No. 4
Nissan JUKE SL AWD (215.9 points)
Honestly, we scratched our heads more than once while rating the JUKE. For the record, we purposely ignored the fake carbon fibre trim pieces both inside and out since they boosted the price quite severely and didn’t really do much in terms of adding flair to one of the most controversial-looking vehicles of the modern age.
Yes, the Nissan JUKE is one heck of a polarizing figure on the road -- either you love it or you hate it. That being said, it managed to find a niche in the North American landscape, and we tip our hats to Nissan executives who dared to sell such a unique CUV.
The dean of the small crossover segment fared better than the 500X in our comparo despite having some issues of its own. The sloping roofline significantly affects rear-seat headroom, and also explains the JUKE’s cargo capacity being the smallest. Up front, however, the two seats are fairly comfortable, and we certainly didn’t dislike the driving position even though it lacked a telescoping steering column.
The dashboard may suffer from the oldest design in this comparison, but the fact of the matter is that the main controls are smartly laid out. On the flip side, rearward visibility is poor, and the transmission tunnel is finished in hard plastic the shape of a motorcycle fuel tank.
The Nissan JUKE gets a ton of points where driving excitement is concerned. This machine can really put a smile on a driver’s face and brighten their day. Its turbocharged engine offers class-leading power, and despite partnering with a CVT, acceleration truly is lively. The result is a small crossover that feels more like a sporty car than an SUV. Similarly, the sport-tuned suspension is firm enough to tackle corners at a good clip. One complaint: the JUKE’s super-short wheelbase makes for a more unpleasant ride on rough pavement.
All in all, the Nissan JUKE may be several years old, but it still puts up a good fight and even has one foot on the podium according to most of our test drivers.