2016 Nissan Juke: Still Ahead of its Time

The world of the subcompact crossover SUV is growing and it seems every automaker now has at least one to offer us. This trend has only been in existence for a few short years, which started with the Nissan Juke five years ago. This is a small and highly capable SUV that gives you great styling, excellent features, modern technology and a price that makes it easily affordable. The Juke is an affordable and active small crossover SUV that is fun to drive and brings in the attitude you want to have in a vehicle that makes it fun to take out for a night on the town.

With this little SUV you know that you will enjoy a great deal of capability for the price. The starting price for the base model is only a little more than $21,000 which is a wonderful price for a crossover SUV that offers the style of the Juke. Moving up the lineup the AWD Juke RS will cost you about $10,000 more at the $31,000 level which is still an exceptionally reasonable price for a vehicle that brings in a great deal of excellent features to give you more capability.

For this cost to drive the Juke gives you a five passenger interior that is spacious and stylish. You are greeted in the driver’s seat with a motorcycle fuel tank look from the center console and plenty of ventilation controls to allow for the different driving abilities. The infotainment and materials of the Juke let you know this is modern vehicle that is ready for you to own. Even though there is only 10.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, when they are folded down you expand to 35.9 cubic feet which is enough to carry a small load.

The looks of the Juke haven’t changed much in five years, and why should they? This is one of the most attractive SUVs on the market with a stance that means business and a curve and flow that is engaging and highly attractive. If you want a vehicle that is genuinely cool to look at and drive this is the one for you. The front offers headlights that are perfectly fitted to look a lot like an insect in flight while the rear end gives us a sporty curve toward the rear bumper. You can even upgrade the looks with a Nismo body kit to add more aerodynamics.

As with many SUVs there is only one engine for this vehicle, but that engine is set up in many different ways. This makes it easier for you to enjoy the ride. The base version of the engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that gives you 188 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. For this base version you only get to mate the engine to a CVT which resembles a six-speed automatic to give you fuel numbers of 28 city/32 hwy mpg for the FWD version and 26 city/31 hwy mpg for the AWD model.

Moving up the engine is tuned to the Nismo and RS models add a manual transmission for a FWD version or a better tuned CVT automatic. The power output for the engine with the manual transmission is 215 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque while the improved automatic allows for 211 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. The fuel numbers of this setup will arrive at 25 city/31 hwy mpg for the FWD manual and 25 city/29 hwy mpg on the AWD automatic to offer even better overall driving fun for you with the Juke.

The equipment you get to enjoy for the Juke comes in at five different trim levels which are S, SV, SL, Nismo and Nismo RS. At the S model the Juke offers push button starting, a rearview camera, an audio system with a five-inch color display, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free compatibility, air conditioning and power windows. Moving up to the SV you will enjoy the increase of the I-CON climate and driving setting controls, a power moonroof, premium cloth seating, rear privacy glass, a leather wrapped steering wheel and automatic climate controls.

At the SL trim we begin to see the options packages by adding leather upholstery, a 5.8-ich screen for navigation and voice recognition, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, heated front seats, automatic headlights and the AroundView bird’s eye rearview monitor. The Nismo brings in sport tuning, 18-inch wheels, an improved front grill and synthetic suede upholstery. The Nismo RS adds Recaro front bucket seats and an improved exhaust and braking system. There is also a Cold Weather and Tech package available for this car to give even more upgrades along with many different color choices that an offer the vibrant color scheme you want to enjoy and love.

With all this said, what is the Juke? The Juke is a small SUV that gives you the zip you want to be able to weave in and around your area while coming in at a price that is easy to enjoy. Adding the AWD gives you even more capability, especially when the weather turns foul. For 2016 the additions to this little SUV include the Siri Eyes Free along with more colors to choose from. This gives the Juke more of what we have come to love from this great little SUV.

The zippy drive is not just a function of the engine, but also of the amazing suspension and steering systems. You will be able to feel as if this is a sports car in an SUV body that makes for a wonderful twist on what is also offered on the market. With a low weight and small build this SUV can cut through the air better than most and give you the fuel mileage and performance you want to enjoy while also offering the fun and funky colors that will allow you to be noticed in your new Nissan Juke.