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What’s it like?
When the original Nissan Juke launched in 2010, it followed in the trailblazing steps of its big brother, the Qashqai, to further cement the popularity of the crossover in the minds of the buying public. So instead of its customers simply buying a Micra and going on their merry way, they could alternatively choose a higher-riding, strikingly styled vehicle in the form of the Juke. Such was this car’s popularity that it precipitated an explosion of smaller, compact, ‘B-segment’ crossovers from rival companies, in much the same way the Qashqai led the field in the larger C-segment.
Thus, when it came time to replace the original car with this Mk2 in 2019, Nissan didn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The exterior styling of the second-generation Juke is toned down a little from the first, but still instantly recognisable as Nissan’s smallest crossover/SUV, while both the interior finishing and the driving manners of the runaround were given a significant uptick in quality.
Which model to go for?
Nissan originally offered this version of the Juke with a turbocharged 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine called the DIG-T. This delivered 117hp to the front wheels alone, either through a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. In the sprightlier, more economical manual, that meant 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds and an official consumption figure of 6.2 litres/100km (45.6mpg). Power was later marginally cut to 114hp, but it makes no difference at all to the way the DIG-T drives.
In 2022, the DIG-T was joined by the Juke Hybrid, which borrowed a drivetrain from Nissan’s automotive partner Renault (where it is marketed as the ‘E-Tech’). This uses a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 36kW electric motor, along with a small battery pack. It also deploys the unusual automatic transmission from the Renaults, with peak power outputs of 143hp and 205Nm quoted for the Nissan. This results in a 10.1-second 0-100km/h time and improved economy, with 5.0-5.1 litres/100km (55.4-56.5mpg) accompanied by lower CO2 emissions of 114-115g/km.
The Mk2 Juke drives in an accomplished fashion, without being very exciting. It rides well and has plenty of grip, and there’s not really enough of a gap between the drivetrains to make an easy choice if performance is your preferred metric. The Hybrid should prove more economical to run in the long term, however, so if you want to save a few cents on fuel then it’s the one we’d recommend.
Does anything go wrong?
There are no known serious issues specific to the Mk2 Nissan Juke or its chosen drivetrains, so really all you’re looking for is the general condition of the vehicle overall, in relation to its age and mileage. As B-segment affordable urban runarounds, cars like the Juke can often have relatively tough lives, with the bodywork and wheels showing signs of city-speed scrapes, bumps and kerbing. Check that the example you’re looking at is therefore in good nick and carefully looked after, as there are plenty of Jukes on the used market so you can afford to be picky.
There have been just two recalls for the Mk2 Juke, whereas there were six for the Mk1. The first recall for the latest car related to early models and their rear seatback locking mechanism, which could mean the back bench’s upright portion could be unsecured when in motion, while the second recall was specifically for the Hybrid – if both its brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously, it could lead to a reset of the control systems, meaning the engine might not run as smoothly as it should.