
The Nissan Cube has been on the market since the early 2000s, but only 'grey' importers allowed people in the UK to get hold of one. Now after three-generations, the Cube is officially hitting UK shores. It is based on the Nissan Micra, the Note and the Renault Clio platform, which instantly gives you an idea of its size. New models are available from £15,000, (approx), whilst second hand Nissan 7-Seaters can be picked up for as little as £1,000.
Nissan Cube3 – MPGThe choice gearbox is the ever-so popular CVT (continually-variable transmission), which seemingly has thousands of gears to suit every driving situation. |
The CVT box is said to add to the mpg score and takes it up to 40mpg from the 37mpg limit of the manual gearbox. It'll do 109mph at top speed.
Nissan Cube3 – Co2 Emissions
This Mini Seven Seater only pumps out 149g/km of CO2, which is average for a seven-seater of this size.
Nissan Cube3 – Car Tax Band (VED)
Being a smaller MPV the Car Tax falls into the more affordable band F bracket which is currently only £130 a year with a one of showroom tax charge of £130. Six monthly VED costs £71.50.
Nissan Cube3 – Cubed Appearance
Some of the previous generation's looks have been diluted in the revamp but the Nissan Cube is still completely different looking compared to the myriad of Euro-boxes on the road today. The squared-off rump, the flat nose and the smoothed waistline give the Cube something completely unique.
Nissan Cube3 – Dimensions
The Note is actually slightly bigger than the Nissan Cube, by 120mm in length and 70mm in the wheelbase, but the Cube is 120mm taller, which aids headroom. There are seven-seater Cubes available, called Cube3, which stuff two small seats in the boot space, which are only good enough for small kids. Boot space is therefore minimal when the seats are in place, but all of the rearward seats are removable if you decide to use the Cube for load-lugging tasks.
Nissan Cube3 – Performance
There is a thrummy-1.6-litre four-cylinder engine under the bonnet, which despite the 1,265kg kerbweight manages to whisk the Cube along quite briskly. The 0-60 time comes up in a little over 11 seconds and with 113lb-ft of torque, it just about manages to carry seven and a few small bags.
Nissan Cube3 – Gadgets Galore!
The Nissan Cube is fun to drive, it looks great and it has disc brakes all round, so it stops well too. The funkiness continues inside the cabin, where the swoopy dashboard, iPod docking station, MP3 USB port and other gadgets are on display. Feel free to crank up the music if you're going on a long journey as that four-pot motor can get a little stretched at motorway speeds.
Nissan Cube3 – Seating and Handling
The seating and handling are great. Both giving good feedback through the seat of your trousers, and with Nissan taking part in more and more motorsport events, the handling and suspension are tweaked to such a level that inspires confidence. The Cube3 is mostly going to be used in cities and towns, where it manages to twist the necks of pedestrians who are shocked at such a weird and wonderful looking car.
Nissan Cube3 – Conclusion
At £15k new, it's not the cheapest of mini-MPVs but it does have that 'X' factor that other cars in this field simply can't match. Those looks, the odd shape and the brave design simply blow the Nissan Note or the Qashqai out of the water. It's just a shame Nissan seems to try and steal its own customers from itself.
|
The Cube3 is made by the manufacturer Nissan. Other 7-Seaters from the Nissan manufacturer include the Nissan Qashqai +2, Patrol GR and Pathfinder
