Nissan Juke Test Drive: Pros and Cons of the Urban Crossover. Discover what makes this compact SUV stand out and where it may fall short.

The second generation Nissan Juke has received an update. However, the key changes are not immediately visible from the outside – to discover them, one must look inside the car, or better yet, take it for a spin in various modes. The editorial team of RBC-Ukraine Auto shares their impressions of the vehicle after a week-long test.

Searching for Key Changes Inside and Out

The second generation Nissan Juke made its debut five years ago, and it has undergone a scheduled update in 2024. However, Nissan approached the refresh process in an unconventional manner. The crossover's exterior has remained largely unchanged. The only notable alteration has been the redesign of the wheels, and a bright yellow color, reminiscent of the first generation model, has been added to the body color palette. Our test vehicle is painted in this hue.

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In total, the Nissan Juke is available in a vibrant range of 11 body colors and 13 two-tone combinations. It is these bright colors that the management and designers of the Japanese automaker hope will attract potential buyers. We won't evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy – our focus is on a different topic – but the car certainly draws attention from fellow drivers, especially the owners of the first generation Juke, who are quite numerous on Ukrainian roads.

Additionally, with the facelift, a new N-Sport trim has been added to the lineup, featuring expanded black exterior trim and yellow accents inside. However, the major changes are hidden within the car.

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How Are Things Inside?

The dashboard has been significantly redesigned. The main update is a 12.3-inch widescreen display for the media system, which has been angled back towards the driver by eight degrees. This key device features new graphics and improved voice control. The infotainment system's logic and graphics mirror those of the higher-end Nissan Qashqai.

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The rearview camera (which is standard) has seen its resolution increase from 0.3 to 1.3 megapixels. Sometimes, during quick maneuvers, the dynamic trajectory display from the camera doesn’t quite keep up with the steering wheel movements. However, if you take your time, everything operates smoothly.

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Unfortunately for traditional motorists and fortunately for the younger audience that our test vehicle primarily targets, analog instruments are a thing of the past: the Juke now features a 12.3-inch display and two graphical display options.

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The climate control unit has also seen some changes, with certain buttons being repositioned, but it still retains its classic, physical layout. This means you won’t have to search through a "thicket" to find the seat or windshield heater. Interestingly, the steering wheel heater has been placed quite far from the other "warm" options – it is hidden to the left of the steering wheel.

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Additionally, there are new USB ports both in the front and rear, the central armrest has been enlarged, and the glove compartment's volume has been increased to 7.8 liters. The electromechanical handbrake has also been removed from the equipment list. The interior materials and decorative solutions have also been revised. The yellow accents on the dashboard are especially pleasing, although there are some concerns about the practicality of this choice.

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What's Hidden Under the Hood?

The technical specifications remain unchanged. Since the second generation Juke is produced only in England and is primarily sold in Europe, its engine options are tailored to the local market. Our test vehicle is powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 117 hp, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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It is worth noting that in some markets, an alternative is the Juke Hybrid, which features a Renault powertrain that includes a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine (94 hp) with a starter-generator, as well as a 49 hp electric motor. The combined output of the system is 143 hp.

The current Juke is built on the compact modular CMF-B platform, which it shares with the Renault Captur and Mitsubishi ASX. The suspension architecture of the Japanese compact crossover is quite typical for this class. At the front, it still uses MacPherson struts, while at the rear, there is a semi-independent beam. The design of the latter does not allow for the installation of a bulky differential, which is why the current generation Juke does not offer all-wheel drive.

Evaluating Dynamics and Fuel Consumption

From the very first moments behind the wheel, it is clear that the 1.0-liter engine loves to rev. The small size of the body, the lightweight construction, and the moderately sharp steering provide a pleasant driving experience, especially in sport mode. The car features three driving modes – sport, standard, and eco. The first two are very similar in character, while "Eco" truly calms the vehicle down.

The suspension of the new Nissan Juke is firm, especially when paired with 19-inch wheels on thin tires. However, you quickly adapt to it, and the car allows for precise navigation over imperfections in the asphalt.

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The engine easily revs from 2,000-2,500 to 4,000-4,500 RPM during each brisk acceleration, but often the tachometer needle reaches up to 5,500-6,000 RPM.

Interestingly, during acceleration, the transmission allows the engine to rev up to high RPMs before shifting to a higher gear, and then, after a couple of seconds of calm driving at a set speed, the transmission engages another gear and lowers the RPMs. This is not something you often find in modern automatics, which tend to shift to the highest gear as quickly as possible. As for the smoothness of gear changes, it is excellent: you can only detect the shift by the needle's movements on the tachometer, with no jolts during the transitions.

Regarding fuel consumption, the Nissan Juke is not very consistent. In the city, it typically achieves around 8-8.5 liters per 100 km, but if you drive more aggressively, this figure can rise "above 9 liters". However, on the highway, driving the crossover is a pleasure – with the cruise control set at 120 km/h, it easily maintains 6-6.2 liters per "hundred". Overall, after more than 1,000 km of driving, the average consumption was 7 liters.

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The Price Tag

The Juke comes in five different trim levels in our market, each well-segmented by equipment level. For instance, the base N-Conecta (starting at 1,072,780 UAH) and all its "higher" versions will only be offered with the "robot" transmission. The equipment list includes keyless entry, a wireless charger, and comfortable seats adorned with eco-leather.

The next version, Tekna, starts at 1,121,640 UAH: for this price, the manufacturer adds a panoramic viewing system, designer seats upholstered in eco-leather, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a road sign recognition feature. The top modifications of the updated Nissan Juke come in two variants, each priced at 1,204,670 UAH.

The N-Design version will feature special 19-inch alloy wheels, an interior with black eco-leather and gray decorative trim, and a Bose Personal Plus audio system with speakers in the headrests. The alternative N-Sport will essentially have the same equipment list, but the wheels will be entirely black, as will the color accents in its interior.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of the Nissan Juke

Advantages of the crossover include:

• Fuel-efficient engine.
• Stylish design.
• Optimal balance of touch and physical controls.
• A wide range of "warm" options.
• Inclusion of a spare tire in the package.

Among the disadvantages of the vehicle are:

• Limited choice of powertrains.
• Restricted visibility due to the high hood.
• Crowded rear seat for taller passengers.
• Absence of a curtain in the trunk shelf.
• Lack of electric adjustments for the driver's seat and front passenger seat.