Juke Builds On Original's Success

Nissan adopts an evolutionary approach for the small SUV’s styling, but improves its tech, practicality and driving manners

James Brodie

Nissan has taken its time with the second-generation Juke – and you can see why. Despite a nine-year run, the previous version of this segment-defining SUV still left showrooms in big numbers right up to its demise. More than 60,000 were sold globally last year, with over a million finding homes since launch in 2010.

Sitting on a new platform shared with the Renault Clio, the underpinnings are tasked primarily with supporting a car that needs to be better to drive than its predecessor. Nissan has also targeted improvements in fuel economy and practicality, as well as updated on-board technology.

There’s a clear family link to the original model, with the new version retaining the old car’s split headlights (now powered by LED tech), strong shoulders and squat, sporty profile. The new Juke holds a spot of its own in Nissan’s line-up, but it’s clearly a larger and more conventionally styled car than before. It’s bigger in every way, too; the wheelbase swells to 2,636mm.

That’s a good length for the class, and it’s evident in the back. The headroom is a little tight and it’s quite dark, while the bulky tunnel restricts foot space in the middle seat, but the legroom and knee room are good. The boot expands to 422 liters and the opening is now much wider than before, with an adjustable floor as well.

While the exterior changes are more of an evolution, the interior is a total overhaul from the previous car. Alongside the new cabin design, Nissan says emphasis has been placed on quality; range-topping cars such as our Tekna+ example get Alcantara and part-leather trim, but there are still some slightly hard, unpleasant plastics higher on the dash. The driving position has improved massively though, and there are a lot more adjustments thanks to a steering column that adjusts for reach as well as height.