Nissan Juke review

The Nissan Juke. Built in Britain, this compact crossover demands attention wherever it goes, but what makes it tick?

Exterior

If we were to describe this car in one word, it would be ‘bold’. Its design quite simply refuses to conform to the rules of the road. Sitting high above the other cars, this car definitely makes a statement as the original compact crossover.

The Nissan Juke may have the look of a two-door sports car, but has the practicality of a five-door family SUV. The car has sleek muscular lines and a fiercely sculpted bonnet, which can then be personalised by using the Nissan Design Studio. Express your strong personality by making your car unique both inside and out through combining your favourite colours.

The boomerang-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights, the rally-inspired round headlights (for clear night-time driving and Nissan’s signature V shaped grille are just a few elements that make the Nissan Juke stand out from the crowd.

Interior

If you thought the outside seemed sporty, wait until you see the cabin! The sporting influences are obvious from the moment you open the door. The deeply bolstered bucket seats and the motorbike inspired circular gauges set the tone, but if you opt for the contrasting stitching option at the personalisation stage you’ll be perfectly suited for the track.

The heated seats and panoramic sunroof add a comfortable and relaxed feeling to the car, and the bountiful amount of available storage make it much more practical than some cars in its class. The centre console can be used as a storage area, and the 60:40 split folding rear seats are really helpful for squeezing in those bulkier items. When the seats are up, the 354 litre boot is extremely versatile thanks to a dual-level floor and a parcel shelf that’s attached to the rear screen so it lifts right out of the way when loading your car.

Nissan has filled this car to the brim with tech – both for safety and for entertainment. NissanConnect talks to your smartphone to give you the best in audio, navigation and communication. Assisted by the 5.8” anti-glare touch screen, you’ll be able to make calls via Bluetooth, get directions, stream your favourite music, browse social media, or even listen to that good old DAB Digital Radio.

On the Road

As we mentioned, the Nissan Juke is tech heavy, and when driving this car we found the security/safety features really helpful. Nissan offers a number of safety technologies with its Safety Shield function:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Moving Object Detection
• Blind Spot Warning
• Moving object detection
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The car itself is a great drive. It has three modes (sports, normal and eco) that you can select by using the Nissan Dynamic Control system – a clever dual-layer interface that gives you complete control of your vehicle and clears your dashboard of any unnecessary buttons or switches.

The combination of the perfectly distributed 4-wheel drive, the 4x4-i torque vectoring system and the well-engineered chassis, makes for a smooth ride that won’t be disrupted by bumpy roads and sharp corners.

The Nissan Juke is only available with Petrol engines; we’d suggest the DIG-T 190 for thrill seekers who are preoccupied with performance and speed, and the DIG-T 115 for those who prefer maximum economy while driving.

Our verdict

We really enjoyed reviewing this car – it was great to drive and all the gadgets were a big help! We especially liked the 360-degree view of the car that popped up on the screen – parking in tight spots is no trouble in the Nissan Juke! All of the gadgets are there to help you drive and enjoy the experience – you can adjust it to suit you so as well as personalising the paint job, you’re personalising your driving experience too!

With the depreciation rate on this car expected to be low, this car would be a great investment as it will remain popular right up until the point you want to sell it. Also, did we mention the Intelligent key? You won’t need to fumble around your bag for your keys anymore, your car will detect them (even at the bottom of your Mary-Poppins-style bag) and let you in. Then push the start button and you’re off! Couldn’t be simpler!

If you’re interested in the Nissan Juke, or would like more information on any of our new cars, get down to your local dealer today!