2011 Nissan Juke

Review

The 2011 Nissan Juke is a new, small, sporty vehicle that made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. It is intended to provide a sportier alternative to the hatchbacks that seem to dominate the small car segment. It is based on the Qazana concept that made its debut at last year’s Geneva Auto Show. It seats five passengers. The standard 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine cranks out 188 horsepower, thanks to turbo-charging and direct injection. The Juke is one of the sportiest small cars available, while still being miserly on gas. The Juke also features sport-tuned suspension, responsive steering, and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. These three combine to provide the most-enjoyable handling experience.

Performance Features

The exterior of the 2011 Nissan Juke is part SUV, part sports car. The bottom part of the car sports wide tires and a higher ground clearance. All-wheel drive is available, not for off-road performance, but for added traction. The higher ground clearance offers better visibility for people who are used to driving SUVs.

The top part has a roofline of a coupe and rear doors with handles that are located in the door frame. The turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-4 engine delivers 188 hp and 177 pound-feet of torque. With the S trim, a CVT is included. The SV and SL give the option of a six-speed manual or the CVT. All-wheel drive is available in every trim package. The Juke can hit 60 mph in just over seven seconds. It gets 24-27 mpg in the city and 30-32 mpg on the highway.

Interior Features

The SL adds automatic headlights, foglights, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Optional features for the S include a Sport, Chrome, and an Interior Illumination package. The SV can be purchased with those as well as a Navigation package. The SL also offers the Sport, Chrome, and Interior Illumination packages.

Most drivers should find a comfortable driving position. Taller passengers may have to duck to avoid the sloping rear windows. Those same windows restrict cargo when the seats are reclined, although there is a decent-sized cargo space when they’re flipped down. That makes for 36 cubic feet of space.

How the 2011 Nissan Juke Compares to the Competition

The peppy performance, lively handling, and cozy front seats make the Juke a fun, economic selection for all sorts of commuters. The somewhat odd design, excess plastic in the interior, and limited rear-seat headroom are somewhat off-putting, but not worthy of serious complaint. Once people get used to the styling, there may be many of these Nissans juking across America’s roadways. The concept is worthy, even if the Juke has a face only a mother could love. Despite being a compact vehicle, it is designed with a stronger engine than most vehicles in its segment.