Boxing clever with Nissan's funky Cube

NISSAN'S Cube has a long history in Japan, where it has evolved from a conventional boxy thing of zero beauty to a funkier shape, still boxy but with rounded shoulders. Now it is on sale here.

This latest model has asymmetric rear roof pillars, one solid, one with a quarter-light to give improved vision for the driver.

Nissan makes versions to suit left-hand drive and right-hand drive markets. The pillar without the quarter-light has an interior storage shelf, which is useful. This lopsided look is the Cube's distinguishing feature from Toyota's funky Urban Cruiser and Kia's funkier Soul. Funky seems to summarise these shapes. They are functional but with a visual buzz.

There's not much between them in overall size. The Cube is the tallest, the Soul is the longest and widest. The Japanese models start around 14,000. The South Korean Soul undercuts them massively and looks the value buy. All Kias have a seven-year warranty. Worth thinking about.

The Cube looks strange. The apparent loss of one roof pillar to glass is a conceit, but clever. Why not have the quarter-lights in each rear pillar? Because the driver needs only one for over-shoulder visibility.

At the launch presentation we were told that the Cube's front was inspired by a bulldog wearing sunglasses. The video showed us a bulldog. It was a French breed and slightly prettier than the car's face. Whatever, there was more to come.

The inspiration for the rear end was the curvy actress Jennifer Lopez. No contest and Lopez is symmetrical. The windows were themed by photo frames. Yes, that's obvious. The interior: based on the open sociable feeling you get in a Jacuzzi on holiday. Grrr. I blame the French for all this waffle. They have a big input at Nissan, having, via Renault, saved it from financial meltdown. The two giants are now an alliance and the Cube uses a Renault diesel engine.

Japan needs to look nowhere for design purity. Its culture is about shape and form. The Cube's segmented sliding roof is translucent and reminds me of the "paper walls" used in Japanese architecture (and through which Inspector Clouseau's hapless but loyal servant Cato leapt). This roof slides back in scalloped sections and is charming.

The lighting for the two main instrument dials is based on the view of Earth from the moon, and vice-versa, one having a pale grey halo, the other a pretty azure edge.

That's the background picture. What of the Cube as a passenger vehicle? The rear door is side-hinged to suit right-hand drive and left-hand drive markets. In right-hand drive markets we get the hinges on the right, which makes access from the kerb easier and safer, assuming you have parked on the nearside. The side-swinger misses the canopy convenience of a top-hinged tailgate but means you can get into the luggage area easily in a confined space by opening the door partially.

This is a good time to mention the rear lights, which are low and not visible in a line of traffic. There is plenty of headspace, more than most of us need. The rear seat can be moved to and fro to share luggage and legroom. Surprisingly, when folded flat for maximum luggage space it leaves a big step in the deck. Nissan's crack team at its Cranfield technical centre worked on the suspension tune for Europe, but in a tall car you must not expect the verve of a hatchback.

Dynamically, the Cube is capable but average. This is a car you'll buy because you like the shape, the convenience of the boxy body for getting to your seats easily, the fact that it is different. I do not expect to see too many any day soon.

Like the Soul and the Urban Cruiser, the Cube is not going to sell in huge numbers in Britain. That said, I'd be happy to trundle about in any one of them for their cheerful outlook and versatile interior.

On the road

It is: Five-door estate on sale now with a 1.6-litre, 108.5bhp petrol engine and five speed gearbox, priced from 14,000 for the entry model to 15,100 for the Kaizen. A CVT automatic gearbox adds 1,000. This year a 1.5-litre, 108.5bhp diesel, at 1,200 more than the petrol engine, will be added. Petrol model: Easy going suits this motor, with an official 0-62mph time of 11.3 seconds and a maximum of 109mph.

Economy: 34mpg urban, 50.4mpg extra urban and 42.8mpg combined. The CO2 figure is 151g/km (the diesel is 135g/km).

Cube kit: The standard model has 16-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, air conditioning, Bluetooth, cruise control, push-button starting with a smart key, stability management and a CD player. The Kaizen adds a rear parking camera, climate control, auto lamps and wipers.