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:
Showing 41 through 50 of 155.00-
Love My Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke
By Don Bryan - July 8 - 10:00 amI love this car. I have a BMW Z4 that i am selling because the Juke is as much fun and has space for luggage to travel.
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nothing make - 2011 Nissan Juke
By mikgyver - July 3 - 1:30 amIve owned 5 Jeeps. I like the outdoors. But Ive also owned a Mustang GT covertible, Camaro and Celica GT convertible. I like sporty intentions. But most recently, I owned a Vibe for its thrifty gas mileage and unimaginable practicality. Some how, in a mash up of odds and angles and curves, all those vehicles were combined into one ... and it works! Slide behind the wheel, and it feels sporty. Suddenly, you start noticing the cues all over. Put it in motion, and it feels the perfect height. Rally cross comes to mind. Like you can carve up a twisty mountain road until the pavement ends, and not even slow down as you dig into a good two-track. And I dont have to feel gas-guilty.
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simply the best - 2011 Nissan Juke
By bolibol - June 27 - 9:26 ami first saw the juke online about 8 months before it came out. since then i fell in love with it. bought 3 days after its realese date. it was worth the wait. this winter new york had some really bad snow storms but my juke not only didnt get stuck anyware but performed almost as if it was a dry road. love. gas milege is perfect
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The JUKE is fun, sporty, great gas mileage! - 2012 Nissan Juke
By alidab - May 28 - 7:38 pmNever bought a Nissan in my life. Was at car lot with sister in law, as she wanted an Altima (WHY? I thought). Saw this COOL looking, froggy car with black leather (heated) seats with red baseball stitching...looks inside like an airplane with the RED hard doors/dash. Exterior is the gun metallic. The car is for single person or SMALL family ..dont plan on putting four peoples camping supplies in it for the week! THe back seat does go down, making it larger if no passengers in back. The gas mileage---one has to manually put it in "econo" mode...and drive it like Granny would. If you put it in sports mode and use the paddle shifter-like it was a manual trans, you get performance !
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Fun little utility car with great value - 2012 Nissan Juke
By ptmch - May 15 - 10:50 amTest drive one, and you will fall in love with its driving performance. With SL trim, its a great value. Regarding MPG, with one week of ownership, what I found out is the following. If the car is driven as a small turbo punchy nimble car meant to be driven, my commute (60% HWY, 40% Local) gives about 22~23 MPG. But if I drive like my mother is sitting next to me, I was able to get 33~34 MPG on the same route. Its all up to YOU the driver how you balance MPG and performance; much more so than other cars that I had driven before.
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Great Car - 2011 Nissan Juke
By pittsburghbob - May 6 - 2:59 amIve owned the car for about a month now and it continues to impress me. The combination of ease and fun make it great car for commuting. I really like the driving options (sport, normal, and eco) and the ability to change from front wheel drive to AWD if and when I want to. The acceleration and handling are amazing. Great car for the price.
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Awesome - 2012 Nissan Juke
By mixie1 - April 21 - 5:10 pmI dont know why all the negative comments about MPG. If you put a lot of miles on a vehicle, use ECO. This car is zippy enough without having the turbo on all the time. I am getting 28 mpg combined highway and city. Cant complain about that. I love everything about this car.
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Jukin - 2011 Nissan Juke
By tejaskinder - April 9 - 10:01 pmPurchased in October 2010. To date no issues with any mechanical systems. Rear window stopped working but self-healed. Average 25 mpgs almost all the time. Easy to park. Enough room for really only two adults in front and small ones in the back........Im 62" and have plenty of leg and head room, but would crush another adult behind me.....Not bad pricing for an AWD vechile with decent gas milage....
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Juke Box Rocks! - 2011 Nissan Juke
By franky83 - March 20 - 10:09 pmTraded in my Nissan Xterra for the Juke. I have a 100 mile daily commute and the Xterra was way too expensive to drive. Just happened to find the juke which meets the same needs I had with my Xterra, a vehicle to take skiing and load my kayaks on. My Juke Box has been great!! Im getting about 29 mph, its a lot more comfortable then my Xterra, and with the sport option its great when I need to pass in traffic. I love this little car, and all the looks I get when driving it!
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Wow - 2011 Nissan Juke
By travisjohnson - February 12 - 1:39 pmWe purchased this car on Saturday and havent been able to stop driving it. What a great, fun car to drive. The AWD is impressive, and the turbo just makes it fun to drive. Selling our MINI Cooper-S now... this vehicle has replaced it in many ways... Even the back seat is comfortable for me (61" tall)... so fitting kids back there when necessary is no problem.
