Topic: First Drive: 2011 Nissan Juke

[tpl]

Pity. The Element was perhaps the only Japanese car I might have bought for myself...  not quite...I suppose a NSX, S2000 or maybe a WRX STI.

[Mitlov]

We love our Element.  While marketed at outdoorsy young 20-somethings, I think it's best suited to being the family hauler for a family with young children.  The rear suicide doors (and the pillarless space you get when all doors are open) is great for loading kids in, and the wipe-clean interior (rubber floor, waterproof fabric on the seats) is a blessing when everything from apple juice to vomit starts flying.

I wouldn't say I love the Juke's styling, but I appreciate its originality, and it doesn't offend my sensibilities.

[Shnak]

We love our Element.  While marketed at outdoorsy young 20-somethings, I think it's best suited to being the family hauler for a family with young children.  The rear suicide doors (and the pillarless space you get when all doors are open) is great for loading kids in, and the wipe-clean interior (rubber floor, waterproof fabric on the seats) is a blessing when everything from apple juice to vomit starts flying.

We looked at the Element when it came out 5-6 years ago... my main problem with it was the rear seats. 4 seatbelts just wasn't enough for what we wanted, and that makes the Element an impractical family hauler. Another problem was the rear seats being really close to the floor, making them unconfortable for any average-height adult. I really think those rear seats played a major role in the Element not catching on more than it did.

[johngenx]

We wanted an Element when it first came out, but were shocked at the price.

[Mitlov]

We looked at the Element when it came out 5-6 years ago... my main problem with it was the rear seats. 4 seatbelts just wasn't enough for what we wanted, and that makes the Element an impractical family hauler. Another problem was the rear seats being really close to the floor, making them unconfortable for any average-height adult. I really think those rear seats played a major role in the Element not catching on more than it did.

I find most rear-center seats unusable when you have a big Britax child seat on each side, so we didn't miss it.

We never really tried the rear seat for adults, as it'll have children in it essentially all the time.

We wanted an Element when it first came out, but were shocked at the price.

Yeah, from what I heard, it was really overpriced in Canada.  Pricing was much more sensible in the US.  We got ours--a fully-loaded EX AWD model--new for about $23,000 out-the-door.  The Element has done pretty well down here--I see them everywhere I go--and I suspect the price difference has a lot to do with that.

[Shnak]

We looked at the Element when it came out 5-6 years ago... my main problem with it was the rear seats. 4 seatbelts just wasn't enough for what we wanted, and that makes the Element an impractical family hauler. Another problem was the rear seats being really close to the floor, making them unconfortable for any average-height adult. I really think those rear seats played a major role in the Element not catching on more than it did.

I find most rear-center seats unusable when you have a big Britax child seat on each side, so we didn't miss it.

We never really tried the rear seat for adults, as it'll have children in it essentially all the time.

See, that's another great thing about the Radian baby seats we bought, they're not as wide as the Britax seats. Two adults can fit reasonably comfortably next to the baby seat in the Sonata. You can apparently fit 3 Radian seats next to each other while you usually can't for other seats.

And also, we quite often have adults with us, either my parents or my in-laws... being able to sit adults in the rear seats of our vehicles is always a must for us.

[dirtyjeffer]

Yeah, from what I heard, it was really overpriced in Canada.  Pricing was much more sensible in the US.  We got ours--a fully-loaded EX AWD model--new for about $23,000 out-the-door.  The Element has done pretty well down here--I see them everywhere I go--and I suspect the price difference has a lot to do with that.

yup...the EX AWD model is just over $38,200 taxes included...you can almost get 2 Kia Soul's for that money.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

We wanted an Element when it first came out, but were shocked at the price.

Yup. We looked at one, but it just didn't make sense financially.

[mykijiji]

Juke Wipers - a design flaw! Hello Nissan! Hello Transport Canada?

Now that winter is upon us, we all take for granted the ability to lift the wipers completely off he windshield in order to clean out the snow & ice. We all give our wipers a few hard taps, right?

Well, your out of luck with a Juke's wipers! Even after opening the hood, only the driver's side wiper can be fully lifted off.

IMHO, this represents a hazard.

Does anyone know whether Nissan will be issuing a recall for a retrofit? I wonder whether Transport Canada is aware of the problem.

Methinks a well placed call from an automotive journalist would definitely have greater impact than from some schmo who's in the market for a reasonably priced vehicle.

[vdk]

Juke Wipers - a design flaw! Hello Nissan! Hello Transport Canada?

Now that winter is upon us, we all take for granted the ability to lift the wipers completely off he windshield in order to clean out the snow & ice. We all give our wipers a few hard taps, right?

Well, your out of luck with a Juke's wipers! Even after opening the hood, only the driver's side wiper can be fully lifted off.

IMHO, this represents a hazard.

Does anyone know whether Nissan will be issuing a recall for a retrofit? I wonder whether Transport Canada is aware of the problem.

Methinks a well placed call from an automotive journalist would definitely have greater impact than from some schmo who's in the market for a reasonably priced vehicle.

Maybe this will help.

Skip to 0:45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06ePpp_fII

[TopGun]

Maybe this will help.

Skip to 0:45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06ePpp_fII

Oh that helps a lot!  I didn't skip anything.   

[vdk]

Maybe this will help.

Skip to 0:45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06ePpp_fII

Oh that helps a lot!  I didn't skip anything.   

 

Yeah, hot wipers!

[safristi]

..But mein Fraulein dit not show up fer werk today....... .....BITTER eh!!!!

[Zombie]

So what if it is freezing raining and they whole car is encased in ice. Can you get to the wipers with your scraper?

[vdk]

So what if it is freezing raining and they whole car is in cased in ice. Can you get to the wipers with your scraper?

No chance 

[Phillipee]

Dude, quit posting the same old wrong information all over the interweb.     This is the third post I've found from you an it's wrong. 

You can easily move the wipers to a place where they can be lifted off the windshield.  Press the wiper stalk for about 1 second after you turn off the car... Voila... Magically the wipers move to the sweet spot.  No need to lift the hood   

This information IS in the manual and you probably would have found it... if you read it... but I think you decided to waste your time complaining.  I am surprised you can turn on the car with that fancy push button instead of keys...