Three generations of the existence of the Cube, the ultimate xB our shores, the punch of the boxy Honda Element, ’s Scion, and Kia Soul to beat. He rides on a shortened platform a Versa Versa notes?-Model and all four iterations are front-drive, and equipped only with a 122-hp, 1.8-liter. Oh, we will not “e-4WD.” Too expensive, says Nissan.

Speaking of price, it is not much, starting at $ 14,685, which includes stability control and A / C (an Ice Cube?). The price rises, as it works its way through the huge package “really top then $ 20,815 for a loaded Cube Krom. What are the brands Krom, we presume, Cube steak. The two top models in the way a six-speed manual CVT identical to the Versa’s.

Behold the 370Z convertible. Like the 350Z, it derives from a fastback coupe. But this convertible—which originated at Nissan Design America in San Diego—was more thoroughly baked into the new Z’s development program. The result is a design that’s much more integrated, much less a slab-sided afterthought.

In addition to its good looks, the new convertible is also easier to live with. The seating position is a little higher than before, providing a better view of what’s going on ahead. (Being in the command center in the previous Z-vertible was like sitting in a foxhole.) With the top up, the view straight astern is also improved, though here the distinction is academic, and as with so many convertibles, the rear-quarter sightlines are blind.

As you’d expect, the top is power operated—one switch does it all. It clamps itself to the windshield header with a resounding whack—a little too resounding, maybe, which also goes for the hard tonneau when the top stows itself. On the other hand, it’s at the high end of the cloth-top quality scale: nicely lined and better than many at damping wind noise.