Nissan Cube

The Nissan Cube is a compact minivan produced by Nissan and sold in the Japanese market. Like its name suggests, the Cube is very square-like in its shape, with only the front end sticking out from the box shape of the design.

The first generation of the Cube (designated Z10) was introduced in 1998. It shared the same platform as the Nissan Micra (known as the March in Japan), as well as the same 1.3L engine. A CVT and four wheel drive were optional. The Cube covered the gap in the Nissan lineup between the March and the Sunny.

The second generation of the Cube, released in 2002 with a more spacious interior and a modern combination of angled and curved surfaces, was based on the third generation of the March, powered by a 1.4L engine. A CVT was optional once again, and was made available in a stretched wheelbase version with seven seats, called the Cube³. For 2005, both models were upgraded with the new MR-series 1.5L engine from the Nissan Tiida, and are now available with the new "e4WD" system, which transfers power to the rear wheels when the front wheels spin.

With the success of the similarly-styled Scion xB in the United States, Nissan is taking under consideration exporting the third generation of the Cube as an entry-level model, which will reach the Japanese market during 2006. However, the car will not be available in Europe, as its place in the Nissan lineup is taken by the larger Note.