Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS

[Autos_Editor]

Love doesn't always make sense.

Read More...

[Ace]

I can't believe you are giving this thing  a 4.5/5 for exterior styling. IMO the ugliest car I've ever seen

[redman]

Going by the original concept I'm surprised at the engine choice and poor F.E. Seems like a bigger engine would have been a better choice.

[ArticSteve]

What a ridiculous car.  Every 1.6 Juke is getting a replacement timing chain.  Something is wrong with the overall design of the chain system.  This is just a band aid.

Versa, Rogue and Altima.  3 vehicles to sustain life at a Nissan store and Nissan wastes resources on a Juke Nismo. 

[OliverD]

Price is surprisingly low IMO.

[pcsp]

You know I've got to comment since I own a Juke. Jacob, good to see that you "get" this vehicle. Great, hilarious article. Obviously, looks are subjective, but to me an "ugly" vehicle is one that may be disproportionate, lots of overhang, mismatched pieces, etc. The Juke's uniqueness and overall statement it makes is consistent. To me, at least, it's really good looking. Hey, vanilla is out there if that's what you want.

Fuel mileage I have found to be fair. In pure city driving, it excels (8.0 or better), but doesn't improve much on the highway (probably the snout). I have the 188 hp AWD - the 215 hp Nismo may be worse. Nissan also cleverly improved the cargo capacity of the 2014 by 40%. Seems the floor has been deepened. Should now hold about 49 cu. ft. with seats folded.

Nismo version does look good. Over time, I'm going to incorporate some of the pieces on mine (LED strips/lights, spoiler, etc.). 215 hp in a vehicle weighing just over 2900 lbs. should get you to 60 in mid 6's. As was said above, priced well also.

[SaskSpecV]

Every 1.6 Juke is getting a replacement timing chain.  Something is wrong with the overall design of the chain system.  This is just a band aid.

Maybe one of the reasons why Nissan hasn't put their 1.6 turbo into any other vehicle?  When the Juke first came out, I assumed that its powertrain would migrate to the Sentra for sure, and maybe a "hot hatch" Versa, possibly even the Rogue and Altima once it established a proven track record.  But maybe it's not robust enough for "conventional" vehicles?

Jacob, how would you describe the overall experience of the Juke NISMO RS vs the Focus ST?  And what's the difference between this vehicle and the "non-RS" NISMO Juke?

[JacobBlack]

Every 1.6 Juke is getting a replacement timing chain.  Something is wrong with the overall design of the chain system.  This is just a band aid.

Maybe one of the reasons why Nissan hasn't put their 1.6 turbo into any other vehicle?  When the Juke first came out, I assumed that its powertrain would migrate to the Sentra for sure, and maybe a "hot hatch" Versa, possibly even the Rogue and Altima once it established a proven track record.  But maybe it's not robust enough for "conventional" vehicles?

Jacob, how would you describe the overall experience of the Juke NISMO RS vs the Focus ST?  And what's the difference between this vehicle and the "non-RS" NISMO Juke?

No idea sorry, haven't yet driven the Focus ST. Drove a Focus RS in Australia though. That's a proper sports car, this is a warm CUV.

[nlm]

Wouldn't the AWD with proper torque vectoring take care of the understeer in the Juke, NISMO or otherwise?

[Fobroader]

Great review....and Im with you Jacob.....I really like this thing. An awd with a 6spd manual would make this thing perfect in my books.

[JacobBlack]

Wouldn't the AWD with proper torque vectoring take care of the understeer in the Juke, NISMO or otherwise?

Good point, torque vectoring would help the understeer. Of course, then you would be driving it with a CVT.

[pcsp]

Wouldn't the AWD with proper torque vectoring take care of the understeer in the Juke, NISMO or otherwise?

Good point, torque vectoring would help the understeer. Of course, then you would be driving it with a CVT.

My AWD Juke completely addresses the torque steer problems, as you indicated, and probably helps with understeer (although I don't perceive it as a problem). I see the well-sorted CVT, however, as a major plus. No more 4, 6, 9, or 15 speed transmissions for me. Too many drawbacks compared to the new generation of CVTs.

[Fobroader]

Wouldn't the AWD with proper torque vectoring take care of the understeer in the Juke, NISMO or otherwise?

Good point, torque vectoring would help the understeer. Of course, then you would be driving it with a CVT.

My AWD Juke completely addresses the torque steer problems, as you indicated. I see the well-sorted CVT, however, as a major plus. No more 4, 6, 9, or 15 speed transmissions for me. Too many drawbacks compared to the new generation of CVTs.

You know whats even way better in every way than a "well sorted CVT"




 

[pcsp]

Wouldn't the AWD with proper torque vectoring take care of the understeer in the Juke, NISMO or otherwise?

Good point, torque vectoring would help the understeer. Of course, then you would be driving it with a CVT.

My AWD Juke completely addresses the torque steer problems, as you indicated. I see the well-sorted CVT, however, as a major plus. No more 4, 6, 9, or 15 speed transmissions for me. Too many drawbacks compared to the new generation of CVTs.

You know whats even way better in every way than a "well sorted CVT"




 

In an AWD Juke?

[Weels]

Assume this is the beastie that will be in the upcoming comparo?
Surprised JY hasn't added his opinion here yet... 

[Nuttygent]

  So sad, what a waste of an engine. The little Micra looks far better than the Juke, in fact that would a fun combo!

[dirtyjeffer]

i took a loaded AWD CVT Juke for a test drive a couple of years ago when i was in the market...as i've said before, i loved it...it was small, but fun.

[jamesautos]

the seats are the only redeeming factors for this car...
with the mini cooper S, fiesta ST and focus ST all priced cheaper than this car...why would anyone pick this over the others

if you want AWD...the WRX starts at 30k and thats real AWD rather than this FWD biased system

[dirtyjeffer]

the new Mini Cooper and WRX are nice too...if only i was a billionaire and had a house with a 50 car garage. 

[pcsp]

the seats are the only redeeming factors for this car...
with the mini cooper S, fiesta ST and focus ST all priced cheaper than this car...why would anyone pick this over the others

if you want AWD...the WRX starts at 30k and thats real AWD rather than this FWD biased system

The Juke actually has a real torque vectoring system rather than the faux, brake-based system used on the new WRX.