Nissan Cube: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan Cube version to choose depends mainly on whether you prioritize performance, fuel use, transmission type, or AWD. Across its four catalogue periods—from the first generation produced between February 1998 and August 2000 through the third generation ending in December 2019—the Cube remained a Compact Van.
The Nissan Cube version to choose depends mainly on whether you prioritize performance, fuel use, transmission type, or AWD. Across its four catalogue periods—from the first generation produced between February 1998 and August 2000 through the third generation ending in December 2019—the Cube remained a Compact Van. The catalogue contains six original first-generation versions, four restyled first-generation versions, seven second-generation versions, and eight third-generation versions. The strongest option is the third-generation 1.8 MT or 1.8 CVT, each producing 122 hp and 172 Nm. The only measured combined-consumption leader is the first-generation 1.3 CVT with 85 hp and AWD, at 5.9 l/100 km. Buyers wanting AWD can find it in selected 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 versions, while buyers wanting a Manual gearbox must look to the third generation.
Nissan Cube generations and version differences
The original first generation, built from February 1998 to August 2000, is a Compact Van represented by six versions. Every version has a 1,275 cc Gasoline engine, but output varies between 79 hp, 82 hp, and 85 hp. The range includes 1.3 AT and 1.3 CVT models, primarily with FWD; one 85 hp 1.3 CVT has AWD. All use Inline, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated engines. This period offers the lowest listed kerb weights, including 835 kg for the 85 hp 1.3 AT and the AWD 85 hp 1.3 CVT.
The first-generation restyling ran from September 2000 to September 2002 and remained part of the first generation. It is a Compact Van with four versions. The 1,275 cc 1.3 AT and 1.3 CVT models produce 85 hp and 120 Nm, while the 1,348 cc 1.4 CVT raises output to 101 hp and 123 Nm. That means the 1.4 CVT adds 16 hp but only 3 Nm over the 85 hp 1.3 models. AWD is available on one 1.3 CVT; the remaining listed versions are FWD.
The second generation, offered from October 2002 to October 2008, is a Compact Van with seven versions. Its 1,386 cc 1.4 AT and 1.4 CVT versions deliver 98 hp and 137 Nm, while the 1,498 cc 1.5 AT and 1.5 CVT versions deliver 109 hp and 148 Nm. Moving from the 1.4 to the 1.5 therefore adds 11 hp and 11 Nm. Transmission choices include 4-speed Automatic and Variable units, and AWD appears with both 1.4 AT and 1.5 AT.
The third generation, produced from November 2008 to December 2019, is a Compact Van with eight versions. It has the broadest engine choice: a 1,461 cc turbo Diesel 1.5 CVT and 1.5 MT, a 1,498 cc Gasoline 1.5 CVT, a 1,596 cc Gasoline 1.6 CVT and 1.6 MT, and a 1,798 cc Gasoline 1.8 MT and 1.8 CVT. Outputs range from 109 hp to 122 hp. Most versions are FWD, although the 109 hp Gasoline 1.5 CVT is also listed with AWD.
Nissan Cube engine specs
Repeated names below are distinguished by output, fuel, transmission, or drive because the catalogue contains different versions sharing the same name.
| Generation | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1.3 AT | 79 hp | 106 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First | 1.3 AT | 82 hp | 106 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First | 1.3 CVT | 82 hp | 106 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| First | 1.3 CVT | 85 hp | 120 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| First | 1.3 AT | 85 hp | 120 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First | 1.3 CVT | 85 hp | 120 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| First, restyling | 1.3 CVT | 85 hp | 120 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| First, restyling | 1.3 AT | 85 hp | 120 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First, restyling | 1.3 CVT | 85 hp | 120 Nm | 1,275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| First, restyling | 1.4 CVT | 101 hp | 123 Nm | 1,348 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second | 1.4 AT | 98 hp | 137 Nm | 1,386 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.4 AT | 98 hp | 137 Nm | 1,386 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second | 1.4 CVT | 98 hp | 137 Nm | 1,386 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second | 1.4 AT | 98 hp | 137 Nm | 1,386 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 AT | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second | 1.5 CVT | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 AT | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third | 1.5 CVT | 110 hp | 240 Nm | 1,461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third | 1.5 MT | 110 hp | 240 Nm | 1,461 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.5 CVT | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third | 1.5 CVT | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Third | 1.6 CVT | 110 hp | 147 Nm | 1,596 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 MT | 110 hp | 147 Nm | 1,596 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.8 MT | 122 hp | 172 Nm | 1,798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.8 CVT | 122 hp | 172 Nm | 1,798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
Power per litre highlights different strengths. The restyled 1.4 CVT produces about 74.9 hp per litre, the highest result in the catalogue. The 110 hp Diesel 1.5 CVT and 1.5 MT produce about 75.3 hp per litre when calculated from their exact 1,461 cc displacement. The third-generation 109 hp Gasoline 1.5 CVT produces about 72.8 hp per litre, while the 122 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 CVT produce about 67.9 hp per litre. The Diesel’s 240 Nm also exceeds the 1.8’s 172 Nm by 68 Nm.
Nissan Cube performance, MPG, and fuel economy
Performance is fully measured for only a few versions. The first-generation AWD 85 hp 1.3 CVT reaches 100 km/h in 12 seconds and has a top speed of 160 km/h. Its consumption is 6.3 l/100 km in the city, 5.1 l/100 km on the highway, and 5.9 l/100 km combined.
In the third generation, the 110 hp 1.6 CVT reaches 100 km/h in 12.4 seconds and 170 km/h. Its consumption is 8.8 l/100 km in the city, 5.9 l/100 km on the highway, and 7 l/100 km combined. The 110 hp 1.6 MT reaches 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds and 175 km/h, making it 1.1 seconds quicker and 5 km/h faster than the 1.6 CVT. Its listed figures are 8.4 l/100 km in the city, 7.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 8.1 l/100 km combined.
The restyled 85 hp 1.3 AT and both restyled 85 hp 1.3 CVT versions have a 160 km/h top speed, but their acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured. The restyled 101 hp 1.4 CVT reaches 180 km/h; acceleration and consumption are not measured. Original first-generation 79 hp, 82 hp, and most 85 hp versions reach 160 km/h, but their acceleration and consumption are not measured.
For every second-generation version, acceleration, top speed, and fuel consumption are not measured. For the third-generation Diesel 1.5 CVT, Diesel 1.5 MT, Gasoline 1.5 CVT, 1.8 MT, and 1.8 CVT, acceleration, top speed, and fuel consumption are also not measured. These omissions should not be treated as zero consumption or zero performance.
Nissan Cube dimensions, weight, ground clearance, and tank size
Exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for every Nissan Cube version in the supplied catalogue. Weight capacity is likewise not measured as a separate parameter. Kerb weight, gross weight, clearance, and fuel-tank capacity are available selectively.
Original first-generation versions have 145 mm of ground clearance and a 42-litre tank. Listed kerb weights run from 835 kg to 980 kg, while listed gross weights are 1,290 kg or 1,340 kg. The 85 hp 1.3 AT at 835 kg has about 9.8 kg per hp. The AWD 85 hp 1.3 CVT, also at 835 kg, has the same ratio. The 82 hp 1.3 CVT at 980 kg carries about 12 kg per hp.
Restyled first-generation versions retain 145 mm of clearance and a 42-litre tank. Their listed kerb weights span 835–1,110 kg. The 85 hp 1.3 AT weighs 835 kg and has a measured gross weight of 1,340 kg; the difference is 505 kg. Gross weight is not measured for the other restyled versions.
Second-generation models have 140 mm of clearance and a 41-litre tank. Their listed kerb weights range from 1,060 kg to 1,180 kg; gross weight is not measured. The 109 hp FWD 1.5 AT weighs 1,060 kg, giving about 9.7 kg per hp. The 98 hp 1.4 CVT weighs 1,180 kg, or about 12 kg per hp.
Every third-generation version has 160 mm of clearance and a 52-litre tank. That is 20 mm more clearance and 11 litres more tank capacity than the second generation. Kerb weight is measured only for the 109 hp FWD Gasoline 1.5 CVT and the 110 hp 1.6 MT, both at 1,170 kg. Their respective ratios are about 10.7 and 10.6 kg per hp. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured across this generation.
Which Nissan Cube version should you buy?
For maximum catalogue performance, choose the third-generation 1.8 MT or 1.8 CVT. Both provide 122 hp and 172 Nm, gaining 12 hp and 25 Nm over the 110 hp Gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.6 CVT. Choose between them according to transmission preference: the 1.8 MT has a 6-speed Manual, whereas the 1.8 CVT has a Variable gearbox. Their acceleration, top speed, consumption, and weight are not measured, so the data cannot establish which is quicker or more economical.
For the strongest torque figure, choose the third-generation Diesel 1.5 MT or Diesel 1.5 CVT. Both deliver 240 Nm at 2,000 rpm, compared with 172 Nm at 4,800 rpm from the 1.8 versions. The Diesel pair produces 110 hp, uses FWD, and carries the Euro 4 label. Choose the 1.5 MT for a 6-speed Manual or the 1.5 CVT for a Variable gearbox; performance and consumption are not measured for either.
For measured acceleration among the later versions, the third-generation 1.6 MT is the clearest choice. Its 11.3-second run to 100 km/h beats the 1.6 CVT by 1.1 seconds, and its 175 km/h top speed is 5 km/h higher. The 1.6 CVT, however, has the lower measured combined consumption: 7 l/100 km versus 8.1 l/100 km.
For AWD, compare the first-generation 85 hp 1.3 CVT, the restyled 85 hp 1.3 CVT, the second-generation 98 hp 1.4 AT, the second-generation 109 hp 1.5 AT, and the third-generation 109 hp Gasoline 1.5 CVT. The third-generation AWD 1.5 CVT has 24 hp and 28 Nm more than the AWD first-generation 85 hp 1.3 CVT, plus 15 mm more clearance and a tank larger by 10 litres. Its acceleration, fuel consumption, and kerb weight are not measured, however.
For the strongest balance of measured fuel economy and low weight, the original AWD 85 hp 1.3 CVT stands out. It combines 5.9 l/100 km measured combined consumption, an 835 kg kerb weight, 145 mm of clearance, and a 12-second acceleration time. For a newer FWD alternative with a measured weight, the second-generation 109 hp 1.5 AT offers 148 Nm and 1,060 kg, but its performance and consumption are not measured.
Reliability, price, sale availability, engine-swap suitability, oil requirements, engine-mount details, interior specifications, and reasons for discontinuation are not measured in the supplied data. Those topics therefore cannot determine the recommendation. On catalogue figures alone, the 1.8 MT or 1.8 CVT is the power choice, the Diesel 1.5 MT or 1.5 CVT is the torque choice, the 1.6 MT is the measured acceleration choice among third-generation versions, and the original AWD 85 hp 1.3 CVT is the measured economy choice.