Nissan Juke | Test Drive

Words Tommaso Mogge / Photos Andy Williams

The second generation Juke dates back to 2019 and it still feels remarkably fresh. The recent facelift makes small but meaningful updates, without disrupting the look of the fun Japanese crossover — one of the most recognizable models in the otherwise dull city traffic. Especially when we’re talking about a version like the one we tested: the top-spec N-Sport trim in Tekna configuration, finished in a striking canary yellow, accentuated by black details on the roof and wheels.

“Wow” — not the kind of reaction you’d expect when talking about a segment mainly designed for everyday practicality and for buyers who value function over fun. The Juke remains practical, both in the city and beyond, keeping its compact 4.2 meters in length and almost 1.6 meters in height. Inside, there’s room for five passenger and even those in the back are quite comfy, provided the person in the middle seat isn’t an NBA player. It features LED daytime running lights and offers a choice between a small 1.0-liter engine or the Full Hybrid version, which combines an electric motor with a four-cylinder petrol engine for a total output of 143 horsepower, 49 of which come from the zero-emission unit. In this setup, the electric counterpart once again plays a major role, allowing up to 55 km of EV-only driving on a full battery and cleverly using regenerative braking , for instance, through the E-Pedal mode, which increases regeneration when you lift off the throttle.

This doesn’t make it a true one-pedal drive as we know it, but after many kilometers, an average fuel consumption of 5.5 liters per 100 km shows that the Juke 1.6 HEV is among the most fuel-efficient hybrids currently on the market. Stepping outside again, the compact Nissan confirms itself as a car that has fully matured, cheerful but without overdoing it. In short, it really suits just about any potential buyer. Opening the door, we notice that the round air vents now remain only at the edges of the dashboard, since the center is occupied by a new 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Below we have two rectangular vents and a few physical controls, wisely kept for the climate system.

The cabin is ergonomic and well-finished, with extensive use of soft eco-leather even on some trim panels, such as the center tunnel. There are, of course, a few unavoidable hard plastics, but they’re well-hidden in the lower areas, along with a few faux-carbon details that don’t detract from the overall appearance or build precision. The instrument cluster is also fully digital and the same size as the central display (12.3 inches), with clear, easy-to-read graphics. A pity that the ADAS must be deactivated every time you start the car and only via the steering wheel buttons, which isn’t the quickest solution and could definitely be made more intuitive.

The Juke features front-wheel drive only and a 4-speed automatic gearbox, which adapts its behavior depending on the selected driving mode, one of the three available through the D-Mode switch, located right behind the gear lever. In any case, it’s worth remembering that while the Juke is lively enough not to struggle during overtakes, it’s a car designed with efficiency in mind, something made clear by the hybrid system’s preference for electric drive. This, together with the fact that the four-cylinder engine can sound rather intrusive, especially when cold, doesn’t ruin the driving experience though you might find yourself wishing for a pair of paddles to change gears manually, which unfortunately aren’t available.

The seats are extremely comfortable and, in our test car, even feature Bose audio speakers literally embedded into the headrests. Getting comfortable in the Juke takes no time at all, you just click in and instantly feel in sync with a car that could accompany you for thousands of kilometers without a hint of hesitation. Out on open roads, you appreciate its light weight — around 1,400 kg — and the suspension setup, which includes MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. All in all, it’s still the excellent car we’ve come to know, but now further improved in terms of interior space and comfort. The 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol version starts at around €25,000, while the 1.6 Full Hybrid requires at least €31,000. In my opinion, both are excellent choices, offering buyers the flexibility to pick the version that best suits their needs, especially considering the overall price.