Nissan Juke Review

The Nissan Juke is one of the more distinctive small SUVs on the market, combining bold exterior styling with a relatively compact body. This second-generation model arrived in 2019, replacing the original Juke that had proved enormously popular since its introduction in 2010. It brought significant improvements to comfort, handling, interior quality and practicality, making the Juke a much more convincing all-rounder.

A substantial update in 2024 introduced a redesigned interior, larger digital displays and additional equipment. The exterior retained its distinctive proportions, with slim upper headlights, large circular lower lamps, pronounced wheelarches and a sharply sloping roofline.

Inside, the dashboard has a more sophisticated appearance than before. Soft-touch materials cover many of the main surfaces, while a 12.3-inch touchscreen and matching digital instrument display give the cabin a modern feel. The driving position is relatively high, making the Juke easy to place in traffic. There's also more adjustment than in the original model, including reach adjustment for the steering wheel.

Rear passenger space is adequate rather than generous, particularly for taller adults, but the petrol version has a useful 422-litre boot. The hybrid's battery reduces that to 354 litres, which is worth considering if you regularly carry a pushchair or larger luggage.

There are two engines in the current UK range. The DIG-T 114 uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine producing 114PS. It's available with a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Hybrid 143 combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a small battery. It produces 143PS, has an automatic gearbox and can travel short distances using electricity alone. The hybrid is particularly effective in town, where its electric motor helps deliver smoother, quieter progress.

Current trims are Acenta Premium, N-Connecta, Pulse Edition and Tekna+. The previous Tekna specification can still be found among used examples and remaining dealer stock.

Competition is strong, with the Ford Puma, the Renault Captur, the Skoda Kamiq and the Volkswagen T-Cross all offering compelling alternatives. The Juke's greatest strengths remain its distinctive design, smart cabin and ease of use.

The Nissan Juke Hybrid 143 N-Connecta is the best choice for buyers who regularly drive around town. Its combination of petrol and electric power feels particularly well suited to urban driving. It can pull away quietly using electricity and switch between its two power sources automatically.

The hybrid is also more economical than the standard petrol, officially returning up to 60.1mpg, compared with up to 48.7mpg for the manual petrol.

N-Connecta strikes a good balance between equipment and price. It includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument display, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a 360-degree camera system. Those are useful additions, particularly given the Juke's restricted rear visibility. However, the hybrid costs substantially more than the equivalent petrol model and has a smaller boot.

The DIG-T 114 manual in N-Connecta trim therefore makes a strong alternative if you cover fewer miles or want to minimise the purchase price.

Acenta Premium also represents good value, while Pulse Edition adds distinctive styling and additional technology. Tekna+ is generously equipped but relatively expensive.

The Nissan Juke starts at £24,485 for the DIG-T 114 manual in Acenta Premium trim. Choosing the seven-speed automatic increases the price to £25,985. N-Connecta costs £26,765 with the manual petrol engine or £28,265 as an automatic. The Hybrid 143 N-Connecta starts at £30,295, making it £3,530 more expensive than the equivalent manual petrol.

The distinctive Pulse Edition costs £27,865 as a petrol manual, rising to £31,395 for the hybrid. At the top of the range, Tekna+ costs £28,865 with the manual petrol engine, while the Tekna+ Hybrid is £32,395.

The Juke is competitively priced against other small SUVs, although higher-specification versions face strong competition from larger alternatives.

The Ford Puma is the strongest alternative if you enjoy your driving. It has sharper steering, more engaging handling and a particularly clever luggage compartment. However, the Skoda Kamiq is more spacious and practical, with generous rear legroom, good visibility and a straightforward interior.

The Volkswagen T-Cross is similarly sensible, offering a sliding rear bench that provides greater flexibility between passenger and luggage space. The SEAT Arona is another strong all-rounder, combining tidy handling with a practical cabin and efficient petrol engines.

The Renault Captur feels more sophisticated inside and offers considerably more luggage flexibility thanks to its sliding rear seats. Its full-hybrid engine is also impressively economical.

The Toyota Yaris Cross is particularly appealing if fuel economy is a priority, with a hybrid drivetrain that can be more efficient than the Juke's. The Hyundai Kona offers a roomier cabin and a choice of petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains.

The Nissan Juke is practical enough for everyday use, although its distinctive styling means there are some compromises compared with more conventional small SUVs.

Front passengers have plenty of headroom and legroom, while the raised driving position makes getting in and out relatively easy. There's a good range of adjustment for the driver's seat and steering wheel, so most people should be able to find a comfortable position.

The dashboard is logically arranged, with the touchscreen positioned high enough to be viewed without looking too far away from the road. Physical controls remain for the heating and ventilation, making them easier to adjust than the touchscreen-based systems in some rivals.

Cabin storage is reasonable. There are useful front door pockets, cupholders and a centre-console compartment, although some of the smaller storage areas aren't particularly generous.

Rear-seat space is considerably better than in the original Juke, but taller passengers may still find headroom and legroom limited. The sloping roofline makes the rear feel less spacious than in a Skoda Kamiq or a Renault Captur. Two adults can travel comfortably enough on shorter journeys, but carrying three across the back will be a squeeze. ISOFIX mounting points are fitted to the outer rear seats.

Boot capacity depends on the engine. The 1.0-litre petrol Juke has a 422-litre boot, making it reasonably competitive against other small SUVs. There's enough space for weekly shopping, a pushchair or several bags, while an adjustable boot floor makes the luggage area more versatile. The Hybrid 143 has a smaller 354-litre boot, because some of the space is occupied by its battery. That's a noticeable reduction and makes the petrol version the better choice if maximum luggage capacity matters. Folding the 60:40 split rear seats increases capacity to 1,305 litres in the petrol or 1,237 litres in the hybrid.

Overall, the Juke is practical enough for a small family, although several rivals offer greater flexibility.

The Nissan Juke is 4,210mm long, 1,800mm wide & 1,593mm high. Width increases to 1,983mm with the door mirrors included, while the wheelbase measures 2,636mm. Those dimensions make the Juke relatively compact, particularly compared with larger family SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai.

The turning circle is approximately 10.6 metres, helping make it easy to manoeuvre in town and in tight parking spaces. The Juke's distinctive roofline and relatively small rear windows can make judging the back of the car more difficult, although parking sensors and cameras help considerably.

Every current Nissan Juke comes with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, introduced as part of the 2024 interior update. The display is angled towards the driver and provides access to audio, smartphone connectivity and vehicle settings. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, allowing drivers to use familiar navigation, music and messaging apps.

There's also a 12.3-inch digital instrument display on every current version, providing a clear view of speed, trip information and other driving data.

The infotainment menus are generally straightforward, although the system doesn't feel quite as slick as the latest setups from Volkswagen and Skoda. Built-in satellite navigation with TomTom live traffic is standard on Pulse Edition and Tekna+. It's available through an optional Navi Pack on N-Connecta. That pack also includes wireless phone charging and additional rear USB-C connections.

Acenta Premium provides a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. N-Connecta adds front parking sensors and Nissan's Intelligent Around View Monitor, which uses four cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the car. It's particularly useful because the Juke's thick rear pillars restrict visibility.

Pulse Edition and Tekna+ add a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, with speakers integrated into the front head restraints. Higher specifications also feature Nissan's ProPILOT driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane assistance on suitable versions.

Overall, the Juke provides plenty of useful technology without making its interior unnecessarily complicated.

The Nissan Juke has a well-finished interior, with a combination of soft-touch materials, decorative trim and practical upholstery. The upper dashboard and main contact points feel relatively plush for a small SUV, although harder plastics are used lower down.

Acenta Premium comes with black cloth seats and a straightforward interior finish. N-Connecta uses similar upholstery but adds equipment and decorative details that make the cabin feel more complete. The Pulse Edition has a distinctive dark blue interior, combining navy synthetic leather with contrasting grey fabric inserts. Its upholstery and decorative finishes complement the edition's distinctive exterior colours. Tekna+ has the most luxurious interior, with premium black leather and Alcantara upholstery alongside additional decorative detailing.

The overall quality is competitive with mainstream rivals, even if some alternatives use more expensive-feeling materials.

The current Nissan Juke range offers two engines, with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes depending on the version.

The entry-level DIG-T 114 uses a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 114PS and 200Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is also available.

The petrol engine feels reasonably responsive around town, where its modest size and low-speed torque help the Juke accelerate smoothly enough through traffic. However, it needs to work harder on faster roads, particularly when overtaking or carrying a full load. The manual reaches 62mph in 10.7 to 11.0 seconds, depending on specification. The automatic is slower, taking 11.8 seconds. Both have a maximum speed of 112mph.

The alternative is the Hybrid 143, which combines a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery. Total system output is 143PS, while the petrol engine itself produces 94PS. The electric motor helps provide additional performance at lower speeds and allows the car to travel short distances without using petrol.

Unlike the mild-hybrid systems fitted to some rivals, the Juke's full hybrid can propel the car using electricity alone. The battery has a capacity of 1.3kWh and charges automatically through the petrol engine and regenerative braking. There's no need to plug it in. The hybrid uses an automatic transmission that combines four gears for the petrol engine with two for electric drive. It reaches 62mph in 10.1 seconds, making it slightly quicker than the petrol manual and noticeably quicker than the petrol automatic. Its maximum speed is 103mph.

Neither engine makes the Juke particularly quick, but the hybrid's smoother low-speed response suits its character well.

For predominantly urban driving, the Hybrid 143 is the more appealing choice. For buyers on a tighter budget, the petrol manual remains perfectly adequate.

The Nissan Juke is particularly well suited to town driving, where its compact dimensions and relatively high driving position make it straightforward to use. The steering is light enough for easy manoeuvring, while the controls are predictable and undemanding. Visibility through the front windscreen is good, although the thick rear pillars and small back window can make reversing more awkward. Fortunately, every version includes parking assistance, with a useful 360-degree camera system available from N-Connecta upwards.

On faster roads, the Juke feels stable and secure through bends. There's relatively little body roll and the steering is accurate enough, although the car doesn't encourage enthusiastic driving in quite the same way as a Ford Puma.

Ride comfort is acceptable rather than outstanding. Models with smaller 17-inch wheels generally cope better with broken road surfaces, while the 19-inch wheels fitted to higher specifications make sharp bumps more noticeable. That difference is worth considering if you regularly drive on poorly maintained roads.

Motorway refinement is another area where the Juke falls behind some rivals. Wind and tyre noise become more noticeable at higher speeds, particularly on cars fitted with larger wheels. The 1.0-litre petrol engine also needs to work relatively hard when accelerating onto a motorway or overtaking slower traffic.

The Hybrid 143 is noticeably more relaxed in town. It can pull away using electric power, making stop-start traffic quieter and smoother than in the conventional petrol. The transitions between petrol and electric power are generally unobtrusive, although the engine can become noisy when accelerating hard. Its automatic transmission is also well suited to urban driving.

Overall, the Juke feels tidy, secure and easy to drive rather than particularly sporty or refined.

Independent safety organisation Euro NCAP awarded the Nissan Juke five stars in 2019. It achieved scores of 94% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child protection, 81% for vulnerable road users and 73% for safety assistance. The hybrid was added to the same rating in 2022.

However, the rating expired in January 2026 and shouldn't be compared directly with results achieved under today's tougher testing standards.

Current Jukes have generous standard safety equipment, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, traffic-sign recognition and driver attention monitoring. Higher specifications add blind-spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert and additional driver-assistance features.

The most economical Nissan Juke is the Hybrid 143, which officially returns between 58.9mpg and 60.1mpg. That's a worthwhile improvement over the petrol models, particularly for drivers who spend plenty of time in traffic.

The DIG-T 114 manual manages between 47.9mpg and 48.7mpg, while the seven-speed automatic returns between 46.3mpg and 47.1mpg.

In everyday driving, the difference between petrol and hybrid will depend heavily on journey type. The hybrid is most effective in urban conditions, where it can make frequent use of electric power. Its advantage is smaller during sustained motorway driving, and alternatives such as the Toyota Yaris Cross can be more economical overall.

The petrol remains reasonably efficient when driven gently, although fuel consumption rises noticeably when the small turbocharged engine is worked hard.

The Nissan Juke comes with a three-year/60,000-mile manufacturer warranty, whichever limit is reached first. That applies to both petrol and hybrid versions. Nissan also provides a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and three years of paintwork cover.

Extended warranty packages are available for owners who want additional protection after the original warranty expires. Depending on the package and eligibility, cover can be extended for vehicles up to 10 years old or with up to 100,000 miles.

The Juke generally requires servicing every 12 months or up to 18,000 miles, depending on the version and maintenance schedule.

Current Nissan Juke models generally occupy insurance groups 12 to 15, making them relatively affordable to insure by small-SUV standards. The petrol versions are usually found in groups 12 to 14, depending on gearbox and trim. The Acenta Premium manual is group 13, while the Pulse Edition manual sits in group 14.

Hybrid versions are generally in groups 14 and 15. These are relatively modest classifications compared with many family SUVs.

Nevertheless, individual premiums depend on factors including the driver's age, location and claims history, so it's worth obtaining a quotation for the exact model before buying.

Every current Nissan Juke pays the standard £200 annual Vehicle Excise Duty rate from its second year onwards. First-year tax is included in the on-the-road price of a new car.

None of the current Juke range comes close to the £40,000 threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement, so owners don't face the additional annual charge.