Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T (A) Review
01 Feb 2011|35,563 views
Every once in a while, a car comes along that makes you scratch your head a little. There was the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo - a confused-looking car that has sufficient power and torque to convert the driest of cynics.
Then there are some cars that allow us to complain about their similar looks. Like the Lexus IS250 and the IS F. They look exactly the same, but boy does the IS F make the IS250 look downright puny when you open the bonnets.
My point is this - if you haven't had the chance to lay your eyes on the Nissan Juke, have a peek at it. It does make you scratch your head, but it sure as hell won't make you complain about it looking alike to other cars.
With Singaporeans having the common knowledge of regarding SUVs as 'useless vehicles' in our country, Nissan presented us with its new crossover, Juke - a smaller-sized vehicle to slot beneath the well-received Qashqai.
And yes, it's unique indeed.
Exterior
Alright, let's get the inevitable aesthetic argument out of the way.
The Juke is the sort of car that you'll either love it or hate it simply because Nissan is targeting a very niche market. Apparently, this unique crossover is suitable for drivers who lead a very trendy and active lifestyle and, of course, has a taste for quirky cars.
Styling wise, there are some cues of Nissan's very own models. Up front, the grille has hints of the larger Murano and round the back, Nissan tells us that the design for the Juke's taillights was inspired by the sporty 370Z.
Then there are some cars that allow us to complain about their similar looks. Like the Lexus IS250 and the IS F. They look exactly the same, but boy does the IS F make the IS250 look downright puny when you open the bonnets.
My point is this - if you haven't had the chance to lay your eyes on the Nissan Juke, have a peek at it. It does make you scratch your head, but it sure as hell won't make you complain about it looking alike to other cars.
With Singaporeans having the common knowledge of regarding SUVs as 'useless vehicles' in our country, Nissan presented us with its new crossover, Juke - a smaller-sized vehicle to slot beneath the well-received Qashqai.
And yes, it's unique indeed.
Exterior
Alright, let's get the inevitable aesthetic argument out of the way.
The Juke is the sort of car that you'll either love it or hate it simply because Nissan is targeting a very niche market. Apparently, this unique crossover is suitable for drivers who lead a very trendy and active lifestyle and, of course, has a taste for quirky cars.
Styling wise, there are some cues of Nissan's very own models. Up front, the grille has hints of the larger Murano and round the back, Nissan tells us that the design for the Juke's taillights was inspired by the sporty 370Z.
 |
While the raked canopy steals a few inches of headroom from rear passengers, it does give the car a coupe-like appearance, making the car sporty instead of 'spongy'. This gives it a small edge over its closest competitors such as the Kia Soul and even the Skoda Yeti.
But however sporty or 'spongy' to some, there's no denying it is eye-popping to behold. The front end remains truly challenging, with the signal lights fighting for attention with the protruding, nostril-like round headlights. Spend time with the car after the initial shock and awe and the fascia somehow starts to resemble an alligator.
I reckon few will tell you that the Nissan Juke is attractive. And although there could be a high possibility of cynics overwhelming fans of Nissan, most will come to the same consensus - the Nissan Juke grows on you and will definitely get you a lot of stares on the road.
 |
Interior
Inside, the Juke is more modestly designed. It's less dramatic in here but nonetheless trendy, with a simple design and a few flourishes.
It does set itself apart from the other crossovers with its black and red theme, particularly the radiant red motorcycle-inspired centre console that runs the length of the front compartment. Front seats are commendable and spacious but I can't say the same for the rear ones.
Lengthy passengers at the back may find themselves with little headroom due to the sloping roofline. It does, however, fit three big lads with sufficient shoulder and legroom.
Being a crossover, the Nissan Juke does offer flexibility to take on the daily loads. Boot space may be a mere 251 litres, but knock the rear split-folding seats down and the storage space increases by a significant amount, creating enough space to throw in the necessary items for the Sunday sports activities.
However, there are a couple letdowns.
Inside, the Juke is more modestly designed. It's less dramatic in here but nonetheless trendy, with a simple design and a few flourishes.
It does set itself apart from the other crossovers with its black and red theme, particularly the radiant red motorcycle-inspired centre console that runs the length of the front compartment. Front seats are commendable and spacious but I can't say the same for the rear ones.
Lengthy passengers at the back may find themselves with little headroom due to the sloping roofline. It does, however, fit three big lads with sufficient shoulder and legroom.
Being a crossover, the Nissan Juke does offer flexibility to take on the daily loads. Boot space may be a mere 251 litres, but knock the rear split-folding seats down and the storage space increases by a significant amount, creating enough space to throw in the necessary items for the Sunday sports activities.
However, there are a couple letdowns.
The dashboard, while perfectly acceptable, is disappointingly conventional, especially when compared to the Kia Soul where the dashboard is as distinctive inside as out. In addition, unlike the stonking Murano, there are tons of plastics used and you'll quickly realise that the chrome surfaces on the sides of the doors feel uniformly superficial.
Despite that, the striking crossover scores well for its creative Intelligent Control Display. It's a system that allows the driver to toggle between the air-con and the chassis control using just one screen.
Press a button and the climate control labels disappear from the dash and are replaced with chassis control labels. It almost looks like each button has a mini LCD panel in it to display different labels.
Unlike the frustrating iDrive system or the Multi Media Interface, this system is a very well thought out creation that allows Nissan to add controls to the dash while eliminating the confusion and mess of buttons that plague many cars on the road today.
Despite that, the striking crossover scores well for its creative Intelligent Control Display. It's a system that allows the driver to toggle between the air-con and the chassis control using just one screen.
Press a button and the climate control labels disappear from the dash and are replaced with chassis control labels. It almost looks like each button has a mini LCD panel in it to display different labels.
Unlike the frustrating iDrive system or the Multi Media Interface, this system is a very well thought out creation that allows Nissan to add controls to the dash while eliminating the confusion and mess of buttons that plague many cars on the road today.
 |
The Drive
This 1.6-litre turbocharged powerplant has sizeable lungs, with a century sprint timing that outruns even the 2.5-litre Ford Kuga that was reviewed a couple of weeks ago. There is more than enough torque to cruise effortlessly in and around town.
Available only in the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) version here in Singapore, the Juke feels dramatically powerful on the move, particularly in its Sport mode.
Throttle response is quicker with a rev-oriented range for the engine. And although the Juke is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), it imitates a conventional automatic in Sport mode, shifting up and down through six distinct gears.
It is surprisingly lively on curvy roads just as how it is zipping in and out of holes in traffic. Throw this crossover into a bend and the one-and-a-half ton machine changes direction surprisingly effortlessly.
The steering is quick and lively and it is well-controlled given the car's height while body roll is barely evident. And it's hardly harsh over broken or uneven surfaces.
The Nissan Juke DIG-T 1.6 has got something to offer that almost no other crossovers have. I reckon it's the ability to provide a stable and enjoyable drive on our ever-stressful roads.
This 1.6-litre turbocharged powerplant has sizeable lungs, with a century sprint timing that outruns even the 2.5-litre Ford Kuga that was reviewed a couple of weeks ago. There is more than enough torque to cruise effortlessly in and around town.
Available only in the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) version here in Singapore, the Juke feels dramatically powerful on the move, particularly in its Sport mode.
Throttle response is quicker with a rev-oriented range for the engine. And although the Juke is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), it imitates a conventional automatic in Sport mode, shifting up and down through six distinct gears.
It is surprisingly lively on curvy roads just as how it is zipping in and out of holes in traffic. Throw this crossover into a bend and the one-and-a-half ton machine changes direction surprisingly effortlessly.
The steering is quick and lively and it is well-controlled given the car's height while body roll is barely evident. And it's hardly harsh over broken or uneven surfaces.
The Nissan Juke DIG-T 1.6 has got something to offer that almost no other crossovers have. I reckon it's the ability to provide a stable and enjoyable drive on our ever-stressful roads.
Conclusion
While not without its interior shortcomings, the Nissan Juke, which I have concluded is the result of a splicing coupe and SUV genes, is one crossover that will succeed admirably amongst the trendy and non-conformists.
However, with the current soaring prices of COE, it may prove to be a tad tough for the marque to have the Juke rolled out onto the roads. And it's a pity because with a turbocharged engine that can deliver enough thrills to put a smile on anybody's face, it's no bad thing. Simply put it, once you drive this funky machine, you may find yourself falling for it.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
While not without its interior shortcomings, the Nissan Juke, which I have concluded is the result of a splicing coupe and SUV genes, is one crossover that will succeed admirably amongst the trendy and non-conformists.
However, with the current soaring prices of COE, it may prove to be a tad tough for the marque to have the Juke rolled out onto the roads. And it's a pity because with a turbocharged engine that can deliver enough thrills to put a smile on anybody's face, it's no bad thing. Simply put it, once you drive this funky machine, you may find yourself falling for it.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Every once in a while, a car comes along that makes you scratch your head a little. There was the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo - a confused-looking car that has sufficient power and torque to convert the driest of cynics.
Then there are some cars that allow us to complain about their similar looks. Like the Lexus IS250 and the IS F. They look exactly the same, but boy does the IS F make the IS250 look downright puny when you open the bonnets.
My point is this - if you haven't had the chance to lay your eyes on the Nissan Juke, have a peek at it. It does make you scratch your head, but it sure as hell won't make you complain about it looking alike to other cars.
With Singaporeans having the common knowledge of regarding SUVs as 'useless vehicles' in our country, Nissan presented us with its new crossover, Juke - a smaller-sized vehicle to slot beneath the well-received Qashqai.
And yes, it's unique indeed.
Exterior
Alright, let's get the inevitable aesthetic argument out of the way.
The Juke is the sort of car that you'll either love it or hate it simply because Nissan is targeting a very niche market. Apparently, this unique crossover is suitable for drivers who lead a very trendy and active lifestyle and, of course, has a taste for quirky cars.
Styling wise, there are some cues of Nissan's very own models. Up front, the grille has hints of the larger Murano and round the back, Nissan tells us that the design for the Juke's taillights was inspired by the sporty 370Z.
Then there are some cars that allow us to complain about their similar looks. Like the Lexus IS250 and the IS F. They look exactly the same, but boy does the IS F make the IS250 look downright puny when you open the bonnets.
My point is this - if you haven't had the chance to lay your eyes on the Nissan Juke, have a peek at it. It does make you scratch your head, but it sure as hell won't make you complain about it looking alike to other cars.
With Singaporeans having the common knowledge of regarding SUVs as 'useless vehicles' in our country, Nissan presented us with its new crossover, Juke - a smaller-sized vehicle to slot beneath the well-received Qashqai.
And yes, it's unique indeed.
Exterior
Alright, let's get the inevitable aesthetic argument out of the way.
The Juke is the sort of car that you'll either love it or hate it simply because Nissan is targeting a very niche market. Apparently, this unique crossover is suitable for drivers who lead a very trendy and active lifestyle and, of course, has a taste for quirky cars.
Styling wise, there are some cues of Nissan's very own models. Up front, the grille has hints of the larger Murano and round the back, Nissan tells us that the design for the Juke's taillights was inspired by the sporty 370Z.
|
While the raked canopy steals a few inches of headroom from rear passengers, it does give the car a coupe-like appearance, making the car sporty instead of 'spongy'. This gives it a small edge over its closest competitors such as the Kia Soul and even the Skoda Yeti.
But however sporty or 'spongy' to some, there's no denying it is eye-popping to behold. The front end remains truly challenging, with the signal lights fighting for attention with the protruding, nostril-like round headlights. Spend time with the car after the initial shock and awe and the fascia somehow starts to resemble an alligator.
I reckon few will tell you that the Nissan Juke is attractive. And although there could be a high possibility of cynics overwhelming fans of Nissan, most will come to the same consensus - the Nissan Juke grows on you and will definitely get you a lot of stares on the road.
|
Interior
Inside, the Juke is more modestly designed. It's less dramatic in here but nonetheless trendy, with a simple design and a few flourishes.
It does set itself apart from the other crossovers with its black and red theme, particularly the radiant red motorcycle-inspired centre console that runs the length of the front compartment. Front seats are commendable and spacious but I can't say the same for the rear ones.
Lengthy passengers at the back may find themselves with little headroom due to the sloping roofline. It does, however, fit three big lads with sufficient shoulder and legroom.
Being a crossover, the Nissan Juke does offer flexibility to take on the daily loads. Boot space may be a mere 251 litres, but knock the rear split-folding seats down and the storage space increases by a significant amount, creating enough space to throw in the necessary items for the Sunday sports activities.
However, there are a couple letdowns.
Inside, the Juke is more modestly designed. It's less dramatic in here but nonetheless trendy, with a simple design and a few flourishes.
It does set itself apart from the other crossovers with its black and red theme, particularly the radiant red motorcycle-inspired centre console that runs the length of the front compartment. Front seats are commendable and spacious but I can't say the same for the rear ones.
Lengthy passengers at the back may find themselves with little headroom due to the sloping roofline. It does, however, fit three big lads with sufficient shoulder and legroom.
Being a crossover, the Nissan Juke does offer flexibility to take on the daily loads. Boot space may be a mere 251 litres, but knock the rear split-folding seats down and the storage space increases by a significant amount, creating enough space to throw in the necessary items for the Sunday sports activities.
However, there are a couple letdowns.
The dashboard, while perfectly acceptable, is disappointingly conventional, especially when compared to the Kia Soul where the dashboard is as distinctive inside as out. In addition, unlike the stonking Murano, there are tons of plastics used and you'll quickly realise that the chrome surfaces on the sides of the doors feel uniformly superficial.
Despite that, the striking crossover scores well for its creative Intelligent Control Display. It's a system that allows the driver to toggle between the air-con and the chassis control using just one screen.
Press a button and the climate control labels disappear from the dash and are replaced with chassis control labels. It almost looks like each button has a mini LCD panel in it to display different labels.
Unlike the frustrating iDrive system or the Multi Media Interface, this system is a very well thought out creation that allows Nissan to add controls to the dash while eliminating the confusion and mess of buttons that plague many cars on the road today.
Despite that, the striking crossover scores well for its creative Intelligent Control Display. It's a system that allows the driver to toggle between the air-con and the chassis control using just one screen.
Press a button and the climate control labels disappear from the dash and are replaced with chassis control labels. It almost looks like each button has a mini LCD panel in it to display different labels.
Unlike the frustrating iDrive system or the Multi Media Interface, this system is a very well thought out creation that allows Nissan to add controls to the dash while eliminating the confusion and mess of buttons that plague many cars on the road today.
|
The Drive
This 1.6-litre turbocharged powerplant has sizeable lungs, with a century sprint timing that outruns even the 2.5-litre Ford Kuga that was reviewed a couple of weeks ago. There is more than enough torque to cruise effortlessly in and around town.
Available only in the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) version here in Singapore, the Juke feels dramatically powerful on the move, particularly in its Sport mode.
Throttle response is quicker with a rev-oriented range for the engine. And although the Juke is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), it imitates a conventional automatic in Sport mode, shifting up and down through six distinct gears.
It is surprisingly lively on curvy roads just as how it is zipping in and out of holes in traffic. Throw this crossover into a bend and the one-and-a-half ton machine changes direction surprisingly effortlessly.
The steering is quick and lively and it is well-controlled given the car's height while body roll is barely evident. And it's hardly harsh over broken or uneven surfaces.
The Nissan Juke DIG-T 1.6 has got something to offer that almost no other crossovers have. I reckon it's the ability to provide a stable and enjoyable drive on our ever-stressful roads.
This 1.6-litre turbocharged powerplant has sizeable lungs, with a century sprint timing that outruns even the 2.5-litre Ford Kuga that was reviewed a couple of weeks ago. There is more than enough torque to cruise effortlessly in and around town.
Available only in the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) version here in Singapore, the Juke feels dramatically powerful on the move, particularly in its Sport mode.
Throttle response is quicker with a rev-oriented range for the engine. And although the Juke is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), it imitates a conventional automatic in Sport mode, shifting up and down through six distinct gears.
It is surprisingly lively on curvy roads just as how it is zipping in and out of holes in traffic. Throw this crossover into a bend and the one-and-a-half ton machine changes direction surprisingly effortlessly.
The steering is quick and lively and it is well-controlled given the car's height while body roll is barely evident. And it's hardly harsh over broken or uneven surfaces.
The Nissan Juke DIG-T 1.6 has got something to offer that almost no other crossovers have. I reckon it's the ability to provide a stable and enjoyable drive on our ever-stressful roads.
Conclusion
While not without its interior shortcomings, the Nissan Juke, which I have concluded is the result of a splicing coupe and SUV genes, is one crossover that will succeed admirably amongst the trendy and non-conformists.
However, with the current soaring prices of COE, it may prove to be a tad tough for the marque to have the Juke rolled out onto the roads. And it's a pity because with a turbocharged engine that can deliver enough thrills to put a smile on anybody's face, it's no bad thing. Simply put it, once you drive this funky machine, you may find yourself falling for it.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
While not without its interior shortcomings, the Nissan Juke, which I have concluded is the result of a splicing coupe and SUV genes, is one crossover that will succeed admirably amongst the trendy and non-conformists.
However, with the current soaring prices of COE, it may prove to be a tad tough for the marque to have the Juke rolled out onto the roads. And it's a pity because with a turbocharged engine that can deliver enough thrills to put a smile on anybody's face, it's no bad thing. Simply put it, once you drive this funky machine, you may find yourself falling for it.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Photos by Julian Kho
Car Information
Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T (A)
CAT B|Petrol|13km/L
Horsepower
142kW (190 bhp)
Torque
240 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Nissan Juke
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