Nissan Juke Review
By Motor Match • 07/07/2023
In this blog, we'll dive into the details and take a closer look at what makes the Nissan Juke a worthy contender in the competitive SUV market.
What is it?
The Nissan Juke was the car that really helped to establish the compact SUV segment. Following on from the firm’s groundbreaking Qashqai, it showed that a small car could still have rugged styling yet be spacious as well.
It helped to carve out a segment that is now one of the most popular in the UK, and now faces a whole range of rivals. A second-generation Juke followed in 2019, and has recently been upgraded further to enhance its appeal. Let’s see what it’s like.
What’s new?
The Juke was introduced in 2019 and for a while was only available with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. But with more customers looking for electrified choices, it’s recently expanded the line-up with a new hybrid version, borrowing its powertrain from Renault.
Aiming to offer improved performance and reduced running costs, it’s also distinguishable by its redesigned grille and additional badging.
What’s under the bonnet?
As we’ve mentioned, there’s a choice of petrol and hybrid options on the Juke. Starting with the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is available with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.
With 112bhp on offer, it’s able to accelerate from 0-60mph in 10.5 seconds, while Nissan claims up to 48.7mpg.
Then there’s the hybrid, which uses a clever setup pairing a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery. You get 141bhp in all, contributing to a 0-60mph time of 9.9 seconds. Nissan also claims you could see up to an impressive 56.6mpg.
What’s it like to drive?
Nissan has engineered the hybrid model to feel as close to an EV as possible, and certainly around town, it’s able to spend a good amount of time running without the need for the engine. It’s nippy with eager performance as well.
It also rides well, regardless of which size alloy wheel you go for, while the hybrid system is able to quickly and seamlessly switch between petrol and electric power.
How does it look?
The Nissan Juke is a car you’ll either love or hate the look of, but regardless of your thoughts, it’s hard to dispute just how recognisable the design has become in such a short space of time.
This latest model is even more striking, with its intricate LED headlights and coupe-like roof profile. There’s plenty of scope for personalisation with plenty of colours and accessories on offer as well.
What’s it like inside?
The interior of the Juke largely feels well-finished, with higher-spec models adopting leather and Alcantara materials to help give it a more premium feel. There are a few harder and cheaper plastics but they’re largely hidden quite well.
This second-generation Juke brought with it a big improvement in interior space, and made it a lot more suitable for use as a small family car. It’s worth noting that the hybrid system does reduce the boot space from 422 litres in the regular car to 354 litres.
What’s the spec like?
There’s a good choice of Juke models depending on what you’re after, from more basic models to high-spec, premium versions.
Entry-level Visia models don’t get all that much equipment, missing out on alloy wheels and a touchscreen, though do feature LED headlights with high beam assist, cruise control and air conditioning.
The Acenta would be our pick of the line-up, as this brings 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a reversing camera. Up next, the N-Connecta gestures climate control, keyless entry and automatic wipers.
Tekna cars bring 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as a Bose sound system and heated front seats, while the top-spec Tekna+ is all about style, featuring a two-tone metallic paint and interior personalisation pack.
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