Looks familiar? The Nissan Cube might already ring a bell, even though it’s only just been launched here.

Privately-imported versions of this wacky car have been drifting over here for quite a while and are popular with people who want something a little unusual.

Now, seven years after the first Cube was launched in its native Japan, the company is making it available in the UK from £14,000.

The Cube quickly became a cult hit. Deliveries began here in January in 1.4 litre petrol form, with a diesel version following in May.

It’s not to everyone’s taste, obviously. But Nissan, conscious of the need to appeal to younger drivers, believes it will be a major success here.

Cube has been conceived as a totally different take on accepted automotive design, challenging convention and emphatically putting the fun into function.

Its compact footprint is perfectly suited to crowded city streets, while the boxy body provides ample interior space. And while its unique styling means it stands out, it has a practical purpose, too. By wrapping the rear window around the nearside C-pillar, rearward visibility is enhanced, to make parallel parking and lane changing that much easier and safer.

Also convenient is a rear door that’s side hinged, refrigerator-style, allowing loading from the kerb for added convenience and safety, while its three fixed opening positions enable loading and unloading in tight spaces without any need to hold the door.

Inside, Cube is equally individual, with a clever, inspired and surprisingly open lounge-style space for five – the ‘Jacuzzi Lounge’ concept – offering the perfect environment for relaxing, travelling and socialising.

Cube’s unique approach has not gone unnoticed in the design world, and it has been named one of the 50 cars that changed the world by the London Design Museum.

The simple line-up is designed to offer a straightforward choice and comprises only two grades, starting at £14,000. Each version provides a template for drivers to create their own, customised Cube using a seriese of accessories that range from the practical to the frivolous – a fluffy dashboard mat, for example – and tattoos.

The standard Cube grade not only introduces iconic asymmetric design to your driveway, but also includes the glass roof, 16in alloys, rear privacy glass, ESP, i-Key with start/stop button – allowing vehicle unlocking/locking even when the key is secreted in a pocket or bag – manual air conditioning, Bluetooth and cruise control. Spend a little more and you can upgrade to Kaizen trim. Available from £15,100, this adds the Nissan Connect audio and navigation system, a rear parking camera, automatic headlights and wipers and full climate control to the lengthy standard equipment list.

The engine range is just as simple. Providing the perfect partner for every Cube buyer, Nissan’s 1.6-litre 110 PS (108bhp) petrol engine gives the Cube emissions as low as 151g/km and combined fuel economy as high as 42.8mpg. The only decision is whether to choose the sharp-shifting manual transmission or opt for Nissan’s advanced X-tronic CVT. Cube carries a 15E insurance group rating.

Anyone looking to minimise running costs over a higher mileage should look out for a frugal 1.5-litre diesel engine joining the range in May.