Cheryl-Anne’s View
The Cube a product of its time
There is, in case you haven’t noticed it, a lot of machismo in the automobile world. Dedicated motor heads who talk about a car being fun to drive are almost always referring to one of those long, low, slightly suggestive, slightly dangerous sports cars. And when they use the word drive, they secretly mean “tame.” It’s all about big horsepower and a bigger attitude.
But for the rest of us, those who aren’t projecting sexuality onto a machine, or can’t imagine saying, “And then I looked down at the speedometer and realized I was going 180!” at a cocktail party, the idea of a car being fun to drive means something altogether different.
The Nissan Cube, for example, is a car that is fun to drive. For the rest of us.
The quirky architectural exterior, with wrap-around glass and soft edges, gives you a good idea of what you’ll find inside. Like a ring box from a fine jewelry store, it makes you want to pop it open and take a peek.
The Cube doesn’t waste space. The interior is surprisingly roomy. High ceilings, wide seats and lots of leg room make it easy to sit back-–the rear seats recline–and enjoy the smooth ride. And it is smooth.
The Nissan Cube is a city car. Urban driving brings its own challenges. Potholes, speed bumps, cobblestones and trolly tracks. The Cube knows its territory and takes it all in stride.
The car is made for narrow streets, tight parking spaces and stop-and-go traffic. It moves at freeway speed and handles well but, again, this isn’t a car meant for racing.
It comes with a full compliment of safety features, such as stability control and side air bags.
The Cube does have a few funky qualities. Like the random disc of shag carpet on the dash. I never did figure out exactly that that was for. And the color-changing floorboard lighting option... It’s cute, but kind of distracting. Do I need to look at my feet while driving? I don’t think so.
But there’s a kind of smart-but-sexy quality about this car that is hard to ignore. Like a guy holding a baby. Or jazz. Or, a ring box from a fine jewelry store.
The Nissan Cube is for people who don’t need to brag about how fast they can get from zero to 60. For people too smart to think horsepower equals, in any way, real power.
That attitude is old school.
The Cube is an idea whose time has come. It proves you don’t have to have a big bad attitude to get a good ride.
Cheryl-Anne Millsap is a freelance writer living in Spokane. Her essays can be heard on Spokane Public Radio and on public radio stations across the country. She is the author of “Home Planet: A Life in Four Season,” and can be reached at catmillsap@gmail.com
