With 1.5 million units sold worldwide, the first generation Nissan Juke was widely popular. Now, it’s time to see if the new model can live up to expectations, while facing stiffer competition from a growing number of subcompact crossovers.
In terms of exterior styling, it still features an aggressive shoulder line, bulky rear wheel arches and V-motion grille that has grown in size. The lighting units, a focal point of its predecessor, now have a much sleeker and sharper design, which help give it a more grown up look.
The cabin feels nicely put together too, especially in the range-topping Tekna+ grade that starts at £23,895 ($29,190/€26,600) in the UK, £6,500 ($7,940/€7,235) more than the base Visia. You get leather and Alcantara, a nice colorful look, 8-inch infotainment and Bose premium audio.
Also Read: Nissan Trolls Frankfurt Motor Show With Bogus “Francfort” Debut For 2020 Juke
Space inside is better overall, as the car has a bigger footprint with a longer wheelbase. The driving position is more comfortable and front visibility has been improved. ‘Better’ is the most appropriate word to describe the revisions, even if there is some wind and road noise coming into the cockpit at highway speeds and the ride isn’t that comfortable, especially on those big 19-inch alloy wheels.
The 2020 Juke also corners better, with little body roll, although the only engine option currently available won’t encourage any sporty driving. The 1.0-liter turbo’d three cylinder that is connected to a standard six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed automatic transmission, delivers 117 PS (115 hp / 86 kW) and up to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque.
Nissan will eventually launch more power units. Diesels aren’t on the menu, but a plug-in hybrid is likely to join the range.
So, what was WhatCar’s and Auto Express’ verdict after driving it in Spain’s Barcelona, during the media launch? Pretty positive, as you can see for yourselves in the videos.