Overview & Reviews

Small hatchbacks and crossover SUVs typically prioritize mundane things like practicality and fuel economy. But these days, there are choices on hand to satisfy car shoppers with more whimsical leanings. One of the more dramatic examples of this is the Nissan Juke.

This four-door cross between a hatchback and small crossover SUV comes with no shortage of personality. It all starts with the Juke's polarizing styling. Some find it sporty-looking and distinctive, while others have compared it to a horned lizard. We'll leave it to you to form your own opinions. But with endearing attributes such as brisk performance and sharp handling, you may find yourself falling for this funky ride.

Current Nissan Juke
The Nissan Juke is similar in size to some of Nissan's other small cars such as the Cube and Versa. But its taller profile and available all-wheel drive can also make it seem similar to some small crossover SUVs.

Under the skin, the Nissan Juke packs a few surprises. A small 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, but thanks to turbocharging, it cranks out a strong 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The Juke Nismo is equipped with the same engine, but here it has been tuned to produce 197 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). With the optional all-wheel-drive system, the CVT comes standard.

There are four trim levels for the Juke: base S, well-equipped SV and SL, and the sport-themed Nismo. Standard equipment on the entry-level S model includes 17-inch wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system. The midrange SV adds a sunroof, keyless entry/ignition, automatic climate control and configurable drive settings (the Juke's "I-Con" feature).

The Juke Nismo is slightly more powerful and also has a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels with summer tires, unique exterior and interior styling details, and front sport seats. A Navigation package with a touchscreen interface, a rearview camera and a Rockford Fosgate sound system is optional for the SV and Nismo. The SL reverts back to the SV's equipment but comes standard with the options listed above, plus leather upholstery and heated front seats.

In reviews, we've found that the Nissan Juke is very fun to drive. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is energetic and is capable of brisk acceleration. With the available I-Con driving settings, the driver can also vary the engine and CVT's responsiveness greatly. Get the Juke on a serpentine stretch of road and it's in its element, happily shooting from corner to corner thanks to its sporty suspension tuning and big (for a car this size) tires.

On the downside, the Juke does give away some practicality in its quest for style and performance. On rougher pavement, the Juke feels a little stiff-legged compared to its family-oriented rivals. The cabin also fills with a fair amount of wind and road noise on the highway, though most buyers should find it tolerable enough.

There's also a cargo-capacity deficit to deal with, since the Juke has much less room behind the second row than most other small crossovers or wagons you might consider. Additionally, its sloping roof line translates into tight headroom for backseat passengers and poor outward visibility.

Ultimately, though, young drivers (or the young at heart) who are less concerned with practicality than having fun should find a lot to like in the Nissan Juke.

Used Nissan Juke Models
The Nissan Juke debuted for the 2011 model year. The Nismo arrived for 2013, as did a revised Navigation package that added a rearview camera and Rockford Fosgate audio.

User Reviews:

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  My favorite car ever! - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By prideinlife - June 11 - 5:25 pm

  Ive had my 2011 Juke SL for a little while now and its without a doubt my favorite car Ive ever owned! I cant agree with all of the reviews saying the gas mileage is bad; I drive city and highway and my average is about 27 MPG. Thats pretty good considering I use regular unleaded, like to hit the gas and zoom and dont drive to intentionally raise my MPG. This car is pure fun to drive! Zippy, comfortable on the inside (even with a bulky toddler seat in the back), loaded with features (mine came with the color changing lights inside) and super attractive. I have people stop me and ask me about it all of the time. :) Dont think Ill be trading this one in any time soon!

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  Love It! - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By jyamser - June 7 - 4:07 am

  The CV Transmission is a pure delight. Edmunds reviews mentioned that there was resistance to it. Resistance to acceleration when stepping on the gas? You NEED to hear the transmission going through gears? This is probably the cheapest and best car I have owned. VERY satisfied.

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  Great Overall Car! - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By ienjoywaffles - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I was first attracted to this car when I found out it was 4 cylinder awd turbo, because me being a 24 year old thats what I was looking for in a new car. I decided to test drive one and It was love at first drive. The car drives smooth and you can completely change the settings of how you want to drive. ie, different modes that change the power of the car. Also the fact that you can change from fwd to awd. The sound system is great and the push-start engine just adds on to all of the other features that I love about it.

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  2013 Juke full of sludge/metal in oil pan - 2013 Nissan Juke
  By Lisa Darrow - April 26 - 8:30 pm

  Took 2013 Juke, purchased new, with 42,000 miles to Courtesy Nissan in Richardson, TX in September 2015 because the engine light came on and experienced diminished performance. The dealership examined the car and reported the oil pan was full of sludge and metal. Upon initial findings the dealership claimed the factory warranty and extended warranty were in effect. Later the dealership wanted a signed statement that I would cover costs of the engine tear down ($3,000 ) if further examination determined that a factory defect not was the cause of the sludge build up. I would then need to replace the engine at a cost of $12,000 plus. The dealership did not report of an sludge or metal when I had the oil changed 5 months earlier. The car has been maintained with regular oil changes. No sensor alerted me of a low oil condition until the engine light came on in September. It is disappointing that a 2 year old car with only 42,000 miles doesnt live up to the Nissan reputation. Thought I was purchasing a quality car.

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  Fun Little Frog - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By justin2point1 - April 24 - 12:35 pm

  I love this thing!! Not a day goes by that I dont smile every time I get in. To all those who have poor MPG, maybe its the manual v CVT, but I drive mine like a like the crazy 25 year old I am, and I average 27 to 29 MPG, although I have always put supreme gas in it. The only down side is the back seat is small. I almost always keep the seats down, and it makes some people car sick to sit in the back. The standard features are awesome, Im a little spoiled on the leather wrapped steering wheel and the iPod controls on the wheel. A little bit more storage places would be nice, but overall, for what I paid for, I feel like I got the way better end of the deal.

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  Fun car - 2012 Nissan Juke
  By shoreman2 - April 12 - 8:34 pm

  This is a fun car to drive. You can put it in Econ mode to max mpg and at the push of button put it in Sport and blow the doors off! I find that I dont need the back-up camera most of the time as it has such a short rear. Fit and finish was very nice. Trouble with the voice recognition responding to my voice. It seems to work okay with my fiances (female) voice, but mine it never gets the right name on my phone list. Need to go see the dealer about that. All else is wonderful.

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  My new Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By bbubba20 - February 27 - 10:00 am

  Just bought it and fell in love with it right away! I was looking for a used car, I just want to test drive it to see how it was and bought it same day! Fun fun fun is all I can say.

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  UNRELIABLE AT 48,100 MILES - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By amrp - February 3 - 2:45 pm

  I got my 2011 Juke last February 2011 and I was so proud of it until July 11, 2013 at 48,100 miles, it just broke down. I had it towed to a Nissan Service Center and they changed the "TUBE - ASMY INLET" plus a gasket valve in and a seal-o ring. I am not a mechanic so I dont know how this all work. Anyway, if you are a potential buyer, just be ready to start paying for maintenance at 48,100 miles. I am not sure what and when the next problem will come up now.

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  Love/hate relationship developing - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By jasfan - December 19 - 2:07 am

  There is a lot about this car I really like. Styling. Fun to drive. And they REALLY missed the mark in a couple of key areas. The fuel economy is killing me. I am a 70-mph highway driver, and at 4,000-plus miles this vehicle gets 20-22 mpg. My Audi A5 got 29-30 mpg in the same driving conditions, and my 2006 Cadillac Escalade, with 118,000 miles got 17-18 mpg. This single issue may cause me to sell this car by spring if it does not improve. I am an EASY driver. Tires and brakes normally last 60k - 70k miles with me. Slow stops and starts. And I drive 3,000-plus miles per month. So with an EPA rating of 25/30, this disappointment is major. And on premium fuel.

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  Just got my Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By Todd Stevens - December 4 - 10:00 am

  All I can say is wow! I initially ignored this car based on exterior looks. Then my wife bought a Rogue while I was considering a Honda CR-Z. I needed a good mileage car for city driving. I really wasnt expecting much. but when you drive this thing, hang onto the steering wheel, because its got serious jump from a dead start. also while cruising on the highway at 60 mph you can jump up to 80 quickly and blow away anyone. Take a test drive and you will not be disappointed. For the interior the premium cloth seats are very comfy for my bad back (why I ditched my leather seats on last vehicle). Buttons and controls are in convenient locations. Drives like my old 350Z with a tad less power.