The compact crossover segment has become one of the busiest areas of the car market, with manufacturers clamouring to offer the perfect blend of style, practicality and efficiency. Two of the most distinctive contenders in this space are the Renault Captur and the Nissan Juke, both of which have carved out their own niches with bold styling and practical packaging. The second-generation Captur, launched in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, builds on the success of its predecessor with improved practicality and a cleaner design language, whilst the Nissan Juke, on sale since 2019, represents a significant evolution from the polarising original with a more refined approach.
Both cars target buyers who want something more interesting than a conventional hatchback but don't need the bulk or expense of a larger SUV. The Captur positions itself as a stylish and practical family choice with generous equipment levels and efficient powertrains, including a hybrid option. Meanwhile, the Juke maintains the visual drama that made the original so successful whilst addressing many of its predecessor's practical shortcomings. With similar pricing and positioning, choosing between these two options requires a careful consideration of their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Renault Captur vs Nissan Juke
Practicality
The Renault Captur takes a clear lead when it comes to boot space, offering 444 litres in petrol form - significantly more than the Juke's 420 litres. The Captur's advantage becomes even more pronounced thanks to its clever sliding rear bench, which can be moved forward to create up to 536 litres of luggage space when maximum cargo capacity is needed. With the rear seats folded down, the Captur offers an impressive 1,275 litres of storage. However, it's worth noting that the Captur's hybrid variant sees boot space reduced to just 362 litres, whilst the Juke's hybrid loses around 70 litres compared to the petrol version, bringing it down to approximately 350 litres.
Both cars comfortably accommodate four adults, with the Captur offering sufficient head and legroom for most passengers. The Juke has made significant improvements over its predecessor in terms of rear legroom, now providing very reasonable space, though headroom can be tight for passengers over six feet tall. The Juke's narrow cabin and small rear side windows can also make the back seats feel more claustrophobic than the Captur's airier interior. Both cars struggle to seat three adults across the rear bench comfortably, but the Captur's more spacious cabin gives it a slight edge here. The Captur's practical advantages, particularly the sliding rear bench and superior boot space in petrol form, make it the more practical choice for families focused on cargo capacity.
Driving Impressions
The engine lineups of both cars have evolved significantly since their respective launches. The current Captur offers two powertrains: a 1.0-litre TCe 90 petrol engine producing 90bhp with a six-speed manual gearbox, achieving 0-62mph in 14.2 seconds, and the more capable E-Tech Hybrid system. This hybrid setup combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery for a total output of 145bhp and a 0-62mph time of 10.6 seconds. The hybrid excels in urban driving, running frequently on electric power alone, though its automatic gearbox can occasionally hesitate when sudden acceleration is required.
The Juke's engine range centres around a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit producing 113bhp, available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox. The hybrid option, introduced in 2022, combines a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with electric motors to deliver just over 140bhp. The Juke's hybrid system includes the innovative e-Pedal function from Nissan's electric vehicles, allowing for one-pedal driving in many situations. However, maintaining electric-only mode requires very gentle throttle inputs, and the system can feel sluggish when more urgent acceleration is needed.
When it comes to the driving experience, both cars feel competent rather than exciting. The Captur provides a comfortable ride with good motorway refinement and reasonable handling, though it's not particularly engaging for keen drivers. The Juke has a slightly firmer, more connected feel with well-weighted steering and decent feedback, but can feel jittery on poor surfaces at low speeds. Both cars exhibit some body roll in corners but remain safe and predictable. The Captur just about has the edge for overall refinement and comfort, whilst the Juke offers marginally more driver engagement.
Technology and Equipment
The 2024 facelift has given the Captur a significant advantage in infotainment technology. Mid-range Techno trim and above now feature an excellent 10.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen powered by Google's automotive platform. This system offers intuitive menu layouts, reliable app functionality including Google Maps, and excellent voice recognition. The presence of physical climate control buttons is also a useful touch. In addition the Captur includes a 10.25-inch digital driver display, though this can suffer from some lag when switching between modes. Standard equipment is generous across the range, with entry-level Evolution including climate control, keyless entry, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Juke received its own technology update in 2024, with the central touchscreen growing from 8.0 inches to 12.3 inches across most of the range. Higher trim levels also benefit from a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster replacing the previous 7.0-inch display. The new system looks impressive with sharp graphics and smooth animations, but can be more complex to navigate than the Captur's Google-based setup, with some ambiguous on-screen icons causing confusion. The entry-level Acenta Premium retains analogue dials and misses out on features like wireless phone charging and Amazon Alexa integration that higher trims receive.
Both cars offer comprehensive smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the Captur's Google-based system provides a more seamless experience overall. The Juke's equipment levels are generous, with even basic trims including LED headlights, alloy wheels, and DAB radio. However, some interior materials in both cars can feel slightly cheap, with the Captur's floating centre console and the Juke's hard plastics in certain areas betraying their affordable positioning. The Captur's superior infotainment system gives it a slight edge in this category, though both cars offer good value for money in terms of standard equipment.
Running Costs
Running costs for both models are typical for the compact crossover segment. The Captur's entry-level TCe 90 petrol engine achieves a claimed 47mpg on the WLTP cycle, whilst the E-Tech Hybrid delivers an impressive claimed 60mpg - a figure that's achievable in real-world driving, particularly in urban conditions. The discontinued plug-in hybrid variant offered an electric-only range of up to 30 miles, making it potentially very economical for buyers who could charge regularly at home.
The Juke's 1.0-litre petrol engine returns official figures of around 48mpg with the manual gearbox or 47mpg with the automatic - very similar to the Captur's petrol offering. The Juke's hybrid system achieves a claimed 59mpg, marginally behind the Captur's hybrid but still impressive. In real-world conditions, petrol versions of both cars typically achieve figures in the low 40s, whilst the hybrid variants can deliver around 50mpg or slightly better in urban driving.
Insurance costs and residual values are broadly comparable between the two models, with both offering good protection for buyers' initial investment. The Captur benefits from Renault's historically keen pricing strategy, which has helped establish it as one of the most popular choices in its class. Service intervals have been extended on later Juke models from 12,500 to 18,000 miles, potentially reducing maintenance costs. Both cars represent solid value propositions, though the Captur's slightly superior hybrid efficiency and competitive pricing give it a marginal advantage in overall running costs.
Verdict
Choosing between the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke largely depends on your priorities and personal preferences. The Captur emerges as the more practical choice, offering superior boot space (444 litres vs 420 litres), the clever sliding rear bench, and a more spacious interior overall. Its Google-powered infotainment system is notably more user-friendly than the Juke's setup, and the hybrid variant delivers slightly better fuel economy. The Captur also benefits from competitive pricing and generous standard equipment levels, making it an excellent choice for families prioritising practicality and value.
The Juke counters with more distinctive styling that's sure to turn heads, a slightly more engaging driving experience, and a premium-feeling interior with improved materials following the 2024 update. Its hybrid system includes innovative features like the e-Pedal function, and the car generally feels more upmarket in its cabin execution. However, the Juke's smaller boot, more cramped rear seats, and less intuitive infotainment system may deter some buyers. Both cars are solid choices, but the Captur's superior practicality and user-friendly technology give it a slight overall advantage for most buyers.