Welcome, tomcj2!
I love the Cube. There's one in my neighbourhood - funky machine.
If you want to "experience" some aspects of a Micra before you get to Ontario, go look at a Versa sedan and/or Note. Same 1.6L engine and manual transmission, same brakes / suspension (though the Micra comes with a rear stabilizer bar standard -- not sure about the Versa). Many of the interior components (dash/front seats) are the same as well.
Would you be going for the manual or automatic? I assume you're considering a base S manual, since that's the $10k option. Autobox is where the biggest difference is: the Micra has an old-school 4-speed slushbox, but the Versa auto is a CVT. Not comparable at all.
The Micra is fairly tall for a subcompact and has tons of headroom. Ingress/egress is easy - though obviously not as easy as your Cube which is even taller and has bigger doors. Again, if you try a Versa sedan, I think you'll get the idea.
I'll let someone else comment on the tire rubbing question, but my bet is they'd be OK.
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View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...