Don’t let the small 1.6-liter inline-4 engine in the 2013 Nissan Juke SUV Crossover fool you; this vehicle delivers quite spirited performance. It pairs with either a CVT or six-speed manual transmission to offer 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. While this may not seem like much, Juke is a light vehicle and can therefore accelerate zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Plus, all-wheel drive is available on all trims, which is nice considering some vehicles require an upgraded trim for this powertrain. Believe it or not, Juke’s impressive exterior is not its only strong selling point. This is a vehicle that offers fantastic fuel economy, returning 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Juke is easy and fun to drive. It handles well, and with a super polite turning circle of only 36.4 feet, it is a breeze to park and maneuver in tight spaces. On the downside, you can expect to deal with some wind and road noise in the cabin, but not to the point where it is overly invasive.
• Audio - The base audio system is nothing to get excited about with six speakers, but considering the small size of the vehicle, it’s not as bad as you might expect. It includes an interface system for iPod, auxiliary audio input jack, speed sensitive volume control, steering wheel audio controls and a CD player. A Rockford Fosgate ecoPUNCH™ system is available with an amplifier and 8-inch subwoofer.
• SiriusXM - Both SV and SL models come with a 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, which includes NavWeather and NavTraffic.
• Navigation - The available navigation system will get you where you need to go with a 5-inch touchscreen color monitor, maps and turn-by-turn directions.
Juke receives top safety scores in front, side and roof protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It can also stop from 60 mph in 123 feet; an average but respectable number. In addition to your typical airbags, Juke also protects you with roof-mounted side-impact ones for optimal head protection. Other safety features include:
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Hood buckling creases
• Front and rear crumple zones
• Steel side door guard beams
• Seatbelt pretensioners
• Vehicle Dynamic Control
• LATCH system for children
• Engine immobilizer
• Emergency braking assist
• Rear door safety locks
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Stability control
Without a doubt, the exterior styling is what draws most people to Nissan Juke. It is fresh, exciting and distinct, and there is certainly not another vehicle on the road that looks anything like it. Standard 17-inch five-split spoke aluminum wheels are super sharp, but can also be upgraded to black ones. The styling is sporty and futuristic and certainly ahead of its time.
The interior of Juke will impress some but disappoint others. The front seats are supportive and comfortable with ample room for taller passengers. However, the rear seat is not quite as generous, especially when it comes to head room. This sloped roof makes Juke’s rear seat much more practical for children than adults. As for design, body-colored surfaces and organic curves welcome you, but it is the thoughtful storage compartments and clearly marked controls that you will really appreciate the most.
When it comes to cargo space, there is absolutely nothing worth getting excited over. You get a measly 10 cubic feet with the rear seat in place, and even with the seats down, only 36 cubes are opened up.