Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Nissan Juke SL AWD

[Autos_Editor]

 A light-hearted, small crossover that's sure to please the buyer that prefers fun over function.

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[redman]

I've tried to figure this and similar vehicles to where they fall into.
Not so much in market or category but in one's justification.
The only thing that I could come up with is maybe it appeals to someone who likes a fun hatch, something like a VW GTI.
As a small SUV/CUV it just fails because it lacks the positive merits of what an SUV is for me,
but then again it may just be a vehicle setting a mood and marketing hip trend or similar for Nissan.

At this price point it just comes up short. I don't see the value.

Not hitting the niche mark heavy enough (lacking caches of let's say the Mini) and definitely failing as an SUV.
In reference to an SUV\CUV. I'm in that crowd who thinks mini SUV\CUV is an oxymoron something akin to Pretty ugly, Original copy and growing smaller.

[Solstice2006]

After the Cube, (which has horrible sales), there is no Nissan I dislike more than this Juke.  It's like the engineers were designing the vehicle, and forgot it was supposed to be a CUV.  As per the article, it has the least cargo space in its class, the lights are on the hood, the independent suspension is only available on the SL trim.

But I have to say that the Juke boasts quite an impressive list of technology goodies.  There’s a navigation system that comes bundled with a backup camera in my tester, a fairly decent Rockford Fosgate sound system, satellite radio, iPod integration, Bluetooth, keyless start and entry… and heated leather seats

  This stuff is standard, or optional on all vehicles.

To make things even worse, it has a CVT to return good gas mileage, but I don't consider 10.6L great fuel economy from a 1.6L turbo.  I think these turbos are getting over hyped, a natural aspirated, direct injection 2.4L can get that easily. 

I am sure you didn't love the vehicle, it sounds like you were making excuses for Nissan the whole article...

[life in the slow lane]

After the Cube, (which has horrible sales), there is no Nissan I dislike more than this Juke.  It's like the engineers were designing the vehicle, and forgot it was supposed to be a CUV.  As per the article, it has the least cargo space in its class, the lights are on the hood, the independent suspension is only available on the SL trim.

My dislike is the reverse, Juke is the most hideous vehcile design IMHO. At least the Cube can be useful for hauling bulky items, so it scores a few points for that despite its looks.

[Solstice2006]

So Lesley are you a new author for Autos.ca?  If so welcome....I saw some postings from you in the mini-cuv comparo.  And you mentioned you would be driving the Encore next.  How come in this review you're Autos Editor?, and in the other article your Lesley?... (with far fewer posts)

[safristi]

Lesley ...Alfonso is full of it......................say so...............the Murano convertible was and is a DISASTER,,,,,,,,does he hang out with the Fiat Master baiter?   another fantasist......I know   I know ...they would cut you off of any access to their LOFTY BULLSHIP.................and "Karz"....we know all this so show us something new and beyond the usual..........aka the Autoextremist type of thingy.............     aint gonna happen IS IT.............

[Ace]

 Without a doubt a real stinker !! I don't know what looks worse, the front or the back or maybe the profile. Nissan should change its name and replace the first letter J for a P!

[Northernridge]

I have a different opinion. The Juke isn't my kind of car and does look weird but it's more different than ugly. To me more than other segments CUVs represents the very sad automotive design race toward sameness. It's almost to the point where automakers can pool their resources and just share one CUV design and consumers just select the badge that gets glued on the front before they drive home. All the jelly beans are the same.

There is no such thing as buying a CUV to be different. It's like buying an iPhone to stand out.

[ArticSteve]

The base Juke in the 6 speed is the value car @20K   @.9%/60   The colour white seems to mitigate the appearance. 

The SL AWD CVT is a bridge WAY TOO FAR.

The motor is a Nissan masterpiece.  If they could shove that into a Miata style sports car it would be such a home run.

[Snowman]

Questionable styling and lack of functionality = piled up at dealer lots like cord wood. The completion in this segment is fierce and there are better choices available. I expect more form Nissan 

[Lesley]

So Lesley are you a new author for Autos.ca?  If so welcome....I saw some postings from you in the mini-cuv comparo.  And you mentioned you would be driving the Encore next.  How come in this review you're Autos Editor?, and in the other article your Lesley?... (with far fewer posts)

Thanks for the welcome Solstice. I'm more of a "returning" writer, as I was around during the days of Canadian Driver and had my first piece published here in 2005.

It was a real-live editor (probably Jon) who posted the story on here.

[Solstice2006]

The base Juke in the 6 speed is the value car @20K   @.9%/60   The colour white seems to mitigate the appearance. 

The SL AWD CVT is a bridge WAY TOO FAR.

The motor is a Nissan masterpiece.  If they could shove that into a Miata style sports car it would be such a home run.

Nissan has mentioned a smaller sports car, like the 240sx, I sure hope it's not this motor.  The last thing Nissan needs, is another vehicle that depends on premium fuel.  Leave that to premium fuel to premium vehicles, it is possbile to do turbo without premium fuel, Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler seem to be doing ok. 

Nissan has never won any awards for any 4 cylinder engine, turbo, or naturally aspirated. The 2.5L in the Altima has pretty crappy reliability compared to the V6. Not very fuel efficient either...

[ArticSteve]

Leave that to premium fuel to premium vehicles, it is possbile to do turbo without premium fuel, Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler seem to be doing ok. 

Specifically what turbos motors are you comparing 

Want a sports car with a small displacement high end turbo motor    You pay for premium gas which is a whopping 15 cents a gallon in the US or you get a detuned effort.   When the BRZ Turbo hits the market I doubt it will be detuned so Americans can save 15 cents a gallon. 

[mixmanmash]

The base Juke in the 6 speed is the value car @20K   @.9%/60   The colour white seems to mitigate the appearance. 

The SL AWD CVT is a bridge WAY TOO FAR.

The motor is a Nissan masterpiece.  If they could shove that into a Miata style sports car it would be such a home run.

Nissan has mentioned a smaller sports car, like the 240sx, I sure hope it's not this motor.  The last thing Nissan needs, is another vehicle that depends on premium fuel.  Leave that to premium fuel to premium vehicles, it is possbile to do turbo without premium fuel, Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler seem to be doing ok. 

Nissan has never won any awards for any 4 cylinder engine, turbo, or naturally aspirated. The 2.5L in the Altima has pretty crappy reliability compared to the V6. Not very fuel efficient either...

One great 4 cylinder from the past comes to mind.  The SR20 series.

[toolatecrew]

Leave that to premium fuel to premium vehicles, it is possbile to do turbo without premium fuel, Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler seem to be doing ok. 

Specifically what turbos motors are you comparing 

Want a sports car with a small displacement high end turbo motor    You pay for premium gas which is a whopping 15 cents a gallon in the US or you get a detuned effort.   When the BRZ Turbo hits the market I doubt it will be detuned so Americans can save 15 cents a gallon. 

Don't the Hyundai motors in both the Veloster Turbo and the Genesis Turbo (270 HP rwd sport coupe) run on regular?
Both the Ford 1.6 and 2.0 Ecoboost run regualr.

The 1.6 (catching fire issues aside) is comparable in output to the Nissan motor in the Juke but does so with regular.

After seeing it in the flesh I actually don't mind the exterior that much. It's not pretty but its kind of funky. At least it isn't Aztek ugly.

The whole concept of the vehicle leaves me cold. A cramped, no cargo room, thirsty CUV?

WHat they nned to do is that the speed trubo , give it awd, change the gearing so it revs a bit lower on the highway and drop the whole thing into a Sentra body and create an SER Quattro. I might even buy that.

[Juke1]

Leave that to premium fuel to premium vehicles, it is possbile to do turbo without premium fuel, Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler seem to be doing ok. 

Specifically what turbos motors are you comparing 

Want a sports car with a small displacement high end turbo motor    You pay for premium gas which is a whopping 15 cents a gallon in the US or you get a detuned effort.   When the BRZ Turbo hits the market I doubt it will be detuned so Americans can save 15 cents a gallon. 

Don't the Hyundai motors in both the Veloster Turbo and the Genesis Turbo (270 HP rwd sport coupe) run on regular?
Both the Ford 1.6 and 2.0 Ecoboost run regualr.

The 1.6 (catching fire issues aside) is comparable in output to the Nissan motor in the Juke but does so with regular.

After seeing it in the flesh I actually don't mind the exterior that much. It's not pretty but its kind of funky. At least it isn't Aztek ugly.

The whole concept of the vehicle leaves me cold. A cramped, no cargo room, thirsty CUV?

WHat they nned to do is that the speed trubo , give it awd, change the gearing so it revs a bit lower on the highway and drop the whole thing into a Sentra body and create an SER Quattro. I might even buy that.

Something like that is coming;)

As for my experience with the Juke, it's a keeper, I enjoy driving that thing every single day.  Cramped, snug, of course it is, but I knew that going in otherwise I would have bought the Rogue.  The Altima is our people carrier when we need to.  We are surely racking up the miles on both, respectable f/e and all troublefree of course.  Of all the negativity in regards to the looks(especially here), I have to say there is not a vehicle that I have owned where so many people have come to me in parking lots, ie Costco, Futureshop, the gas bars etc to tell me they think its so cool and they love it.  For those who have missed  the reason why the Juke has that face, it was to imitate a dune buggy

[Solstice2006]

Leave that to premium fuel to premium vehicles, it is possbile to do turbo without premium fuel, Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Chrysler seem to be doing ok. 

Specifically what turbos motors are you comparing 

Want a sports car with a small displacement high end turbo motor    You pay for premium gas which is a whopping 15 cents a gallon in the US or you get a detuned effort.   When the BRZ Turbo hits the market I doubt it will be detuned so Americans can save 15 cents a gallon. 

As noted by "toolatecrew" several turbos run on regular.  And tell me why Nissan uses this 1.6L here?  What sports car? People are willing to pay premium gas for a sports car. In the whole comparo, the Juke is the only one that runs on premium.  Next time your going to smite me, please do some research, if I give you the manufacturer, you should be able to figure out the engine. 

[Weels]

I love this thing.

From the article:

'The Juke and Murano Convertible (No.) are cars that appeal to someone who’s looking around – and they just can’t connect to something. I think our portfolio is diverse and brings people in who might not have otherwise, and they join the family and see that we have innovation in everything that we do.” said Albaisa.

Excellent Mr. Albaisa.  I'd love to connect to one of these.  Thanks.

[Juke1]

I love this thing.

From the article:

'The Juke and Murano Convertible (No.) are cars that appeal to someone who’s looking around – and they just can’t connect to something. I think our portfolio is diverse and brings people in who might not have otherwise, and they join the family and see that we have innovation in everything that we do.” said Albaisa.

Excellent Mr. Albaisa.  I'd love to connect to one of these.  Thanks.

LOL...Do you think you'll be able to stay connected to the steering wheel when you tramp it