Article Comments - 2008 Nissan Cube vs. 2008 Scion xB

23 messages, Last post on Nov 30, 2008 at 5:35 PM

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What is this discussion about? Scion xB, Nissan Cube, Wagon

Comparison Test: 2008 Nissan Cube vs. 2008 Scion xB - Don't we all have a happy childhood memory of our parents buying a new refrigerator — and getting to play in the giant delivery box? Within minutes, the box was refashioned into a clubhouse. Or it became a sled and we piled in for a tumble down the nearest hill. (more)

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#14 of 23 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Nissan Cube vs. 2008 Scion xB [anderlan] by alamocity Aug 22, 2008 (5:12 pm)
Replying to: anderlan (Jul 05, 2008 6:05 am) You forgot to mention the Forester.
#15 of 23 The cube is NOT hello kitty? by omi1 Aug 30, 2008 (1:26 am)
I am one of those people as well who liked the original XB. I hate it, now, COMPLETELY. Since I moved to Japan and saw the cube, I immediatly loved it more then the XB. I do not see hello kitty in it . I love a fast car but the Cube will work for me. Oh ya! All cars in Japan have a navigation system. Majority have iPod hook up. And TV
#16 of 23 Cheap vs. Premium by rockstonesteel Nov 28, 2008 (6:25 am)
I find both of these vehicles bordering on pathetic, both in styling and performance. The one vehicle in this category that will blow both of these away is the new Kia Soul that is coming to the US. However, the greatest unfortunate feature of all these vehicles is the lame torsion beam suspensions. It is sad that auto manufacturers are more consistently using these on small vehicles to save a buck at the expense of ride quality. I sincerely believe the market here in the US has a great desire for PREMIUM small cars that is not being met, yet we keep getting CHEAP small cars that are underpowered and have compromised suspensions (i.e. torsion beams). I believe that cars such as the Civic coupe, BMW Mini, and Rabbit, which all sell tremendously well indicate the true market for such vehicles. And those vehicles do not have to resort to bargain basement pricing, which indicates buyers are willing to pay for premium engines, transmissions, and suspensions. Additionally, automakers and the public need to get over the notion that small, underpowered engines somehow equate to good fuel economy. That simply isn't true, especially in US driving conditions. Vehicles typically need an approximate minimum of 1hp per 20 pounds of vehicle (or a maximum of 20 pounds of vehicle per 1 hp). Then give it a tall final drive ratio for the economy. This gives adequate off-the-line performance as well as decent highway driveability. And while Toyota has a decent reputation for fuel economy, the truth belies that myth. Toyota continues to use that lame 2.4 liter 4 cylinder which seriously lacks the horsepower or efficiency that an engine of that displacement should be getting. As a result, the Scion lineup gets seriously pathetic fuel economy ratings for that size and class of vehicle.
#17 of 23 Just My Opinion by arumage Nov 28, 2008 (7:13 am)
The Cube is just plain underpowered. I've heard some rumors that the cube will get the Versa's 1.8L 118hp for the US that will make it much better. The xB is overly heavy and has too much engine. I'm not a huge fan of the center mounted instruments either. A modest weight gain for added safety features along with the 1.8L engine featured in the Vibe would have been plenty, but instead it gained 700 lbs and 57hp. If I want a box on wheels, I'll go for the Kia Soul. At 140hp, it has enough oomph to get going on the highway. It's just a good compromise between the two boxy extremes that are the Cube and xB in my opinion. If everything goes as speculated... Nissan Cube 147" <2600 lbs 95 or 118hp 27.4 or 22 lbs per hp Scion xB 168" 3100lbs 158hp 19.6 lbs per hp Kia Soul 162" 2800lbs 122 or 142hp 22.9 or 19.7 lbs per hp
#18 of 23 I just drove a Versa by bankerdanny Nov 28, 2008 (9:05 am)
I got a Versa Sedan as a rental for a 360 mile one day round trip for thanksgiving with the family. To say I was unimpressed would be an understatement. It gets point for being very quiet, but the ride was 1970's Buick soft and I was particularly annoyed with the CVT. You have an infinite number of ratios between low and high. Why program it to act like a 4-speed auto. My trip included a few long steep hills. To maintain speed (abt 65 mph) the trans would "shift" to "3rd" and bump revs 1,000 rpms when maybe 500 would have done. It needlessly hurt MPG. I think the CVT is a fine idea, and Nissan's is better than the one Mini used, but it needs to be utilized better. The cost to make it work like a 6 or 7 speed is essentially $0 since it only requires new programming for the engine management system and not actually adding the extra gears. Replies to this message: rasldasl (Nov 28, 2008 5:35 pm)
#19 of 23 Re: I just drove a Versa [bankerdanny] by rasldasl Nov 28, 2008 (5:35 pm)
Replying to: bankerdanny (Nov 28, 2008 9:05 am) Unless your rental was the loaded SL model (doubtful) it did actually have a 4-speed automatic.
#20 of 23 Well there you go by bankerdanny Nov 29, 2008 (7:51 pm)
Moderately loaded, 6 disc CD, PW/PDL. I'm not sure which model it was.
#21 of 23 Cube/xB by solsticeturbo Nov 29, 2008 (10:35 pm)
I just purchased a 2009 Scion xD.This is the car that splits the difference between these 2 "extremes" tested here. It has plenty of pep and is fuel efficient.I came quite close to buying the Honda Fit, but Honda does not offer SAT radio on that car. My summation is that the xD offers subtantial "bang for the buck" in comparison to other vehicles in this class.If you need more torque/HP then the xB is the choice ;also Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe but the xD is a "pint size" version of these products and is much better looking in the "flesh" than internet or brochure photo's indicate. I bought my xD with the TRD 18" wheel/tire package;lowering springs;XM;rear bumper protector;cargo cover,by the way my car has nitrogen filled tires(!). I feel that this will become common place in the future as more and more vehicles feature the mandated TPMS systems.
#22 of 23 Re: APPLES TO ORANGES [sn58411] by ahsanman99 Nov 30, 2008 (8:15 am)
Replying to: sn58411 (Aug 21, 2008 11:37 am) both toyota XB and nissan cubes are cheap and waste of money,not to mention extremely ugly,uuuuggggllllyyy,fugly.now said that i'll take Honda Element please.Honda has better quality,reliability and dependability not to mention better resale value. Replies to this message: arumage (Nov 30, 2008 5:35 pm)
#23 of 23 Re: APPLES TO ORANGES [ahsanman99] by arumage Nov 30, 2008 (5:35 pm)
Replying to: ahsanman99 (Nov 30, 2008 8:15 am) The Element is certainly uglier than the xB although more asthetically pleasing than the Cube. It's not particularly good at anything, except for looking funky and being easy to clean. Atleast the xB and Cube are efficient with their use of space and have 4 real doors rather than cheesy half doors. Besides, the Element doesn't really compete with the xB or Cube, speaking of apples to oranges. It's more a competitor for the Ford Escape. It even fails there too given that the Escape has more HP and better gas mileage.