Nissan Cube engines

The Nissan Cube is a Japanese subcompact car from Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Manufactured since 1998. Initially, the model was produced for sale only in Japan, later it was exported to Australia, Great Britain and Hong Kong. 3rd generation cars were already on sale in Europe and the USA. In the second generation, a modification of an electric car was released. Since 2014, Cube has only been sold in the Japanese market.

The Nissan Cube was offered with 7 engines since 1998 (6 petrol, 1 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.3 to 1.8 liters, power output from 64 to 128 hp. 5 use a timing chain and 1 a timing belt. 1 is turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Renault K9K (about 400,000 km).

Nissan Cube engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Nissan Cube 1 (Z10) 1998–2002
Nissan CG13DE1998–20001.3 L R475–82 hppetrolchain3.1 L~220,000 km
Nissan CGA3DE2000–20021.3 L R485–89 hppetrolchain3.1 L~230,000 km
Nissan Cube 2 (Z11) 2002–2008
Nissan CR14DE2002–20081.4 L R488–98 hppetrolchain3.4 L~220,000 km
Nissan HR15DE2005–20081.5 L R4100–116 hppetrolchain4.2 L~230,000 km
Nissan Cube 3 (Z12) 2008–present
Nissan HR15DE2008–present1.5 L R4100–116 hppetrolchain4.2 L~230,000 km
Nissan HR16DE2009–20111.6 L108 hppetrol4.3 L~300,000 km
Nissan MR18DE2009–20141.8 L R4122–128 hppetrolchain4.5 L~240,000 km
Other Nissan Cube engines generation not specified
Renault K9K2001–present1.5 L R464–115 hpdiesel, turbobelt4.5 L~400,000 km

Nissan Cube engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Nissan Cube?

Nissan Cube 1 (Z10) (1998–2002): Nissan CG13DE and Nissan CGA3DE; Nissan Cube 2 (Z11) (2002–2008): Nissan CR14DE and Nissan HR15DE; Nissan Cube 3 (Z12) (2008–present): Nissan HR15DE, Nissan HR16DE and Nissan MR18DE.

Which Nissan Cube engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Nissan Cube engines are: Renault K9K — about 400,000 km; Nissan HR16DE — about 300,000 km; Nissan MR18DE — about 240,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Nissan Cube engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan CG13DE — 3.1 L (5W-30); Nissan CGA3DE — 3.1 L (5W-30); Nissan CR14DE — 3.4 L (0W-20); Nissan HR15DE — 4.2 L (5W-30); Nissan HR16DE — 4.3 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-60 / 15W-40); Nissan MR18DE — 4.5 L (5W-30); Renault K9K — 4.5 L (5W-30, 5W-40).

Does the Nissan Cube have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Nissan CG13DE, Nissan CGA3DE, Nissan CR14DE, Nissan HR15DE and Nissan MR18DE; timing belt: Renault K9K. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Nissan Cube available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Renault K9K.

Engine details

Nissan CG13DE

Nissan CG13DE

1992–2003 · 1.3 L R4 · petrol · 75–82 hp · chain

Most often, owners turn to a service to replace stretched timing chains.

Nissan CGA3DE

Nissan CGA3DE

2000–2003 · 1.3 L R4 · petrol · 85–89 hp · chain

The most common procedure is to replace stretched timing chains.

Renault K9K

Renault K9K

2001–present · 1.5 L R4 · diesel · 64–115 hp · belt

The most famous problem with such engines is cranking of the connecting rod bearings. This happens especially often with engines from Europe,…

Nissan CR14DE

Nissan CR14DE

2002–2013 · 1.4 L R4 · petrol · 88–98 hp · chain

In the first years of production, cases of hanging valves were periodically recorded.

Nissan HR15DE

Nissan HR15DE

2004 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 100–116 hp · chain

The engine is considered quite reliable and gives the owners a few problems.

Nissan MR18DE

Nissan MR18DE

2004 · 1.8 L R4 · petrol · 122–128 hp · chain

Due to thin walls, there were cases of cracking of the cylinder head when tightening bolts or candles.

Nissan HR16DE

Nissan HR16DE

2005 · 1.6 L · petrol · 108 hp

This very reliable motor in the first years of production was marked by a whole bunch of problems: there were difficulties with…

Models with the same engines

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