It seems that, everywhere, where Nissan Juke, follow these three adjectives seem to be. And we get it: a subcompact crossover. The Juke its high wheel arches and a higher beltline bears as a badge nonconformist of honor.

Their effect is only enhanced by the sliver of the side Windows, ambiguous rear doors, bulged tailgate, and twisted-front and rear lights-glasses, climbing, blister-like, from the surface of the body. But the depreciation of the Juke like a cheap carnival trick on wheels would be a disservice.

Engine Work

If you are looking for an indication of how seriously Nissan takes the Juke you will find in the extensive round of revisions to its engineers carried out the increase on the 1.6-liter inline-four that designed for 2015. The pistons are new, the compression ratio (now 10.5:1 to 9.5:1). The internal friction and engine weight has been reduced by the conversion of iron-Liner.

There are even more.

Nissan is also a new intermediate lock function has been equipped on the suction side of the continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System, a low-pressure EGR system to lower exhaust gas temperature, is turned on, a variable high-pressure oil pump, and optimized injector performance. This was definitely more than just a tuning tweak.

In spite of the significant hardware updates, the second Generation of the 1.6-liter 
turbo-four, exactly the same 188 HP and 177 lb-ft of torque produced, than the previous 
version. The good news is that the maximum torque is available at 1600 rpm, while the 
old setup has not its full grunt up to 2000 U/min.

It is still a little buzzy, but much less than before. Nissan claims that additional benefits of lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. The latter is also confirmed by a 1 mpg improvement in both city and highway mileage ratings. Which now stand at 26 and 31 mpg. We took 26 mpg in combined driving.

CVT transmission

Paired with the CVT transmission could be used as the only dance partner. Two wheel drive Jukes, with a six-speed manual transmission, the 2014 model of the year. Our all-wheel-drive Juke SL drivetrain was well suited to the drive of the 3205-pound hatchback.

With zero-to-60 and quarter-mile times of 6.9 and 15.4 seconds, it easily out-accelerate competitors like the 2015 Jeep Renegade 4×4 with the 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four-and nine-speed automatic (8.8 and 16.8), and the 2016 Honda HR-V AWD with a 1.8-liter four and CVT (9.5 and 17.4). Nissan’s Integrated control (I-CON) offers Normal, Sport and Eco drive modes, the cutter for throttle, steering and transmission response. It goes without saying that we favored.

Segment-leading acceleration aside, this is not the kind of drive that inspires deep analysis or criticism. Despite Nissan’s inclusion of gear like “steps” in the CVT, we are the easiest way to find the smiles per mile was easy, the transmission is in the drive. Select the Sport mode and mash the gas pedal.

All 177 lb-ft of torque is available from 1600 to 5200 Rev/min, what is the drama helps the merging maneuver. Vice versa, the CVT is not shy about letting the engine wind-up and mix with the 6400 rpm redline. With the AWD system, the amount of which varies torque sent to the front and rear up to a 50/50 split of traction is abundant.

Electric power steering

Equipped with 17-inch 215/55 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, our Juke has managed to achieve a lateral acceleration figure of 0.84 g on our 300-foot skidpad. Handily beat the above-mentioned Renegade – 0.78 g and 0.80 g, taken from the all-wheel-drive Honda HR-V. Speed-dependent electric power steering gets the job done with a good sense of security, but its synthetic feel is boring.

Still, the small 99.6-inch wheelbase, and rear axle with torque vectoring increases the sent the amount of torque to the outside rear wheel in cornering—assessment of the Juke already nimble. Tromping on the brake pedal showed solid and lightweight, the braking effect is modulated. The Juke hauling down to a stop from 70 km / h is required, 177 meters of Asphalt.

Tight Spots

Even if the Nissan is supposed to be a five-passenger vehicle, we found it difficult, in most cases, there are still two people back in the background. While it is quite possible for a pair of long-limbed people comfortably in the front, slide the front seats to the rear of the back seat is essentially unusable. We found it much preferable to fold the rear seat backrest forward, the increase in the diminutive of 10.5 cubic feet of cargo space, the slightly less-diminutive 35.9 cubic feet, the creation of a quasi–shooting brake of sorts. In this configuration, the Juke is a Minimum of real utility.

MSRP

Those who are not yet convinced that the Juke has a simple page just have to consider your $27,765 base MSRP. After turning on floor mats and a cargo Mat ($210), and a center armrest ($250), our Juke SL AWD rang in at a cool 28.225 US Dollar. This number shoulders rubbing with vehicles like the Honda CR-V EX-AWD (base price $27,675). Mazda CX-5 AWD Touring ($27,345). Two vehicles with a bit less attitude, but a lot more space in the interior. But for those extroverts who want a tough-turbo engine in a tiny AWD crossover. The Juke is a serious business.