2011 Nissan Juke SV – More than a funny face.
I was willing to keep an open mind when handed the keys to a 2011 Nissan Juke, a crossover vehicle that pushes the boundaries when it comes to quirky design. The Juke could be an extra in a Star Wars movie, a sort of lizard-like bounty hunter sipping a cocktail on Tatooine. Or it could be just plain ugly, take your pick. There is definitely layer upon layer of weirdness going on up front, with circular air intakes, over-sized headlights, and turn signals set on top of the front fenders. The bulging fenders and pert rear are plenty sporty, and the Juke is small at only 162.4 inches long. This actually makes the Juke 6.7 inches shorter than a 2011 Nissan Versa hatchback (the two vehicles ride on the same platform).
If you enjoy a pocket-sized crossover that drives like a well-mannered sedan, you’ll at least love the view from behind the wheel of the Juke. The ride is firmer than many crossovers, though it proved plenty comfortable for a weekend drive from New York to Philadelphia and back. All Jukes come with a turbocharged 188 horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that, when equipped with four-wheel-drive like my test model, offers 25/30-mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. I usually saw something in the region of 26-mpg during my time with the Juke.
There’s lots of hard plastic used on the dash, though it’s not much of a concern considering the cabin’s overall user-friendly layout. Some red plastic on the center console helped liven the mood and break up the usual black and grey monotony. The cloth seats offered good support after several hours of city and highway driving. If you have four people to carry, the Juke is fine. However, if your passengers are also carrying lots of luggage, you’re in trouble. With the rear seats upright, there’s only 10.5 cu ft. of cargo room. That was fine for a weekend’s worth of duffle bags, but the outdoorsy amongst us might try loading a bike or kayak into the back before committing to Juke ownership.
The nimble steering and high seating position at least allowed the Juke to easily bob and weave its way through urban traffic. Manageable proportions and large side mirrors made street parking a breeze. The CVT automatic transmission sometimes made the powertrain feel lethargic and loud, especially under hard acceleration. Though generally speaking, I found the engine offered a nice mix power and economy. And with a starting price of approximately $20,000, the Juke combines plenty of utility (and controversy) into one budget-friendly package.
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