Review Nissan Juke n-tec 1.6 DIG-T 190k – Sharp clown

One would think that it is a small stylish car for the city . More for the lady to the hairdresser than for the guy on winding roads. But the problem is that this black monster is pretty deceiving with its body. At first glance, he looks innocent, the fairer sex would definitely call him cute, but under the stylish jacket, he is as sharp as a frosty workday morning . So how was the week with the Nissan Juke?

Design – Extrovert

In one word, brilliant ! This is a classic Japanese style full of details, curves and curves. It doesn't matter if you like it or not. The important thing is that it attracts attention , people want to look at it, evaluate it and talk about it. It has personality and character. So if you want to impress at first glance, this is the right choice . It is for these reasons that I really like it, as it is not as cold as the cars of the German concern. The Japanese put up with details, which is evidenced by the hidden rear door handle, elongated rear lights reminiscent of the sporty sibling of the Nissan 370Z , and the entire front part of the car is truly futuristic . The Juke we tested was in the N-tec version , which also offers interesting 18″ wheels with an unusual design.

Interior – Everything at hand

Japanese small cars have one big advantage, because they are also imaginatively designed in the interior , and they don't skimp on comfort electronics either. Everything is within reach, clearly legible, no complexity. Let's start with the ergonomics of the driver's seat. The steering wheel fits perfectly in the hand , its buttons are pleasant to manipulate and it does not even obstruct the view of the alarm clocks. These are very easy to read and the output of the on-board computer between them clearly displays the basic information. Minimalistic and purposeful. The shift lever fits perfectly in your hand and, thanks to its higher position, it is not far from the steering wheel. A very good solution is the switchable control of the lower part of the center panel, the display of which serves both for the Drive menu and the air conditioning. Additional plus points were scored by Nissan for the multimedia device located in the upper part. Only light touches are needed to operate it and the response is immediate. I have nothing to complain about here. When exiting, the imaginatively designed door handle caught the eye. Could you find a nicer one elsewhere?

Getting into the back seats corresponds to the size of the doors, on the other hand, it is not a family car , so children are expected in the back, who will not be able to complain about the space. Even an adult person did not feel uncomfortable here. The luggage compartment is often found to be small , but the " city car " is probably not bought by a person for whom the size of the luggage is a priority. Its size is sufficient .

Engine and chassis – Just fun!

All in all, the Juke has a very playful look, and those big 18-inch wheels and wide tailpipe suggest it could be quite fast. But it's not, it's absolutely stunning . You don't just have the gas pedal under your right foot, it's the gateway to the world of endless fun , to the world of acceleration that has perhaps given up on air resistance. All this thanks to the four-cylinder DIG-T gasoline engine with a volume of 1.6 liters with a turbocharger with an output of 190 hp and a torque of 240 Nm, which is available from 2000 rpm. Its maximum speed ends at a value of 215 km/haz 0 to 100 is reached in 8 seconds . The full power of the engine is helped by a six-speed manual transmission with short shifting distances and relatively short gear changes. The sixth stage could have been a little " longer ". Paying extra for this version is really worth it, because the driving experience is spectacular and it doesn't matter who is in front of you, with the Juke overtaking is a matter of time , on the other hand, such performance requires responsibility and experience behind the wheel.

We slowly get to the chassis , where Nissan again deceives with its body. At first glance, it is quite tall, but you won't notice it at all when driving. It sticks to the road as if nailed to it, and the lean in corners is less than you would expect. The chassis is stiff, but nevertheless willingly absorbs potholes and unevenness of the road. We also tried it on a slightly muddy forest road, where it swayed pleasantly and did not jump . So it's stiff enough for sporty driving, yet you can take it on a dirt road without worrying about damaging the chassis. How practical .

Conclusion – Clear choice

The week with the Nissan Juke was short, but everything is beautiful like that. It stood up to us with flying colours, thanks to the engine, gearbox, chassis and design. The tested model's price tag of CZK 535,000 (CZK 507,000 without surcharges) may seem like enough, but if you consider what the Juke has to offer in return , you'd be hard-pressed to find a comparable competitor. Consumption is around 8 l/100 km , but 190 horses have to " drink " something. However, it can be driven for 6.8 l/100 km if you are not in a hurry. The Nissan Juke left a really good impression on me, and I can say with a clear conscience that for your money you get a large portion of fun in the city and in the countryside , wrapped in a stylish jacket. We must also not forget to thank Nissan for their friendly dealings and pleasant cooperation.

Basic price of the tested car: CZK 455,000

Price of the tested car: CZK 535,000