The Nissan Juke singlehandedly invented the marketplace for small crossover SUVs when it was introduced in 2010. Now, almost a decade on, Nissan has released an all-new second generation version.
With challengers from every major rival, Nissan knows it won’t have things quite so easy this time round. So the new Juke is packed full of technology to give it the best possible chance of success.
Built in Sunderland, the new Juke is on sale now from £17,395. Deliveries begin from the end of November 2019.
All-new landmark
Visually, it’s derived from the original landmark model. But it has grown up, gaining in length width and height. Now over 4.2 metres long, the benefits are found inside, with a vast 5.8cm more rear kneeroom, and 1.1cm more headroom.
The boot, a glaring weakness of the original, is 20 percent larger, with a total capacity of 422 litres. That’s bigger than a Volkswagen Golf.
The curves of the original Juke have been given an edge, and it now appears a sharper, less cutesy design. It has a more planted stance and much more aggressive front end.
Ultra-slim headlights are distinctive and the high-mounted driving lamps of the first Juke have been turned into LED running lights seemingly modelled on a fidget spinner. Every model, even the base car, gets full LED lights as standard.
Much-improved interior
Inside, the plasticky dashboard has become more premium-looking, with a high-mounted touchscreen and greater use of soft-touch trims. The motorcycle-style centre console has been toned down, but we can’t imagine Juke owners minding too much now the novelty has worn off.
The extra space, comfort, technology and refinement will all be a pronounced step on over the nine-year-old current model.
That all-new NissanConnect 8.0-inch touchscreen has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, TomTom Maps and onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. This is fitted to every model above the base Visia.
There’s a remote app so owners can check how much fuel is in their tank from their smartphone, and whether their new Juke is locked or not.
It’s even compatible with Google Assistant. Nissan says owners can talk to their smart device and control lights and central locking, and send navigation destinations via voice control.
Tech fans will also like the Bose Personal Plus optional sound system. This has eight speakers – including two ‘UltraNearfield’ units built into the front head restraints, for “immersive music in ultra-clear definition’.
All-new underneath
The new Juke is built on an all-new platform that’s stiffer and safer than before. Despite being much larger, it’s actually 23kg lighter. At launch, just a single 1.0-litre three-cylinder DiG-T turbo petrol engine will be offered. This produces 117hp and is paired with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT automatic.
0-62mph takes 10.4 seconds and it will do 112mph flat-out. Nissan doesn’t yet know how economical it is, nor what the final homologated CO2 figures will be.
16-inch steel wheels will be fitted to the base Visia model; Acenta and N-Connecta will get 17-inch alloys, with Tekna and Tekna+ featuring 19-inch alloys – among the largest in the small SUV sector.
Nissan ProPilot tech (and the ‘blue button’ on the steering wheel) offers auto-assist steering, acceleration and braking, to make driving less stressful in single-lane highway driving.
This will be the first small SUV to offer blind spot intervention: if the driver attempts to change lane with a car in their blind spot, the new Juke will steer away from danger.
Nissan has sold almost one million Jukes since its introduction in 2010. “The new design and exciting driving experience will appeal to the growing number of customers opting for compact crossovers,” said Nissan Europe product planning boss Ponz Pandikuthira.
“The Juke has grown up, while still retaining the fun-to-drive qualities that have always made it stand out.”
2020 Nissan Juke prices
DiG-T 117 petrol engine
- Visia: £17,395
- Acenta: £18,995
- N-Connecta: £20,995
- Tekna: £22,495
- Tekna+: £23,895
- Premiere Edition: £23,995
(DCT auto: + £1,400 on all grades apart from Visia)
2020 Nissan Juke: in pictures
