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If he were with us today, the great Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi would just love the Nissan Cube. One look at those deep-set windows and the vehicle’s impressive originality and it reminds anyone who’s been to Barcelona or knows the architect’s work of Gaudi’s uniquely individualistic style.

Gaudi took inspiration from no one and Nissan seems to have done the same with the new Cube. There’s no mistaking the boxy - yet somehow curvaceous - Cube out on the road and driving one, you’ll get more double-takes than you would in a Ferrari.

It really is a highly distinctive design and if it reminds me of anything, it conjures up those wonderful (usually never built) concept vehicles Japanese makers used to amaze us all with each Tokyo show.

Quite apart from being an outstandingly “trendy” product, the Cube is highly practical as might be imagined, given its shape. It’s based on the Nissan Versa platform, but the design resemblance ends right there. The Versa is a great little hatchback, but it follows more traditional lines for that class than the Cube.

In fact, the Cube isn’t any kind of hatchback at all. Its big rear door is hinged vertically on its left side and thus opens much like a normal car door. It offers exceptionally easy access to the load area, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seatbacks. Some upward- opening rear hatches are heavy and difficult for people of small stature or advancing years to deal with, but the Cube’s door can be swung open with fingertip ease. The loading height is reasonably low too - great for anyone who suffers from lower back pain, or doesn’t want to get that way.

Interestingly, the Cube name has been used in Japan for over ten years and the vehicle that’s finally arrived in Canada is the third generation, so it’s really “well-proven.”

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The Cube uses a similar engine to its stablemate Versa - a 1.8- litre, 4-cylinder providing 122-horsepower, which is just fine for urban use and occasional freeway trips. My tester was fitted with Nissan’s continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT), which functioned well. Personally, I’d like to see CVTs in far wider use so my policy is always to “encourage” development of these technically- interesting transmissions. Also available is a well-designed and slick 6-speed manual transmission. The CVT offers better fuel economy than the manual - it’s often the other way around.

For its sub-$17,000 base price, the Cube boasts a wide range of standard equipment, including air-conditioning, power locks and remote entry, power windows, cruise control and six air bags. Both Cube trim packages have stability control too. Anti-lock brakes are standard on the Cube, so this affordable little rig is no “stripper” by any stretch of the imagination.

The interior matches the exterior as far as design innovation goes and I liked it a lot. It’s very roomy and comfortable and all the fittings are of very good quality and feel - no surprise, really, in any Nissan. It’s great fun to drive and I guess owners will get used to everyone staring at them as they cruise by.

The Cube should find a place among young urban drivers who are highly style-conscious but have a practical turn of mind too. Often though, vehicles like this find a place in the “empty nester” market - older folk who want something interesting and original to drive that still has room enough to take the grandchildren out for the day - and doesn’t cost a bunch of money. That’s exactly how things panned out for the hugely-successful Chrysler PT Cruiser.

SPECS AT A GLANCE...

BODY STYLE: 5-door “crossover”
ENGINE: 1.8-litre, 122-horsepower 4-cylinder
TRANSMISSION: Automatic CVT
PERFORMANCE: Zero to 100 km/h in approx 11-secs
FUEL ECONOMY: 7.3-litres/100 km city; 6.5-litres/100 km hwy. (CVT as tested)
PRICE: $16,998 base