Nissan Cube: Something weird is coming

For such a small box, the Cube feels voluminous inside. Still, front-seat space is a little tight for those of average height or greater. We assume the new version will feature a front seat that moves back a bit farther.

The Japanese Cube is powered by a 1.4-liter engine that produces a mere 90 horsepower. That was plenty of power to move the little car smartly in city traffic, where it's actually fun to drive. But entering highway traffic or going uphill, it felt strained. Clearly, more power will be needed for this market.

For what seemed like a bare-bones economy model, the Japanese Cube had a couple of surprisingly upscale features. The car was equipped with an electronic all-wheel-drive system called eAWD that shifted some power to the back wheels if the front lost traction.

It also had a keyless ignition system that allowed the car to be unlocked and started while the key stayed in the driver's pocket.

NEXT: One-sided view