My question is, why are people here complaining about (a little) more power? Clearly the performance numbers (Edmunds) show it’s far behind the current performance numbers of a modern American automobile AND it’s less efficient (Edmunds averaged 20mpg- less than every mid-size sedan they’ve tested) due to the frequent gas-mashing. More power does not automatically equal worse fuel economy, and can help broaden this car’s appeal to someone who might otherwise would pass this up. I’m not saying more weight, but more power, yes, please!

Do you live in one of the “Road Warrior” movies, perhaps? Or are you just horrendously impatient? I can’t imagine this much attention would be paid to 14 seconds (less than the time it took you to read this paragraph) if it wasn’t one of the two.

Can we all PLEASE stop pretending we’re participating in police changes, instead of driving to the mall and sitting in traffic? If you want to buy a car based SOLELY on the nine-minutes-a-year you spend on highway onramps, that’s fine with me…tell your $125 fill-up I said hi.

Still, as the xB2 so woefully demonstrated with its 22 MPG and nigh-unnoticeable power gain, even practicality to the nth degree can fall victim to the wrong engine. As one more first-gen xB owner who’s considering hiding his box instead of driving it…be gentle, Nissan.

I was a spectacle! I kept thinking something was horribly wrong with my cargo because everybody kept slowing down to stare at me.

Anyways, some quick number crunching tells me that a Cube with an 800lb load should be able to maintain 100mph on level ground, and 85mph up a 5% grade, assuming a Cd of 0.35 and the right gearing. With the semis probably going 50-60 up that same slope passing shouldn’t be a problem.

But what if it is a problem? Why do we have to have the ability to get by every tractor-trailer on a whim? This is part of the reality check that I’m talking about.

But seriously, a lot of modern cars already on the market combine excellent efficiency, performance, and safety. The car buying public now demands all 3, and 14 seconds to 60mph when the average modern four cylinder sedan is almost half that doesn’t. cut. it. Some people may associate an underpowered car with saving the planet but I sure as hell don’t.

There’s not a single good argument for them NOT upping the power, especially given the miserable fuel economy numbers it achieved (Edmunds observed results) from having to mash on the gas.

No, this type of minimalist hauler is just the reality check America needs. Just needs to be less ‘cutesy’.

They’ll f— it up with stupid rear doors that require you to open the front door first.

Or they’ll make it hugely overweight, ala Ridgeline.

I do wonder, is there something wrong with the driving standards in the USA? It seems that whenever a discussion starts about a smaller-than-large car someone always pipes up ‘it’ll get squashed like a tin can!’ or ‘I’m not driving around like a can of sardines’. Do drivers in the USA regularly run into smaller cars for fun? Is this some kind of new sport?

I saw the Cube in Japan in 2004 (it is an old model, after all). Cubic cars are popular over there as it’s the best way to get the most interior space into a rectangular parking area. The Cube definately has a cool factor about it and would be popular with university students.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46843049@N00/1193381283/

Probably exactly the same as it navigating the same roads in a Mini, Versa, Fit, or original xB, which is to say not bad at all.

For god’s sake, people, it’s still a car. It’s not like you’re rolling around in a go-kart or something. The whole “big cars are safer” thing is largely an illusion anyway.

Yeah, I’d love to have a model T. That’s a great idea! That would make me feel as good as my new superinsulated roof does. I wouldn’t mind chugging along blocking all the other traffic, because I would feel so virtuous.

Uh, Wolven, those of us on this site who are environmentalists are nonetheless here because we love cars probably just as much as you do.

First, the first gen xB had a 1.6 liter engine. While the Honda fit gets along with a 1.5, it is a better built engine than Toyota or Nissan have. Also, the fit has better aerodynamics. 1.4 in the Cube would make it slower than the xB. While fine for running around town, it would be a dog on the highway if you need to accelerate past a semi or some idiot. Also, it needs an engine that will be fine with a CVT/slushbox since that is what most people drive.

RTZ, based on the statement above, why do I get the feeling that you:
a) Drive something high with hp and rwd

and

b) all the while scream P-O-W-E-R!!! while merging onto the highway a la Jeremy Clarkson.

…and Hondas are famous for smooth, high-revving four bangers, yet they are overall about the most fuel efficient car company out there. Maybe Honda should make this thing. Then, flog away!

That’s pretty awful.

Loud engine or not, having to rev the engine a lot to keep pace wastes gas. Give me an extra 20 horsepower so I’ve got enough for the 2% of the time I have to dart ahead of an inattentive driver or merge in aggressive traffic, and make up for the ~1mpg difference with a transmission geared for better cruising.