For over a decade now the Juke from Nissan has been at the forefront of the compact SUV market and now equipped with hybrid technology that is sure to help keep its place at the top of this segment.
Now in its second generation, or ‘Next Generation’ as Nissan prefer to call it, the Juke has sharpened its act both inside and out. Retaining enough characteristics from the previous model, this new car is still unmistakably Juke.
Having worked-off some of its puppy fat, this baby Nissan is now sharp and stylish. Its interior may be restyled too, but it’s still a little cheaper feeling than rivals.
Having always appealed to a vast array of owners, this next generation model is sure to keep new drivers safe on our road thanks to a wheel in each corner, whilst those of an age to understand common ailments, will be at ease thanks to easy entry and exiting of the cabin.
Priced from £20,985 there is a total of five trim levels available, upon which an abundance of paint options is available, many of which offer a stunning two-tone variant. On the top three trim levels, hybrid technology becomes available, and it is these models I will talk about in this article.
The full Juke range comes well equipped, the two entry level petrol models equipped with more safety and technology than you would expect.
The hybrid range start with an ‘N-Connecta’ which is priced from £28,2100 and features 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, keyless entry with start button, electric handbrake with auto-hold function, leather steering wheel and gear knob, 7-inch full colour TFT screen combimeter, and NissanConnect navigation with TomTom traffic.
A well packed ‘Tekna’ starts from £29,710 and add 19-inch alloy wheels, Bose Personal Plus audio system, interior ambient lighting, heated front seats with ThermaClear heated windscreen, 360-degree camera system, intelligent driver alertness, blind spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent cruise control, lane keep assist, and moving object detection.
Finally, the car tested. A top of the range ‘Tekna+’ priced from £31,110 which adds a different style of 19-inch alloy wheel, two-tone metallic paint, satin silver front bumper trim, a choice of three exterior trim colour options, and a choice of three interior options.
With an ample number of trims to suit every owner’s needs, Nissan keep it simple when it comes to their choice of hybrid powertrain, with a single offering powering only the front wheels. The 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 94hp and 148Nm of torque, while the electric motor generates 49hp and 205Nm.
Combined, the Nissan Juke is far from sluggish, seeing a traffic light dash to 62mph and a respectable 10.1 seconds. Power is transferred to the wheels via an automatic transmission. A top speed of 103mph can be expected, with a combined fuel economy estimated at 56.5mpg. In the real world I saw just over 40mpg, which was quite disappointing.
Despite its tall stance, the Juke is surprisingly agile. I would go as far as saying it is one of the best in this class of car, though the 19-inch wheels and low-profile tyres fitted to the car tested, does sacrifice some comfort.
The boot offers more space than before and is more than capable of holding a couple of weekend bags or a large gym bag. Rear seating is still best suited for children on a long journey, though unlike the previous model is now more than capable of accommodating two adults.
Plenty of head and legroom is available in the front of the cabin, even shoulder space between driver and passenger is better than expected. The Bose audio system is an absolute must if you can stretch to it, and I don’t recall complaining about the automatic gearbox too much, so it must have returned a decent driving experience.
The Nissan Juke comes with a 3-year, 60,000-mile warranty with servicing recommended annually or every 12,500 miles.
Words and Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
