REPORT: Once again, the Nissan Cube proves that it's hip (for older folks) to be square
2009 Nissan Cube Krom - Click above for high-res image gallery
Apparently, those with graying temples are attracted to cars that automakers had originally intended for younger audiences. This trend was most recently noticed with Honda Element and Scion xB, which featured heavily youth-slanted marketing schemes but were often purchased by those with a bit more experience under their belts.
By now, it's clear that trend is here to stay. According to USA Today, each automaker that offers a box-it-came-in mobile here in the United States – a list that includes the Honda Element, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube and Scion xB – reports that the average buyer is over the age of 40 and brings home over $60,000 per year.
Not surprisingly, it's not just the looks of these cars that attracts older buyers. Experts from AutoPacific and Edmunds suggest that the practical nature of such a design and its low price are key components of the genre's success. Just as long as somebody is buying them, we're pretty confident the boxy-but-cheap segment is here to stay.
Gallery: 2009 Nissan Cube Krom
[Source: USA Today]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Brian 10:02AM (9/24/2009)
These things are basically the sub-20k station wagons of the 21st Century.
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geo.stewart 10:20AM (9/24/2009)
It's not too hard to figure out, you see it everyday
And those that were the farthest out have gone the other way
You see them on the freeway, It don't look like a lot of fun
But don't you try to fight it; "An idea who's time has come."
Don't tell me that I'm crazy
Don't tell me I'm nowhere
Take it from me
It's hip to be square
or is it that its good for those old hips to be in an elevated seat in a square? nah, that doesnt sound as good.
homunculus 1:35PM (9/24/2009)
I don't think many of you understand the mentality of older folks.
Sure there are some who are comfortable with older things, but there are a lot who feel anxiety about being over the hill and not part of what's new and fresh so they embrace more extreme and youth-oriented things.
Polly Prissy Pants 2:04PM (9/24/2009)
I don't know about all that psycho babble but I do know a few seniors. This applies to more women than men but generally they want a small, cheap car that's easy to get in and out of and that sits up high so they can see the road easier. They also want to be able to easily load and unload their stuff since they don't bend over the way they used to. Put all that together and you get the Cube. Or the xB.
geo.stewart 2:45PM (9/24/2009)
uhh, humunculus, you are talking out of your butt again. that's not polite to do in public dude.
Nightcrawler 7:18PM (9/24/2009)
It's not so much that they think these vehicles are cool and want to look young again. It's that they are old enough that they no longer care what it looks like, they are buying it because it's practical.
If you asked them, they might tell you they think it's ugly. But they don't have to impress anyone anymore. They've been married for 20 years and haven't impressed anyone in at least that long, so they aren't worried about impressing anyone now. I should know, I fall in that group and I'd consider buying one, for the exact reasons I stated.
Batman 10:06AM (9/24/2009)
The stat states that avg. buyers 40 probably because they buy them for they're kids
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daleam 11:17AM (9/24/2009)
Every time I've passed one I think "There goes another kid in one of those ugly box.... Oh, he looks at least fifty."
Dude 11:32AM (9/24/2009)
That argument doesn't fly. If not for the senior set, I wouldn't see any of these cars on the road. These are cars for people on a fixed income and bad eyesight.
inline6 11:58AM (9/24/2009)
Yeah, I'm sure the average 40 year-old had their first kid at 22-24...
Nah, boomers are driving these things because they make their boomer friends think that they've "still got it".
Sigh.
gerrrg 1:31PM (9/24/2009)
@Dude
You need an attitude shift, if you think 40 means 'senior set'.
Rich 3:55PM (9/24/2009)
I work with a bunch of people who had their first kid around 40 years of age. I'm one of them. As a group, we look much younger than we are.
Just don't ask about the cars we drive...
leventpascha 10:06AM (9/24/2009)
I would think most of those older buyers are buying these cars for their kids. Most young people do not have enough credit to buy a car, and it is a lot cheaper to insure a car if it's owned by an older folk.
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That One Person 4:53PM (9/24/2009)
People said that about the xB, xA and xD and the majority of the people driving those are older (40s to 50s and I see the occasional 60-70 year old driving one). The tC is the only Scion that I see kids driving around.
And of the four Cubes I have seen on the road, one was obviously being piloted by someone under 30. The other three were women who were obviously over 40.
But who knows, maybe you are right...
JZeke 10:14AM (9/24/2009)
These are def the darlings of the older crowds.
From San Francisco to NYC, I've seen people my parents age or older rocking them. I'm interested in the whole "mobile living room" paradigm, but I can't get over the fact that the driving experience, frankly sucks. Sure these cars could be setup to handle better, or given a low pressure turbo for more poke. But i'm not a tuner beyond simple upgrades, and I like a warranty.
For older crowds who've lost that hormonal drive to tear around corners, or accelerate with alacrity they make alot of sense. For 30 somethings with libido however, they kinda fall flat.
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JD 10:23AM (9/24/2009)
I can't get myself to like this vehicle. That front end has nothing Nissan about it...and is ugly.
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iijohn88ii 10:29AM (9/24/2009)
I like the Soul, the XB, the Element & the Flex.
- the Soul looks sleek
- the XB can look sweet if the colors and accesories are just right.
- the Element is just awesome. I had one as a company vehicle for a little while. Loved it! Its SOOO roomy, good fuel economy and just a nice ride!
- the Flex is the one I'd get tho if I had a choice.
I couldn't get used to looking at the Cube tho. This things exterior is too... yuk!
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Hamhock 10:28AM (9/24/2009)
They are cute except for the assymetrical thing. I like the curve into the rear bumper. The assymetrical thing is a dealbreker, though (like center stack instruments)
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ezurk00 10:28AM (9/24/2009)
I guess it's good somebody is buying the Cube -- young people don't want a car that fugly!!!
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AladdinSane 10:36AM (9/24/2009)
BRAVO!
If an over 40 digs this machine for him or herself I say power to you all. Well done for not going the conservative way with a boring sedan, wagon or whatever.
Later for all you with nothing positive to say except that it's "fugly." Those remarks grow real tired concerning machines like the Cube, Smart, and others. If you don't dig something just tune it out and forget about it for yourselves.
Peace!
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