Thinking of getting a Nissan Juke?
Why buy the Nissan Juke?
The Nissan Juke is a hugely popular small SUV. There are two versions to choose from – the first-generation model that went on sale in 2010 and the second-generation model introduced in 2019. Both have distinctive looks and offer good value for money. There are lots of trim and engine choices and the Juke’s popularity means there are lots of used cars to choose from.
Nissan Juke range and updates
The Nissan Juke was introduced in 2010 and it remained on sale until 2019, when an all-new, second-generation model arrived.
There are a lot of trim levels to choose from if you’re considering a first-generation Nissan Juke for sale – no fewer than 16 different trims were available, but the three core ones are, in order, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna and are all well-equipped. There are high-performance models in the form of the Nismo and Nismo RS models and special editions like the Shiro and Bose Personal Edition models. The Nissan Juke was given a mild update in 2014 with redesigned lights, bumpers and alloy wheels.
Things are simpler with the post-2019 Juke, which has five trim levels – Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+. The further you go up the range, the more features you get as standard.
Nissan Juke tech and features
The 2010-2019 Nissan Juke is more than a decade old, so the tech within it feels dated by modern standards, even in models sold after the 2014 refresh. Most models have a small central touchscreen controlling the radio, Bluetooth and sat nav, and it’s slow to respond compared to more recent systems, but it’s easy to use and has shortcut buttons to quickly jump between features. Air con, cruise control and Bluetooth are included on all models, while higher trim levels add features like sat nav, a reversing camera and heated front seats.
The newer Nissan Juke for sale gives you much more modern features. While the Visia trim is fairly basic, it still has air con, cruise control, Bluetooth and a DAB radio, while from Acenta trim up you also get a reversing camera and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support through a touchscreen infotainment display.
Nissan Juke running costs and value
The original Juke gives you a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel. Two 1.6-litre petrol engines were joined by a more efficient 1.2-litre engine in 2014, which promises 47.1mpg, according to official figures. The diesel options should give you between 58mpg and 70mpg. Remember that automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive will reduce your fuel economy.
The newer Juke has a smaller choice of power – a 1.0-litre petrol engine that promises up to 48.7mpg, or a full-hybrid petrol model that should give you up to 56.5mpg. You’ll lose around 2mpg if you have an automatic gearbox rather than a manual.
Nissan Juke vs rivals
There are lots of other small SUVs like the Nissan Juke for sale, including the Ford Puma, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Volkswagen T-Cross. The Juke stands out for its distinctive design and the value it offers, although some rival cars are more practical and more fun to drive.
How practical is the Nissan Juke?
The Juke is a small car, but there’s a reasonable amount of space inside considering its size. The first-generation car is spacious up front, although the opening to the back seats is tight and any taller-than-average adults will be pushed for space. The space in the back is far greater in the newer Juke and you should be able to fit adults in without too much trouble.
The boot space is much bigger in the newer Juke, too, with 422 litres of room. This drops to 354 litres in hybrid models (the same as in most first-generation models), because the hybrid’s batteries are stored under the boot. However, four-wheel-drive first-gen cars have even less boot space at 207 litres.
How does the Nissan Juke compare with other Nissan models?
The Juke is the smallest SUV that Nissan makes, sitting beneath the Qashqai and X-Trail. There’s also an all-electric SUV called the Ariya, which is larger than the Juke, and an electric hatchback called the Leaf. Cars that aren’t made anymore, but are plentiful on the used market, include the Micra, the Note and the Pulsar hatchbacks as well as two sporty coupes – the 370Z and the GT-R.
How safe is the Nissan Juke?
The earlier Nissan Juke was tested by safety organisation Euro NCAP in 2011. It scored the maximum five-star rating, but the testing criteria are tougher now and that rating has expired. This means the earlier Juke is safe for a car of a similar age, but it won’t hold up in a crash as well as a more modern car and it lacks the latest advanced safety systems. The exception is the Tekna model, which has lane-departure warning and blindspot monitoring.
The latest Juke was tested in 2019 and also scored the maximum five stars. It features most of the latest advanced safety systems, including automatic emergency braking, road-sign recognition and a lane-departure warning system. Some models also have what Nissan calls its ProPILOT Assist Pack, a set of extra safety features including a 360-degree camera system, a driver-attention monitor, blindspot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert system and adaptive cruise control.
Are there any hybrid or electric versions of the Nissan Juke?
There are no full-electric Nissan Jukes, and no hybrid versions of the first-generation model. However, you can get a full-hybrid version of the second-generation model. A full-electric Juke is reportedly in the works at Nissan, but we’re not likely to see it until 2025 at the earliest.
