2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2009 Nissan Cube

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What is it?
2009 Nissan Cube

What's special about it?
We've driven a 2008 Nissan Cube in right-hand-drive Japanese specification. We've also seen it as an art project in the hands of students from the Brooks and Pratt Institutes. Now at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, we're seeing the 2009 Nissan Cube, an actual production car that you'll be able to buy in the spring of 2009.

The steering wheel is on the left side in this Nissan Cube, of course, and at 156.7 inches from nose to rump, it's nearly 10 inches longer than the previous-generation Cube we tested and it also rides on a 4-inch-longer wheelbase. If we were in Japan, there would probably be a third-row seat stuffed into this extra space, but for us, the extra length merely translates to more cargo room and better crashworthiness. As before, the second-row bench slides fore and aft.

Fortunately, Nissan's box-shaped car hasn't grown so large that it's no longer cute: It's still more than 10 inches shorter than the Scion xB and a foot shorter than Nissan's Versa hatchback.

Just as important, the 2009 Nissan Cube has the same overall shape as its iconic Japanese forbears and retains their signature styling cues. Up front, the slotted grille and lozengelike lighting elements are familiar — Nissan hopes the fascia design makes you think of a "bulldog in sunglasses." In back, you can't miss the asymmetrical swing gate and the wraparound illusion for the rear glass.

Inside the cabin, the JDM Cube's front bench seat has given way to traditional bucket seats, and the cabin strikes us as more individually designed than the prepackaged setup in the Versa.

Flowing curves and oblong vents help disguise an otherwise unremarkable dual-cowl dash. Look up and the wavy, circular motif continues as concentric circles ripple out from the center of the headliner. On the lengthy accessory list, you'll find "Magic Rubber Bands," which, says Nissan, are colorful rubber straps that allow you to secure maps, photos, towels and small stuffed animals to the door armrests. You see, the 2009 Nissan Cube isn't just a car for young people. It's a car for young, weird people.

There shouldn't be anything weird about how this Cube drives, though. Ours will come solely with a 1.8-liter inline-4 engine rated at 122 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque — just like in the Versa. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), both driving the front wheels. Performance probably won't excite you, but the Cube should be lighter than the Versa, so it won't be slow.

Suspension still consists of struts in front and a torsion beam in the rear, but with the new Cube's longer wheelbase and wider 195/60R15 tires, we're expecting better control in the ride and handling department. The steering uses electric power assist.

Nissan says it will offer base, S and SL trim levels on the 2009 Nissan Cube. We don't yet know how they'll be priced, but we expect all but the base model to come with air-conditioning, power accessories and keyless entry. Safety features include full airbag coverage, antilock brakes and stability control.

Among the factory options are keyless start, Bluetooth, an upgraded Rockford Fosgate stereo, satellite radio and iPod integration. Unusual for a subcompact, there's an option to add rear sonar, too.

Inside Line says: Though it's Americanized for our protection, the 2009 Nissan Cube appears not to have lost its predecessor's offbeat, Japanese city-car character. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor