Chicago 2009: U.S.-spec Nissan Cube and Cube Krom
by Frank Filipponio on Feb 12th 2009 at 11:38AM 
Click above to view live shots of the Nissan Cube Krom and Krom-less
While we've already told you pretty much everything we know about the new-to-these-shores Nissan Cube, what we haven't shared are many pics. We covered the asymmetrical Cube when it appeared at the LA Auto Show, but based on your comments, more is better in this case. When we saw the special Cube Krom on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show, we figured we could remedy that situation by adding a fistful of new photos to the database.
Whether in blinged out Krom trim or regular old just-Cube form, this is one unique vehicle with an attitude that reminds us of the first-generation Scion xB. It should, as these two vehicles came from the same Japanese market that values quirky, versatile and small in the same package. In addition to the plain white model that was in Los Angeles, Nissan brought along the Krom and another customized version seen here. This green example shows the customization possibilities that Nissan wants to promote in this new model. The body kit, wheel upgrade and rear spoiler really make this Cube shine. You can see our previous post on the Cube for more details, but don't forget to feast your eyes on these live shots from Chicago. Keep your eyes open for the the carpet garden growing out of the dash and the zen ripples on the headliner.
Live photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shawn 11:46AM (2/12/2009)
Hmmm, I wonder what the chances are for a Cube SE-R?
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Joe K. 1:54PM (2/12/2009)
@23Cube.com
For those of us not interested, how about not posting the website on every post about this car?
and 23cube? What was 22cube taken?
TKE 11:48AM (2/12/2009)
This car makes so much sense. The minivan, as much as we've tired of it, was revolutionary in the 80s. The SUV, as silly as it sometimes seen now, did the same thing with the Explorer in the early 90s. I wonder if the Cube and Kia Soul, and the first generation xB had they stuck to their guns, will be perceived the same way the minivan and SUV were come 2020.
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1337 1:29PM (2/12/2009)
If the Cube were the first compact box-on-wheels vehicle, it might be revolutionary. However, Scion (xA, xB, xD), Honda (Fit, Element), GM (Aveo/G3, HHR), Chrysler (PT Cruiser), and several others beat the Cube to the American market. Granted, some of these wagons are not direct competitors to the Cube, but they all share a similar concept.
Even so, the Scion xB beat the Cube to the market by about five years, and I would still prefer a used xB over a new Cube.
tuna 2:01PM (2/12/2009)
I am just amazed by how many people are still ignorant to the fact that the cube came into existence after the Scion. In Japan the cube was the vehicle that started the box on wheels trend. Nissan USA is just slow to make a US entry with this car/model; something I'm sure they are painfully aware of. Granted in previous evolutions, it was not suitable for the US market in terms of power (under 100hp is grossly inefficient for US highways). The electric AWD option was quite innovative and I hope they add that to the US line-up.
Now you know.
tuna 2:02PM (2/12/2009)
I meant before the Scion.
mikhalian 4:09PM (2/12/2009)
While it is true that the Nissan cube started it's original production in 1998 (2 years earlier than the Toyota BB), it hadn't yet established the design philosophy that most westerners recognize until 2002... two years after the Toyota BB came out. Taking a look at the 1st and 2nd gen cubes and the original BB, it seems clear that styling and shape wise, the 2nd gen cube cribs more from the first gen BB, than the first gen BB takes from the the first gen cube. If it's a claim that Toyota copied the upright boxy wagon concept, I know Honda was selling something that fits that description more than ten years prior in the U.S. Was that the original upright boxy wagon? No. Every couple of generations something like that comes out.
Yikes 11:48AM (2/12/2009)
I don't know why, but I love this vehicle.
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1337 1:23PM (2/12/2009)
It looks decent from the front, but the rear is atrocious. On the road, people will intentionally rear-end Cubes to improve the rear-end styling.
Oh, and at only 30MPG Highway, it's inefficient by I4 mid-size sedan standards.
Mazda FTW! 11:49AM (2/12/2009)
Ick no thanks. I'll take a Accent/Fit over this. There should be poster of Carrot Top beside this vehicle which reads "You Must Be This Quirky To Drive This Vehicle".
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JDMlover 11:53AM (2/12/2009)
There is not one good looking thing about this...."thing"
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Ken Stamper 2:36PM (2/12/2009)
It's roomy and practical... there, I found two!
n0m4d 11:53AM (2/12/2009)
I like old jdm cube better. The rear bumper/taillight section really bothers me.
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UltimoDragon 12:55PM (2/12/2009)
n0m4d, I agree with you. Had they simply brought over the JDM version this would be great. Nissan overstyled this one and has eliminated a lot of its original exterior 'cubeness'. I just don't know what they were trying to achieve with the rear--the tailights in the midst of that rounded rump hump just doesn't look right.
For all of the complaints about Toyota 'ruining' the 2nd generation xB, this might be worse. (At least Toyota could argue that the xB was now challenging the PT Cruiser and the HHR.)
1337 1:30PM (2/12/2009)
Agreed. The rear is an eyesore.
Cellien 11:58AM (2/12/2009)
I tend to like extreme designs, but this is not good. I really don't like anything about it except the color on this one.
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Smegley 12:00PM (2/12/2009)
Looks good in green but the mileage is terrible
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Stumpy 12:15PM (2/12/2009)
I think they are a cool little car, that said, I would never buy one.
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Farris 12:25PM (2/12/2009)
I like it, personally. It's what the Scion xB revision 2.0 SHOULD have been.
Also, is "Krom" supposed to be pronounced "chrome?"
'Cool alternate spelling' fail.
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Swede 12:33PM (2/12/2009)
Oh dear. That's not gone well.
Krom is the scandinavian spelling of chromium. Why Nissan like it? I have no idea.
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