In all-wheel drive models, you get a multilink rear suspension instead of the standard torsion beam that’s shared with the Versa. After driving both suspensions, not much difference here unless you take to the track. The speed-sensitive, electric-assist steering gives the Juke a go-kart feel. This little Nissan is just darn fun to drive.
Our average fuel consumption totalled 9.7 L/100 km over the course of the week. Oh, and that little blown engine prefers super unleaded.
One thing you can do with the doohickey’s all-wheel drive system is switch it off if you don’t need it. A button on the dash, left of the steering wheel, allows the driver to disengage the rear wheels; not many compact crossovers can do this.
Alas, one of the Versa’s virtues, an extremely spacious interior for its category, hasn’t been copied into the Juke. Inside, there isn’t much passenger space, especially in the back seat. Two non-claustrophobic adults will tolerate the trip, but forget about three across. The cargo area is so small it’s funny, as it barely beats the carrying capability of a Toyota Yaris hatchback. This ain’t no family crossover.
Sitting in the driver’s seat feels like a putting on a glove. The leather upholstery is quite fancy, with red stitches and red tint inside the seat perforations. The painted centre console looks good but the lack of an armrest is aggravating. Some controls on the steering are a far reach for our thumbs.
As for the centre instrument panel, the sound system with navigation might have a small screen, but it’s touch-sensitive and does the job.
And then there’s that so-called I-CON system, the interface responsible for the climate control system but also for D-MODE, where you can choose between three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Eco. It’s a little gimmicky, and frankly, the SV trims don’t have the I-CON interface and fuel economy ratings are the same as in the SL trims. In short, you might fiddle with it for a week before leaving it alone.
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| Our fuel consumption average is 9.7 L/100 km, super unleaded recommended. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
Our average fuel consumption totalled 9.7 L/100 km over the course of the week. Oh, and that little blown engine prefers super unleaded.
One thing you can do with the doohickey’s all-wheel drive system is switch it off if you don’t need it. A button on the dash, left of the steering wheel, allows the driver to disengage the rear wheels; not many compact crossovers can do this.
Alas, one of the Versa’s virtues, an extremely spacious interior for its category, hasn’t been copied into the Juke. Inside, there isn’t much passenger space, especially in the back seat. Two non-claustrophobic adults will tolerate the trip, but forget about three across. The cargo area is so small it’s funny, as it barely beats the carrying capability of a Toyota Yaris hatchback. This ain’t no family crossover.
Sitting in the driver’s seat feels like a putting on a glove. The leather upholstery is quite fancy, with red stitches and red tint inside the seat perforations. The painted centre console looks good but the lack of an armrest is aggravating. Some controls on the steering are a far reach for our thumbs.
As for the centre instrument panel, the sound system with navigation might have a small screen, but it’s touch-sensitive and does the job.
And then there’s that so-called I-CON system, the interface responsible for the climate control system but also for D-MODE, where you can choose between three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Eco. It’s a little gimmicky, and frankly, the SV trims don’t have the I-CON interface and fuel economy ratings are the same as in the SL trims. In short, you might fiddle with it for a week before leaving it alone.
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| The Juke is obviously small inside, especially in the back seat and cargo area. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |