Nissan Juke
We’re nding out whether Nissan’s new and improved small SUV has the substance to match its style
I PASSED MY driving test more than 15 years ago, and looking back to that time, it feels like cars used to be rather more one-dimensional. If you wanted something city-friendly, you bought a small hatchback and accepted that it would make your ears bleed on the motorway. If you wanted an SUV, it would be a proper mud-plugger with four-wheel drive and high running costs.
By contrast, today the market is flooded with cars to suit every niche, many of which claim to satisfy more than a single desire. My Nissan Juke, for example, is part small car and part jacked-up SUV, so it combines compact dimensions with seating for five and a higher driving position. The question is, does this leave it feeling compromised or make it ideal urban family transport?
To help me find out, I’ve chosen a midrange N-connecta model that’s powered by a 115bhp 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, connected to a six-speed manual gearbox (although an automatic is optional). N Connecta trim includes all of the basic necessities and a lot more besides, including 17in alloy wheels, an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system and safety aids such as lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. That said, I’m already regretting sticking with the standard cloth seats; they aren’t the most comfortable on long drives and, to my eyes, do nothing for perceived interior quality.
Given that this is supposed to be an affordable small SUV, I thought I’d better be reasonably conscientious about adding options to my car. The Heat Pack (£295) seemed a no-brainer, because it brings heated front seats and a heated windscreen. I also think the Advanced Safety Shield Pack (£1000) is worth having, because it brings several useful driver aids, including lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and blindspot monitors. A key part of this long-term test will be seeing how unobtrusive these systems prove day to day; I’m sure I’m not alone in hating trigger-happy safety technology that screams at you prematurely.
Despite its lofty stance, the Juke handles rather well; there’s a decent amount of grip and it turns in nicely. Only the steering lets the side down, offering little in the way of feel, even when you select the Sport driving mode. However, overall the new Juke is still much more pleasant to drive than its predecessor
Then there’s the interior. Aside from the polished plastic casing beneath the electronic parking brake, which seems to have been carried over from the previous model as a styling cue, everything from the steering wheel to the air vents has been redesigned and restyled and now looks a million times better. Crucially, the ergonomics are vastly improved, too, with physical buttons on the wheel (rather than rocker-style switches) and a larger digital screen between the dials.
I’m happy enough with the infotainment system, too. Okay, it isn’t the quickest on the market, but the menus are clearly labelled and relatively easy to navigate. Thankfully, you get good old-fashioned shortcut buttons to get you easily from sat-nav to radio, for example, while keeping your eyes on the road.
While styling is subjective, I happen to think Nissan has done a great job with the design of the new model. It still looks unquestionably like a Juke, but without the awkward angles and bonnet lights of the original.
Like any buyer, however, I need to live with the Juke every day, and as such, it can’t afford to put style ahead of substance. The outgoing model suffered from a cramped interior, restricted rear visibility and an overly firm ride. Does this new model right those wrongs? I’m happy to say, things are looking good so far.
LOGBOOK
Nissan Juke 1.0 DIG-T 117 N-connecta
Mileage 2142
List price £21,035 Target Price £19,737
Price as tested £23,475
Options tted Paint Option (£1145), Advanced Safety Shield Pack (£1000), Heat Pack (£295)
Test economy 45.0mpg
Of cial economy 47.9mpg (combined)
82 August 2020