3 Times Nissan Designers Went RogueAutoblogJoseph PudlewskiFri, September 11, 2026 at 8:15 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The automotive industry has no shortage of wild concepts and strange vehicles that somehow made it off the production line. Several of these weird, yet surprisingly practical vehicles have come from Nissan. Whether the designers are going rogue – no pun intended – or are simply handed a blank canvas, the Japanese automaker's lineup has been home to a number of odd vehicles over the years. While Nissan is currently in recovery mode, there's no shortage of quirky vehicles to look back on.3. Nissan JukeWhen it comes to quirky vehicles, the Juke is arguably one of Nissan's tamer examples. Developed by the brand's European design team, the Qazana concept made its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. It was essentially a small crossover crossed with a beach buggy and a motorcycle.When the Juke went into production in 2010, it carried the same fundamental design as the concept. Bulging fenders, hidden rear door handles, and a high beltline were just some of the features that made it stand out. At launch, the Juke came powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generated 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to its small size and powerful engine, not to mention the availability of a six-speed manual gearbox, the Juke proved to be a sporty crossover with engaging driving dynamics.AdvertisementAdvertisement"One of the biggest challenges was trying to get the JUKE's dynamics, handling and ride to match the sporty styling. We started this process in June 2006. We brought a variety of different cars together – from hatchbacks to sports cars – and tested them to figure out what character we wanted to achieve," said Jamie Maclean, then a marketability engineer at Nissan Technical Center Europe, in a 2020 news release.NissanView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleDespite its quirky design, the Juke was fairly successful in the North American market. In 2011, its first full year on sale, more than 35,800 examples left dealer lots. Sales continued to rise to just over 38,000 units in 2014, but it was all downhill from there. In 2017, its final year in the United States, sales amounted to just over 10,100 units. Nissan still offers the Juke in other regions, and the concept for the third-gen model made its public debut earlier this year.NissanThinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.2. Nissan CubeWhile the Juke was essentially a lesson in quirky styling, the Nissan Cube was much more grounded. The first-generation model made its debut in Japan in 1998. It was a simple concept that combined visibility, a massive interior, and affordability. While the first Cube was successful in Japan due to its practical design, later generations took on a more creative aesthetic.NissanView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIt wasn't until the third generation that the Cube would come to North America, when the eccentric model made its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. It featured a more rounded, yet boxy design and was essentially a lifestyle vehicle. Nissan even offered a line of accessories that allowed for more personalization. Inside, the curves continue with a "casual lounge" aesthetic, and there's a floating instrument panel up front. Under the hood of the third-gen Cube sat a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque.Much like the Juke, the Cube saw initial success, with more than 21,400 examples sold in 2009 and nearly 23,000 units in 2010. Sales declined dramatically in the following years, dropping to just 3,784 models in 2014, and the Cube was pulled from the market as a result. Unfortunately for the Cube, sales continued to decline in its home country of Japan as well, and the model was discontinued entirely after the 2019 model year.NissanView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleShopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.1. Nissan Murano CrossCabrioletIt isn't all that uncommon for automakers to introduce a wild concept, then never bring it to market. When it comes to the Murano CrossCabriolet, however, Nissan did the exact opposite. A strange model from the very beginning, the CrossCabriolet was in a league of its own, with two doors, four seats, all-wheel drive, and a convertible top. It also came equipped with the same 245-horsepower V6 engine found in the standard Murano crossover.NissanView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the Juke and Cube followed market trends and the standard Murano was a well-positioned crossover, designers were testing the nameplate's limits with the Murano CrossCabriolet. On the surface, it looks like Nissan chopped the top off the Murano crossover, but it's more complicated than that. A source at Nissan confirmed the model's origins with Road & Track a few years ago.The Murano was in the middle of its second generation when Carlos Ghosn, then-CEO of Nissan, gave product planning and engineering teams two years to design the convertible crossover. While it looks similar to the Murano, the CrossCabriolet had to be redesigned from the engine back. Stiffness became a primary concern, what with the lack of a roof and B-pillar. The removal of the hatch resulted in less cargo space as well.NissanView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAn oddball through and through, the Murano CrossCabriolet was priced in the realm of $45,000 when it hit the market in 2011, a good deal more than the standard Murano and following a recession to boot. Sales of the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet were poor from beginning to end, totalling an estimated 6,000 examples by the time it was discontinued in 2014.Final thoughtsNissanNissan's designers have come up with some wild concepts over the years, but only a select few have made it to production. While the Juke and Cube saw some initial success before falling off, the Murano CrossCabriolet was a failure upon arrival. Looking at the brand's latest concepts, it seems the automaker's design teams are still hard at work defying convention. Earlier this year, Nissan unveiled several futuristic models, and if track records are anything to go by, it won't be surprising to see at least one vehicle head to market in the coming years.View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementDisclaimer: Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.