Nissan Juke review

Driving position

As you’d expect, the Nissan Juke has a higher driving position than conventional hatchbacks which means you can see more of the road ahead – perfect for judging potholes and speed bumps.

But what you might not expect is how much height adjustment is in the driver’s seat. Besides that high-up seating position, it also goes really, really low. Ideal for a sportier feel, or just for accommodating taller drivers .

On the whole, it edges more on a lower, sportier vibe than a taller SUV, so if you’re looking for a commanding presence, maybe consider something like a Škoda Kamiq or Volkswagen T-Cross.

Extra strengthening in the A-pillars (between the windscreen and the front doors) means they’re now thinner than the first-gen Juke, so outward visibility is improved.

Tech and features

Nissan Juke trims

– Acenta Premium

– N-Connecta

– Tekna

– Tekna+

– N-Sport

Gone are the days of basic radios on entry-level models, because all come with a touchscreen infotainment system (either eight or 12.3-inches, depending on the trim and model year) and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

All cars also come with cruise control, a reversing camera and other essentials, but Nissan’s fairly comprehensive list of trim levels and option packs means some desired features might not be covered on all models.

For example, entry-level Acenta Premium models only get automatic climate control, automatic wipers and heated front seats with the Comfort Pack add-on.

N-Connecta adds those, plus keyless entry and all-round parking sensors, so it just about covers all bases, but you’ll need the Heat Pack to add heating for the front seats, steering wheel and windscreen.

In our view, Tekna represents the best value, with all of these included as well as a BOSE sound system and faux leather upholstery.

Top-spec Tekna+ and N-Sport models feel more complete if you’re used to higher-end features.

Engines and power

Nissan Juke performance stats

– Power: 114hp or 143hp

– 0-62mph: 10.1-11.8 seconds

– Top speed: 103-112 mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive

Picking your engine is easy – it’s either a 114hp 1.0-litre petrol or a 143hp 1.6-litre self-charging hybrid.

The petrol comes with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The hybrid uses two gears for the electric motor and four for the petrol engine. Generally, the power is there when you prod the accelerator, so it works well, but sometimes the engine seems to idle highly when it’s topping up the battery under light throttle around town.

Lower speeds are taken care of with the e-motor, so it’s always brisk off the line.

The hybrid is the quickest to 62mph, at 10.1 seconds, which isn’t quick by today’s electrified standards. The petrol is slower, and the automatic gearbox makes it slower still.

Handling and ride comfort

Starting off with the positives, the Juke stands out for its light steering and easy manoeuvrability. It’s easy to make tight turns, including reversing into a parking space in a tight car park.

In our experience around town, the Juke feels pretty firm. Uneven road surfaces and potholes reverberate through the cabin, so if you live in an area with poor tarmac, you might want to favour something more comfortable like the Citroën C3 Aircross.

At least it has Nissan’s e-Pedal, which you can activate via a button down near the gear selector. It’s a regenerative braking system that slows the hybrid model down (not to a complete stop, though), converting wasted energy back into battery power.

It’s a shame that you have to toggle this on at the start of every drive, because the Juke doesn’t remember its status from the last drive.

Boot space

Nissan Juke boot space

– Boot space: 354-422 litres

– Inc. Rear seats folded: 1,237-1,305 litres

Practicality is a pretty strong point of the Juke’s, because boot space is up 20% compared with the previous generation. It now stands at 422 litres, which is considerably more than you’d get in a compact hatchback.

Hybrid models lose some space to the batteries, so the boot size is on par with first-generation models at 354 litres.

We tested the hybrid model with the smaller boot, and it felt plenty big enough. There’s also a false floor that serves two purposes – creating a flat floor to slide in heavy items, and providing extra space underneath.

Rear seats

From a technical point of view, the wheelbase (distance between front and rear wheels) is 105mm longer, and the body is 35mm wider.

This extra size has translated to big improvements inside, including 58mm more knee room than the first generation and 11mm more rear headroom. Where the older model could feel slightly cramped in the back, it’s easier to fit adults in the back of the second-generation Juke.

All models have rear doors, but the rear handles are hidden in the C-pillar to give them a hidden look.

Storage solutions

Storage in the Juke is fine, but we think it could be better. For example, seatback pockets are only on higher trims, and the cubby under the front armrest is also pretty small.

However, credit where credit’s due, the glovebox offers a very deep space and the door bins are large enough, too.

Nissan Juke dimensions:

– Height: 1,593mm

– Width: 1,983mm

– Length: 4,210mm

– Gross weight: 1,700-1,810kg

Safety

All models come with lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking and automatic high beams.

Strong standard safety equipment resulted in the Juke getting a full five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2019, just after it launched.

We would recommend adding the optional ProPILOT Assist Pack, though, which adds more active driver aids like adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane-keep assist and a 360-degree parking camera.

This equipment is standard on Tekna, Tekna+ and N-Sport models, so if you needed an excuse to splash out on a top-spec model, here it is.

Fuel economy

Nissan claims the hybrid model can reach 60.1mpg on lower trim levels with smaller (more efficient) wheels, but this might be a stretch (as is the case with official test figures quoted by any manufacturer).

Still, in our testing we were able to exceed 65mpg on some drives. Other drives where the engine was needed more saw fuel economy dig to 40mpg. Expect an average of up to 50mpg throughout your ownership.

Expect upwards of 40mpg from the 1.0-litre petrol, whichever gearbox you go for.

Reliability

Nissan generally has a good reliability reputation, and owner reports back this up.

In the case of the Juke, engines come from Nissan’s alliance with Renault, so the 1.6-litre hybrid is the same on you get in Renault E-Tech models.

You get the industry-standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty on the Juke, which carries over to used buyers.