Small crossovers have become a huge money maker for
mainstream automakers. Nissan knows this all too well, as they practically
reinvented the segment nearly 10 years ago with the original Juke, only to take
it to the next level with the new one.
Presented last month, the 2020 Juke retains a
youthful approach, while cutting back on the funkier aspects of the design that
were’t everyone’s cup of tea. Being that it still targets a young audience,
Nissan offers several dual-tone designs, with 11 body colors and 3 roof shades,
while riding on up to 19-inch wheels.
Thanks to over-the-air-updates, in-car Wi-Fi,
advanced infotainment system, smartphone app used to control and monitor some
of the functions and other features, the new Juke is Nissan’s most connected
vehicle ever. It also gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation
system, Google Assistant compatibility, Bose Personal Plus sound system and
ProPilot semi-autonomous driving that makes the daily commute more pleasant by keeping
it centered in the lane and at safe distance from other cars.
Speaking of safety, it comes with Intelligent
Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Recognition, Intelligent Lane
Intervention, Intelligent Speed Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot
Intervention and Traffic Sign Assist.
It may look sporty, but for now, the 2020 Juke comes
only with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It kicks out
117 PS and 180 Nm of torque, or 200 Nm with over torque function, and is paired to a six-speed manual or seven-speed
dual-clutch automatic transmission, with paddle shifters. The former achieves
5.9 l/100 km (47.9 mpg UK / 39.9 mpg US) in the WLTP test cycle, and the latter
does 6.0 l/100 km (47.1 mpg UK / 39.2 mpg US).
Nissan officials have said that they are looking
into addition powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid version that
sister-company Renault is planning for the Captur, though no diesel unit will
be on offer.
The Japanese company axed the first generation Juke
from it’s US lineup in 2018 and essentially replaced it with the Kicks. At
least for now, Nissan has no plans to bring the new Juke back to the States.
