The Nissan Juke is one of the most distinctive cars on the road, with its unique exterior styling and quirky colour-coded interiors. This attention-grabbing 4×4-style small car has won many fans, thanks to its unusual looks, punchy engines and low prices.
However, don’t think that you have to dig too deep to get a nippy, well-equipped model; even the entry level version packs plenty of kit – no wind-up windows for passengers in the rear here – along with a reasonable level of performance and economy.
We’ve sifted through the Juke range to find the models that will appeal most to those on a tight budget, those after the most bang for their buck and drivers who want the best-equipped model available.
The smart choice for those on a budget – 1.6 94 Visia
This may be the entry-level Juke – weighing in at £13,620 – but even Visia trim gives you niceties such as 16-inch alloy wheels and electric windows all around, while the 1.6-litre petrol motor is frugal and powerful enough for most small car drivers.
Equipped with this engine, the Juke can sprint to 62mph in a reasonable 12.0 seconds, while economy of 47.1mpg means that fuel bills shouldn’t cost you too much, while annual car tax will set you back £130. With air conditioning, six airbags, a CD player and auxiliary input for MP3 players/phones, split-folding rear seats and electric mirrors as standard, you shouldn’t have to venture far into the options list.
The smart choice for value for money – 1.2 DIG-T 115 Acenta Premium
This Juke may cost a hefty £3,100 more than the model above at £16,720, but it offers a more powerful and economical motor – which means that this car can sprint to 62mph in 10.8 seconds and return strong claimed fuel consumption of 50.4mpg – slightly cheaper road tax at £110 per year and a raft of extra equipment.
Standard kit on this model includes a touchscreen sat nav system, a digital radio with access to internet stations, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with a speed limiter function and even a colour reversing camera. Other toys include 17-inch alloy wheels, supportive sports seats, tinted rear windows and colour coded air vents, gear knob and centre console for an added sense of style.
The smart choice for technophiles – 1.5 dCi 110 Tekna
The Juke may be a small car, but opt for range-topping Tekna trim and it isn’t short of equipment, with luxuries like heated leather seats – with colour-coded piping – automatic headlights and wipers and electric folding door mirrors to the Acenta Premium’s already long list of kit.
This Tekna model also gains exta anti-collision safety kit, which can warn you about vehicles in your blind spots and prevent you from starying from your lane on the motorway. With a diesel engine under the bonnet this Juke is available for a substantial £19,165, though those who cover long distances are likely to recoup some of this with low running costs – claimed economy stands at an impressive 70.6mpg while car tax will costs you just £20 per year under current rules. Performance from this diesel engine is reasonable too, with the Juke accelerating from a standstill to 62mph in 11.2 seconds.
Picture: Nissan
