cube
Driven: 2012 Kia Soul !
Since its inception, Kia’s Soul has been near the forefront of a movement toward what might be called “hip, utility vehicles” (HUVs). Other examples would include Nissan’s Cube or Scion’s xB, to name just two. Not surprisingly, hipness is an essential ingredient in any HUV, meaning they’ve got to have plenty of attitude and style, tempered by underlying practicality.
Quick Drive: 2012 Nissan Cube 1.8S
The Nissan Cube isn’t a car one buys for flogging down your favorite back roads. It’s not very involving, nor very fast. Instead, it offers a unique physical space that is at once useful and interesting. Its distinctive boxy shape and asymmetrical exterior design might turn some customers off, but others are drawn to its useful shape and modern styling. This is definitely a car that feels (and looks) more at home on busy city streets than on a rural highway or canyon road. It resembles a small building given its unique structure, and it looks at home among the architecture of a cosmopolitan downtown.
Quick Drive: 2012 Kia Soul ! 2.0
If you’ve read our Quick Drive of the 2011 Kia Soul, you’ll know that we like this boxy little vehicle, except for a few issues. Of course, a month after we publish that piece, Kia sent us its new-and-improved 2012 Soul, and addresses some of our baser concerns with the otherwise competent Kia.
Quick Drive: 2011 Nissan Cube 6MT
In the past I’ve found the Cube to be utterly charming. Maybe it is because it seems to make no major claims about driving dynamics, and so sets expectations on the low side, but in the event I’ve genuinely had fun in the Cube. And this, despite our past testers having continuously variable transmissions (normally an object of derision, though Nissan CVTs are among the best). This time Nissan shipped us a Cube with a six-speed manual, which caused a small wave of joy to shudder through the Austin office.
Third Look: Nissan Cube Versus The Traditional Hatchback
The traditional hatchback, the vehicle of choice for poor college students and career pragmatists, is evolving. Although traditional hatches are still widely available, this new breed of hatches boasts funky looks and unique tech-laden interiors to lure customers in. Why should you buy one though? What advantages do these boxes have over traditional hatchbacks? We had a Nissan Cube SL for a week to find out.
List: Top Ten Spring Break Cars
It’s about that time of year again; if you’re a member of the 21-or-close-enough set, you’re likely to be planning some kind of splashy road trip to the sun-drenched lands. Florida, Mexico, it doesn’t matter, you’ll still need some wheels that look decent and have at least some room for a few of your closest party people. Our top picks for Spring Break cars put an emphasis on image, with a bone thrown in for practicality, occasionally.
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