Nissan is ready to introduce a new crossover/small SUV called the Juke. It's got unusual, out-of-the-mainstream looks and surprising performance. Prices start below $19K for front wheel drive, and about $21K for an all wheel drive version.
Reviews of the Juke all start with the unusual exterior. The best description I've read so far is "Mr. Potato Head" styling (Chris Paukert, Autoblog). Even Nissan says the front looks like an alligator emerging from under the water. According to reviewers, the car does look better in person than in photos.
Personally, I think the Juke styling is partly a wacky Japanese motif, and partly a result of Nissan's long-term tie to Renault. If I squint a bit, I see styling cues from French cars like the Citroen 2CV.
The interior also is distinctive, with touches that are a bit upscale compared to other $20K subcompacts. The interior has decent room for four, and usable luggage space with only two on board.
The Juke is a small car, about the same dimensions as the Nissan Cube, Kia Soul or Suzuki SX4, with a 100 inch wheelbase. Its turbo 1.6L 4 cylinder motor produces 188 hp, which is quite a lot for a vehicle with a weight of about 3000 lbs. For comparison, the turbo Mini Cooper S produces 172 hp. and weighs 2800 lbs. with front wheel drive.
More important, the Juke's motor produces 177 ft-lbs of torque starting as low as 2000 rpm. This makes for noticeable torque steer in the front wheel drive car. The AWD version does a better job of putting the power to the pavement. The AWD model has a more sophisticated independent rear suspension, and electronically controlled diffs that send torque to the wheels that have traction. The AWD also includes yaw control to reduce understeer, like Nissan's GT-R sport coupe.
The AWD works. All the reviews I've read of the Juke speak in glowing terms about the handling. The Juke is maneuverable and fun to drive fast. The brakes are disc at all four wheels.
The Juke is not for everyone, and that's part of its appeal, particularly to young drivers bored with the slicked smooth styling of so many of today's cars, and the undistinguished boxy looks of small SUVs.
I'm looking forward to driving one when they arrive in Nissan dealers this October.
The Juke home page http://www.nissanusa.com/juke/
Reviews:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/26/2011-nissan-juke-first-drive-review-road-test
http://www.insideline.com/nissan/juke/2011/2011-nissan-juke-full-test-and-video.html
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1005_2011_nissan_juke/index.html
Reviews of the Juke all start with the unusual exterior. The best description I've read so far is "Mr. Potato Head" styling (Chris Paukert, Autoblog). Even Nissan says the front looks like an alligator emerging from under the water. According to reviewers, the car does look better in person than in photos.
Personally, I think the Juke styling is partly a wacky Japanese motif, and partly a result of Nissan's long-term tie to Renault. If I squint a bit, I see styling cues from French cars like the Citroen 2CV.
The interior also is distinctive, with touches that are a bit upscale compared to other $20K subcompacts. The interior has decent room for four, and usable luggage space with only two on board.
The Juke is a small car, about the same dimensions as the Nissan Cube, Kia Soul or Suzuki SX4, with a 100 inch wheelbase. Its turbo 1.6L 4 cylinder motor produces 188 hp, which is quite a lot for a vehicle with a weight of about 3000 lbs. For comparison, the turbo Mini Cooper S produces 172 hp. and weighs 2800 lbs. with front wheel drive.
More important, the Juke's motor produces 177 ft-lbs of torque starting as low as 2000 rpm. This makes for noticeable torque steer in the front wheel drive car. The AWD version does a better job of putting the power to the pavement. The AWD model has a more sophisticated independent rear suspension, and electronically controlled diffs that send torque to the wheels that have traction. The AWD also includes yaw control to reduce understeer, like Nissan's GT-R sport coupe.
The AWD works. All the reviews I've read of the Juke speak in glowing terms about the handling. The Juke is maneuverable and fun to drive fast. The brakes are disc at all four wheels.
The Juke is not for everyone, and that's part of its appeal, particularly to young drivers bored with the slicked smooth styling of so many of today's cars, and the undistinguished boxy looks of small SUVs.
I'm looking forward to driving one when they arrive in Nissan dealers this October.
The Juke home page http://www.nissanusa.com/juke/
Reviews:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/26/2011-nissan-juke-first-drive-review-road-test
http://www.insideline.com/nissan/juke/2011/2011-nissan-juke-full-test-and-video.html
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1005_2011_nissan_juke/index.html