# Nissan Cube — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Nissan Cube on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/nissan-cube

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2010
- **Ideal trim**: 1.6 Kaizen
- **Target mileage**: 60,000–80,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 3
- **Target price**: £4,500

## Why this model

The Nissan Cube is a super quirky and practical choice if you want something different! It's got a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, great visibility, and it's generally a reliable little runner thanks to its proven Nissan engine. It's perfect for city driving and stands out from the crowd.

## What you should pay

Because of its unique looks, the Cube isn't for everyone, which means used prices are quite low. You can get a lot of character and practicality for your money. Prices have largely bottomed out due to its age, so you're buying into a stable value point.

## Which trim to buy

The Kaizen trim is definitely the one to go for. It adds some really nice-to-have features like sat-nav, rear parking sensors, and keyless entry, which make daily life a bit easier without adding much to the price on the used market.

## What to check before you buy

- Keep an eye out for rust, especially around the wheel arches and sills, as it's an older car.
- If it's an automatic (CVT), make sure the gearbox feels smooth with no jerking or slipping – Nissan CVTs from this era can sometimes be problematic if not maintained.
- Also, check all the electrics like windows and central locking, as minor gremlins can appear with age.

## Running costs

For the 1.6L petrol manual, you're looking at around 44.1 mpg. With petrol at roughly £1.45/litre (approx £6.59/gallon), that's about 15 pence per mile. Road tax for a 2010 1.6L Cube would be around £200-£240 per year (Band J/K depending on exact CO2). Insurance groups are generally low, making it affordable to insure for most drivers.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Petrol
- **Horsepower**: 108bhp
- **Mpg**: 44.1 mpg
- **Reliability Score**: Good
- **Safety Rating**: Not officially rated by Euro NCAP for the UK market, but expected to be 3-4 stars based on similar era Nissans.

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1.6 Acenta | £0 | £3,800 | Climate control; 16-inch alloy wheels; Bluetooth connectivity |
| 1.6 Kaizen | £0 | £4,500 | All Acenta features; Nissan Connect satellite navigation; Rear parking sensors |
| 1.6 S | £0 | £3,000 | Manual air conditioning; Steel wheels; Electric front windows |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £4,500 | 0% |
| 2027 | £4,000 | 11.1% |
| 2028 | £3,600 | 10% |
| 2029 | £3,200 | 11.1% |
| 2030 | £2,800 | 12.5% |

This car is already well past its steepest depreciation curve. You're buying it at a point where it's lost most of its value, so future depreciation will be much slower in absolute terms, though still a percentage of its remaining value.

Total value lost since new: 37.8%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Honda Jazz](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/honda-jazz.md)
- [Toyota Yaris](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/toyota-yaris.md)
- [Suzuki Ignis](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/suzuki-ignis.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.