Nissan’s Juke, Britain’s eighth most popular new car last year, has received a comprehensive update as the Japanese brand looks to leapfrog Ford’s best-selling Puma.
The second-generation Juke, which has been on sale since 2019, has been updated with a new interior and larger touchscreen, more technology and driver assistance systems, and what Nissan says is a big step forward in quality. .
But this comes at a price, as the upgrade means customers will have to pay around £900 more than before for the ‘Marmite’ crossover.
Juke facelift: This is the facelifted version of Nissan’s crossover, which was the eighth best-selling new car in Britain last year.
Since the original Juke hit the market in 2010, it has been a success story, especially in Britain.
Designed at the company’s center in the heart of London, developed at its research department in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, and built at Nissan Sunderland, the Juke’s DNA is very much in the heart of England.
Around 1.3 million examples have been sold worldwide over the last decade and a half, with the Juke accounting for three in ten Nissan sales in the UK.
And its popularity seems to be on the rise.
While the appearance of the first-generation Juke was polarizing (which is why it is often referred to as a Marmite car), the one on sale today is more grown-up and winning over a larger number of buyers.
In fact, it achieved 31,745 registrations in 2023, more than the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus, which secured it a position in the list of the 10 best-selling cars last year.
As for small crossovers, only the Ford Puma sold in greater numbers in the previous 12 months.
But in an effort to steal some sales from the Puma, which was the most popular new car in Britain last year, Nissan has given the Juke a complete refresh for 2024.
Designed in London, developed in Bedfordshire and built in Sunderland, the Juke’s DNA is very much at the heart of England.
With 31,745 registrations in 2023, the Juke consolidated its position in the list of the 10 best-selling cars. As for small crossovers, only the Ford Puma sold in greater numbers
The biggest changes occur inside, starting with a larger touch screen.
Previously eight inches from corner to corner, the new screen is 12.3 inches and has a higher resolution.
It’s also fully customizable, allowing owners to choose which commonly used options to include in a drop-down menu at any time.
The display layout is said to be more intuitive than before and the screen is angled eight degrees towards the driver for easier access.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will come standard, and the voice recognition software has been updated with improved “natural language understanding” capability.
Nissan says you can also play video content on the larger touchscreen, via USB-connected devices, although this is only visible when the car is stationary.
A larger infotainment screen takes center stage in an all-new cockpit, said to be inspired by the “cockpit of a fighter jet”, with all control switches and function buttons within easy reach .
Previously eight inches from corner to corner, the new screen is 12.3 inches and has higher resolution.
The new screen is fully customizable, allowing owners to choose which commonly used options to include in a drop-down menu at any time.
There’s also a reversing camera with higher pixels, as well as updates to smartphone connectivity and improved cybersecurity to keep hackers at bay.
Also new to the glovebox is the connection for an ‘alcolock’ breathalyser, which, if made mandatory under UK regulations, could mean that drivers with previous drink-driving offenses would have to provide a breath sample before that the car allows them to start the engine.
The larger screen takes center stage in an all-new cockpit, said to be inspired by the “cockpit of a fighter jet”, with all control switches and function buttons within easy reach.
There’s a cluster of higher-quality TFT drivers (12.3-inch for mid-spec and top-spec models) with adjustable view settings and new materials are also used in the soft-touch areas of the interior and seats.
In terms of technology, an intelligent driver alert system now comes standard to monitor whether the person behind the wheel is sleepy or sick.
Lane Keep Assist is also a permanent feature on higher trim levels. This can identify if the car is drifting towards the white lines dividing highway lanes and can alert the driver and correct steering to ensure the car does not cross into the path of another vehicle.
In terms of technology, an Intelligent Driver Alert system now comes standard to monitor whether the person behind the wheel is sleepy or sick.
Under the bonnet, the engine range remains unchanged: this means customers can choose between a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol producing 112PS or a 1.6-litre four-cylinder mild hybrid producing 141PS.
Bosses have confirmed there will be a “humble price rise”, with the facelifted Juke around £900 more expensive than before.
On the outside, the new wheel designs are joined by some new color options, including Pearl White and Pearl Black, as well as the return of yellow paint.
Having been available for the first-generation car, Nissan had previously removed yellow from the shade choice for the 2019 model. Still, bosses say this color is expected to make up just 5 percent of all Jukes sold.
Under the bonnet, the engine range remains unchanged: this means customers can choose between a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 112PS or a 1.6-litre four-cylinder mild hybrid with a power of 141 hp.
At its launch in London this week, Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan GB, said the new improvements should ensure it “remains popular with UK customers in a fiercely competitive sector”.
However, Nissan also confirmed that a “humble price rise” is coming, with the facelifted Juke around £900 more expensive than before.
But the removal of the entry-level ‘Visia’ trim level, which has only accounted for 1 per cent of all sales since 2019, means the starting price will be £2,500 higher.
While 1.0-litre Visia models currently start from £20,985, the base Acenta Premium upgrade arrives from £23,485.
The top-of-the-range N-Sport trim starts from £28,385.
Production of the updated Juke will begin in Sunderland in March with the first deliveries arriving in the summer.
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