2023 Nissan Juke new car review

The small SUV segment is one of the most competitive in the country and this Japanese brand has a few features that separate it from the pack.

Nissan Juke.

Nissan’s Juke SUV is often overlooked in the small SUV segment. We put it to the test to find out what it’s all about.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Nissan Juke.

Nissan’s Juke has a sporty flavour.

VALUE

The Nissan Juke range kicks off at roughly $31,700 drive-away for the ST model and climbs to a tick over $40,000 for the top-of-the-range Ti. Our test car, the ST-L, sits in the middle of the five-model range and costs roughly $37,900 drive-away. The extra spend over the ST brings built-in satnav with live traffic updates, heated imitation leather front seats, digital radio, front parking sensors, a digital driver readout, bigger 19-inch alloy wheels, a 360 degree parking camera and radar cruise control. Overall, it’s well equipped for the price, with a decent-sized central touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, two USB outlets and a 12-volt plug. The cabin is well screwed together, with impressive attention to detail and quality finishes and materials, although it feels a little dated against more modern rivals. Nissan has a five-year/unlimited km warranty and its prepaid five-year capped service plan is $2148.

It’s roomier inside than its compact dimensions will have you believe.

COMFORT

Despite its compact dimensions, the Juke is surprisingly roomy inside. The rear seats have decent leg and headroom and there’s enough adjustment – albeit manual – in the driver’s seat to accommodate bigger bodies. The heated seats are a bonus on cold mornings and long drives where the back might get a little stiff. There are no individual aircon vents in the back seats but it’s a small cabin that cools relatively quickly. The rear load area is a decent size for a compact city SUV, although the floor doesn’t sit flat when you fold the rear seats. The 19-inch rims with relatively low profile tyres look great but they deliver a bumpy ride around town, where they tend to jar over bigger bumps. Add to that a transmission that jerks at low speeds and the driving experience can be less than serene around town. In contrast, the Juke feels refined and solid at highway speeds, save for some tyre roar on certain road surfaces.

The cabin is well appointed and there is lots of attention to detail.

SAFETY

The Juke has an impressive standard safety arsenal that includes lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as traffic sign recognition. The Nissan scored the maximum five stars in independent crash tests back in 2020. It achieved an impressive 94 per cent mark for adult occupant protection and 87 per cent for child protection. The five-star rating runs out in 2025.

The strong motor is let down by a jerky dual-clutch automatic transmission.

ON THE ROAD

The Juke is a mixed bag to drive. The little 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder can be a little gruff at lower speeds but it gets the job done and feels relaxed at highway speeds, showing surprising willingness for a tiny engine when asked to overtake at speed. It’s let down, however, by the indecisiveness of the seven-speed auto, which can lead to tardy takeoffs from the lights, especially when you add the car’s stop-start function to the equation. At speed, the Juke feels stable and settled, sitting flat through the corners and absorbing mid-corner bumps without too much fuss. The ride is firm but acceptable at highway speeds but those big rims pick up imperfections at lower speeds. Official fuel consumption is 5.8L/100km but we found we used roughly 7L/100km in a mix of urban and country driving.

VERDICT 3/5

Well equipped cabin with quality finishes, but the jerky transmission and bumpy ride take some of the gloss off the driving experience.

ALTERNATIVES

Hyundai Venue, about $32,400 drive-away. Funky looks and attractive price but down on power compared with the Nissan and smaller inside.

Mazda CX-3 Touring SP, about $38,400 drive-away. Well equipped, strong safety package and more powerful engine but getting a little long in the tooth.

Toyota Yaris Cross GLX hybrid, about $36,800 drive-away. Fairly plain interior but solid quality, exceptional fuel economy and fun to drive.

Nissan Juke ST-L

PRICE About $37,900 drive-away

ENGINE 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo, 84kW/180Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICING Five years/unlimited km, $2148 for five years

SAFETY Six airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-departure and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition

THIRST 5.8L/100km

SPARE Temporary

LUGGAGE 422 litres

Originally published as 2023 Nissan Juke new car review