Kubistar benefits from the latest round of revisions found on Kangoo, including the excellent 1.5-litre dCi common rail diesel powerplant. This produces 57hp, 65hp or 82hp depending on version. A 1.2-litre petrol engine capable of 60hp is the other option.
Like its brother the Kangoo, Kubistar handles and rides well and we cannot heap enough praise on the dCi engines; they are smooth, refined and very fuel efficient. Kubistar also exhibits good levels of refinement as well as holding its own in the ride and handlign department.
With a rear loading height of 520mm and 2.7m3 of load space, Kubistar has a gross payload of 625kg for the petrol variants and 620kg for the diesels. An 800kg payload is available as an option on the top spec 70SE and 80SE models.
Nissan offers two specificationsm across the range; E and SE. Even the E spec provides remote central locking, power steering, driver’s airbag, radio/cassette with steering wheel controls, partial bulkhead, rubber load mat and wheelarch protection. Move up to SE and you get electric windows and mirrors, anti-lock brakes, overhead shelf and a radio/CD player. There are also various Option Packs available and one or two sliding side doors can be specified on SEs for £235 and £400 respectively.
Kubistar, like all of Nissan’s LCVs, is protected by a three year/60,000 mile mechanical warranty.
VERDICT
Nissan cannot go wrong with Kubistar. It’s an established product — thanks to the success of the Kangoo — and the well priced Option packs offer an easy upgrade route.
The Kubistar ceased to be on sale in the UK from summer 2009. It was effectively replaced by the NV200 in November 2009.