Topic: First Drive: 2011 Nissan Juke

[sacrat]

It's not that I don't get why some might really not care for the styling of this car, but I have to admit, a Tribeca owner ragging on the styling did have me thinking "Holy glass houses Batman!". 

Jaeger

Reminded me of the Ford 500 owner complaining that the Malibu was bland

[OK]

Difference but nice....if nissan can get over it's poor paint issues, bad transmission issues and weak dealer network....this might be a good buy (maybe)

[Alex]

I absolutely LOVE IT. That engine is one of the BEST in this category, along side with the 2.0T from Audi/Volks I drove. Sure it's smaller but I think it will do the job. I can't wait to test it. The design is very refreshing, young and bold. The interior the same. I like IT A LOT!!!

[Frontier1]

Difference but nice....if nissan can get over it's poor paint issues, bad transmission issues and weak dealer network....this might be a good buy (maybe)

Hello OK, you OK?  Welcome to planet earth, enjoy a coffee while we service your spacecraft then GTFO.

[Ex-airbalancer]

They had a clip it on Motoring 2010
Man, it has an ugly front end, it looks like a small Aztec

[Steve]

I've had the opportunity to sit in the new Juke and I'm not sure where all the styling comments come from.  The car is stylish, radical, and definitely a breath of fresh air.  Nissan is definitely innovative and branching out on their own.  I remember when the Murano came out people thought it was radical and Nissan has sold the Murano very well.  I think it'll be virtually impossible to get one for the first 6 months, they're going to sell very well.

[Dante]

"Nissan says the Juke does not have any direct competitors, but will be cross-shopped with vehicles like the Toyota Matrix AWD, Mazda3 Sport, VW GTI and Mini Cooper. It’s interesting that they don’t mention any other small SUVs…"

Intersting.... there is a very direct competitor for the Juke and that is the new Mitsubishi RVR going on sale about the same time. Same concept, different interpretation.

The Juke will have the edge on the power front though, but it will be interesting to compare the fuel economy. The Juke is not up on the EPA website yet, but the RVR is and it posts very good numbers - 26/27 mpg combined.
The price will be in the same range as well I believe. In the US the RVR (Outlander Sport) starts at $18.5K w/ 5MT and FWD.

[Cory X]

Seriously,this thing is UGLY !!!

Imports have the UGLIEST vehicles !!

Line this turd besude an Element,Rondo ect...and have an ugly car contest !!

[blizzard35]

Car Business with Jeremy Cato and Michael Vaughan did a segmant on the Juke a couple of weeks ago and they were "quite" impressed.
I really don't mind the looks of it at all...it certainly is no Pontiac Aztec...now that was a DOG! IMO

[LongDono]

I was extremely excited about this vehicle until you look at what Nissan Canada thinks you should pay for it.

Base SL 22,559 + CVT 500 + AWD 1500 + Navigation/Upgraded Speakers/Leather 0 (included in trim)
Nissan USA = 24,550

Base SL 23,548 + CVT 1300 + AWD 1800 + Navigation/Upgraded Speakers/Leather 2,600 (Navigation Package)
Nissan Canada = 29,248    (Figures obtained from Car Cost Canada and confirmed elsewhere)

Ridiculous. The only way to get the upgraded speakers/sub is via the Navigation Package. Why would I buy a Sport Cross with standard audio? 
Guess I'll have to see what sales end up doing to that price after a year... 

[ArticSteve]

Everything Greg Wilson said about the AWD JUKE is fact, although I think he understated it a wee bit.  This unit is exceptionally fast in the 0-100 kph range and the handling is remarkable in vector mode.  It was raining tonight and I beat this unit as hard as I could and was nowhere close to loosing it on corners.  I had the VSC off.   It's quiet, the CVT shifting is unlike most other CVT Nissans.  It's perfect in this vehicle; very solid.  The seats and the trim are excellent.  Just a fabulous car.  Get ready to see a lot of JUKES. 

major up:

torque sensing front and rear axles with display, can be turned off as can the AWD.  This torque distribution thing is critical to the essence of the vehicle.


downers:

no auto headlights 

as mentioned by last poster, upgraded radio with XM is tied to NAV package, which is not the case with Nissans in general.   

no 6 speed manual in AWD. 

Here's a few pics.  Engine cover just snaps off and on.

Twin turbo is near firewall, passenger side

[Funky munky]

  This is a well-equipped, funky little crossover!  I was in the market for a commuter vehicle and when I sat in the Juke I knew my search was over.  It's going to look great parked in my driveway right beside my Toyota FJ, another great, edgy vehicle.



notroll:

[Ice]

Seriously,this thing is UGLY !!!

Imports have the UGLIEST vehicles !!

Line this turd besude an Element,Rondo ect...and have an ugly car contest !!

Perhaps it can be slotted in next to the Aztek, Malibu Maxx, Calibre or perhaps the Uplander? Ugly cars are not only to be found in import brands. Domestics can do just as good a job too!

[Frontier1]

Well, I prepared myself for some negativity and what not. Everywhere I've gone so far, malls, gas bars, workplace I've only received positive stuff, like "cool" "awesome" "love it", go figure  

Worked overnight, came home in the wee hours, had the 417 to myself.............

[dirtyjeffer]

i should check one of these out...i kind of like the utility and compactness of it...does it run on regular unleaded without any power loss, or do you need premium?

i will visit the Nissan website to see how much one costs the way i want it.

[Frontier1]

i should check one of these out...i kind of like the utility and compactness of it...does it run on regular unleaded without any power loss, or do you need premium?

i will visit the Nissan website to see how much one costs the way i want it.

regular? no idea, have not tried, manual says 91 recommended. Don't know what happens if I don't.

[Ice]

i should check one of these out...i kind of like the utility and compactness of it...does it run on regular unleaded without any power loss, or do you need premium?

i will visit the Nissan website to see how much one costs the way i want it.

regular? no idea, have not tried, manual says 91 recommended. Don't know what happens if I don't.

Probably like most cars these days... The control unit backs off on the timings to compensate for the lower octane. That's usually what they mean when they say recommended... If it's required then usually another story but don't take my word for it here folks

[rrocket]

i should check one of these out...i kind of like the utility and compactness of it...does it run on regular unleaded without any power loss, or do you need premium?

i will visit the Nissan website to see how much one costs the way i want it.

regular? no idea, have not tried, manual says 91 recommended. Don't know what happens if I don't.

It would be fine in a pinch...as long as you stay out of boost.

Another person complaining about the extra $5 a week that it cost to run premium....

[ovr50]

Finally saw the Juke in the "real" - two of them at the local Nissan dealers. Both SV models. One in a maroony-red, and one in an off-white. The red one looked better to me. The car actually looks better in real, than in photos. It's rather "cute" in a Mini-sort of way. It is more macho than feminine, IMO. The driveline stats are impressive.

[Schmengie]

I just had to see the Juke for myself, so I popped over to the dealer the other day to have a look. It looks surprisingly different in the 'steel' than it does in pictures, mostly better, especially from the base of the windshield back. The back looks great, with a distinct touch of Infiniti to it.

However, the one part I was hoping would look better - the front - actually looks worse IMO. A lot worse, unfortunately - I just can't help seeing an unsanforized Aztec, but I guess that's just me. Other than that, and the goofy name, I can't see much to complain about. The mechanicals sure are appealing.