2015 Nissan Juke Review

By Farzana Chaumoo

We uncover the styling, engines, safety spec and more on the 2015 Nissan Juke.

Styling

In 2015, the entire range received a specification upgrade. The centre cluster was also redone to offer a more premium feel. 

The Nissan Juke has been called many names because of its odd looks with all hips, bulges, swells and angles. With its pulled-back roofline and perky tail design it almost like a coupe from some angles which is also because of the hidden rear door handles.

In the cabin, you will find motorcycle-inspired gauges, shiny nylon upholstery, and colourful inserts. It’s a very unique look but at least the layout and buttons are straightforward.

The Drive

The precise steering system and firm suspension make the Juke an agile handler. The Juke has been equipped with the I-CON System that allows the driver to choose from three operating modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Each mode adjusts the throttle response, steering speed and transmission settings based on your preferred driving style.

Performance

The 1.2 DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline - Turbo) engine replaced the normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine in 2015. This engine powers the entry-level Juke models. It features a turbo and intercooler and puts out 85 kW at 4 500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque in a completely flat band from 2 000 rpm to 4 000 rpm. As compared to the engine it replaces, the 1.2 DIG-T gives the driver near 30% of the engine range back to play with under full power delivery.

The second petrol engine in the range is the 1.6 DIG-T which features the same technology as the 1.2 DIG-T, such as an intercooler, Start/Stop technology and direct petrol injection. This engine puts out 140 kW at 5 600 rpm and 240 Nm in a wide band between 1 600 and 5 200 rpm on tap. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8 seconds.

The last of the turbocharged engines is the 1.5 dCi turbo diesel engine, also fitted with an intercooler and has common rail direct injection. This engine puts out 81 kW at 4 000 rpm and 260 Nm of torque between 1 750 and 2 500 rpm. This diesel engine accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 11.2 seconds.

All engines are mated to a choice of a direct-shifting six-speed gearbox or Nissan’s XTronic constantly variable transmission, depending on the model and engine choice. The XTronic gearbox was upgraded to offer a 17% greater ratio speed and 40% less internal friction, which promises to make this transmission even more popular among traffic-weary city dwellers.

Space and Comfort

The 2015 upgrade not only focused on design elements and specifications but took customer feedback into consideration and had their engineers redesign the luggage storage area. Engineers also lowered the space saver spare wheel to increase the luggage space by no less than 40% from 251 litres to 354 litres. The changes were made to all models, except the 4WD model, which has to house a rear differential and multi-link rear suspension system.

Compared to subcompact cars and its crossover rivals, the Juke feels significantly less spacious. The front seats are fairly supportive and the driver's seat is height and backrest adjustable. However, when it comes to head and knee room, space is ‘merely adequate’. What’s nice about the Juke is the high ride height which gives a commanding view over the road, something uncommon in similar sized cars.

Safety

Here is a list of the safety features you can find on the base model - Juke 1.2 TURBO ACENTA:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist System (BA)
• Airbags: Driver, passenger, side and curtain
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with cancel switch
• Child-proof rear door locks
• ISOFIX child seat anchorage
• Multi-reflector Halogen headlamps
• Manual headlamp height adjustment
• Front and Rear Fog lights
• Front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
• Rear seatbelt: 3x3 Point ELR
• Driver and Passenger front adjustable active head restraints
• Second-row head restraint: 3 separate and 1-way adjustable
• Daytime running lights
• High mounted stop light
• NATS immobiliser
• Nissan DataDot anti-theft identification system

Fuel Consumption

The 1.2 DIG-T engine released in 2015 came with the added benefit of an improved fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100 km. The Stop/Start technology, fitted standard, is what contributed to the figure.

The highly popular 1.6 DIG-T uses 6.9 litres of fuel in a combined driving cycle.

The equally popular 1.5 dCi turbo diesel engine sips an impressive 4.2 litres of diesel in a combined driving cycle.

Price

Nissan Juke 1.2 TURBO ACENTA R321 900*

Nissan Juke 1.2 TURBO ACENTA+ R343 900*

Nissan Juke 1.5 DCI ACENTA+ R359 500*

Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T TEKNA R398 900*
Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T TEKNA (Navi+Sunroof) R410 900*

Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T TEKNA 4WD CVT R432 500*

*This is the price and product availability at the time of publishing and is subject to change without notice.

The Verdict

The Juke has responsive engines which are mixed with quick-footed handling and a  comfortable cabin. There is, however, limited cargo space, some cheap interior materials, lack of rear-seat headroom, and let’s not forget, it’s got that love-or-hate kind of style.