The Nissan Juke is a small SUV, about the same size as a supermini hatchback. It applied the same formula as its big brother, the Qashqai, but on a smaller scale, and it's a move that paid off handsomely for Nissan, even if the styling of the new car divided opinion.
What mattered to many buyers was the raised driving position, compact size and low running costs. One benefit of the original Juke’s bold looks is that Nissan only had to give it a mild facelift in 2014 to keep it selling strongly for a full nine years from its 2010 launch.
After some initial resistance, customers flocked to the Juke and liked its quirky touches, such as a centre console styled to look like the upper part of a motorcycle. The high-set headlamps and foglights gave that all-important off-road feel, even if very few Jukes were sold with four-wheel drive.
It may not have been the last word in refinement or driving dynamism, but it’s not overstating matters to say the Juke paved the way for all of the current small crossovers on offer today, such as the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Cross. The second-generation car, introduced in 2020, has continued its popularity.
Generations: 2
Nissan Juke mk2 (2020-)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features and facelifts of the Nissan Juke mk2:
- Manual transmission or DCT automatic transmission options
- Greatly improved boot and rear-seat space over previous Juke
- Infotainment system, standard on all but Visia trims, is not as simple to use as some rivals’
There was a lot Nissan needed to do to improve the second-generation Juke over its predecessor, including upgrading the ride quality, engine and cabin space. Dabbling with the styling was the trickiest challenge, but Nissan pulled it off and the new Nissan Juke modernised the design while still being instantly recognisable.
Under the skin, the Juke is based on the latest Renault Clio platform and initially came with a single 1.0-litre DIG-T turbo petrol engine with 115bhp. You picked between seven-speed twin-clutch automatic or six-speed manual gearboxes, and both feel lively and smooth. However, this engine’s 134g/km CO2 emissions are not as low as some rivals with hybrid powertrains. A hybrid would join the range later
Nissan has also improved the ride comfort noticeably for this second-gen Juke. We’d stick with the 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels of the lower and mid-spec models as the 19-inch wheels of the Enigma, Tekna and Tekna+ trim levels make the ride feel too firm.
The range starts with the Visia, which has daytime running lights, Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity, a 4.2-inch colour screen, cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. The Acenta adds 17-inch alloys, NissanConnect 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear-view camera. N-Connecta gains satnav, keyless entry and ignition, automatic climate control and, where the automatic gearbox is fitted, an additional suite of driver assistance systems called ProPilot. The Enigma has metallic paint, fog lights and big 19-inch alloys.
For the Tekna, Nissan provides its Advanced Safety Shield with 360-degree camera view, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Rear Cross-Traffic alert and other safety systems. It also has a Bose stereo, and heated front seats and windscreen. Choose the Tekna+ and you get all of this and a choice of two-tone metallic paint schemes and three contrasting colour inserts for the bumpers and side skirts.
Nissan Juke mk2 Review
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Nissan Juke mk1 (2010-2019)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features and facelifts of the Nissan Juke mk1:
- Facelift in 2014 brought more boot space and better build quality
- Nismo version comes with a 197bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine
- Centre console design was inspired by the shape of a motorcycle’s saddle and tank
Like it or not, you couldn’t ignore the Nissan Juke when it landed in showrooms in 2010. The deliberately bold looks gave the small crossover a real presence and, soon enough, plenty of drivers wanted some of this fun. What they got was the style of an SUV shrunk down to the footprint of a supermini; the Juke used the same basic platform as the contemporary Renault Clio.
Engines were also shared with Renault, so you could pick from a 1.6-litre petrol with 93bhp or 116bhp, or a 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel. From these early models, the diesel is one to have for a refined drive and decent fuel economy unless you want four-wheel drive, in which case it’s a petrol with the sluggish CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic gearbox.
In 2014, Nissan updated the Juke and fitted the much perkier 1.2-litre DIG-T turbo petrol with 114bhp. It’s the engine to aim for, unless you fancy the hot hatch-alike Nismo RS with its 197bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol, but do be careful as this version can be a bit of a handful. Nissan also offered the comical Juke-R to a handful of customers, which was based on the mighty GT-R supercar.
However, most buyers will pick between the entry-level Visia, which has six airbags as standard, the mid-point Acenta and top-spec Tekna with leather seats. There were also various special editions such as the Kuro, Ministry of Sound, Pulse and Style. An N-Connecta trim arrived in 2013 with satnav, reversing camera and DAB radio. Some Jukes will have the NissanConnect 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment, but it seems very dated compared to modern systems.
Whichever trim you opt for, the boot space of earlier Jukes is small at 251 litres. Facelifted cars from 2014 gained an extra 103 litres of luggage capacity, while folding the rear seats helps with larger loads. Rear passengers will also find space at a premium, though the front occupants are fine. The only demerit is the steering wheel, which doesn’t adjust for reach.
Nissan Juke mk1 Review
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