Nissan JUKE: carsales Car of the Year 2020 contender

Compact SUVs are seriously in vogue at the moment, and the new-generation Nissan JUKE arrived in showrooms this year to take on popular mainstream small SUVs such as the top-selling Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V, along with the new cut-price Hyundai Venue.

The new JUKE has grown in length, width and height, and offers more rear seat space and cargo room. Despite the more generous dimensions, it’s also 23kg lighter, now weighing in at 1212kg.

The edgy styling continues, with the new model retaining its bulbous headlights and sweeping curves but now receiving LED daytime running lights and the latest version of Nissan’s V-motion grille.

Meanwhile, the independent front and twist-beam rear suspension has been recalibrated for enhanced stability and sportier performance, Nissan claims.

Easy and fun to drive, the 2020 Nissan JUKE retains the first generation’s playful character and peppy performance but combines that with increased levels of comfort and refinement.

For that reason, it covers a broad cross-section of the buying audience.

Look beyond its exterior and you’ll find a compact SUV set up to manage the needs of city dwellers and small families, while also delivering an approachable on-road skillset and higher ride height geared to older motorists.

Passenger space and comfort improvements being what they are, the real winner is anyone packing for the weekend away. The Nissan JUKE’s boot has grown by 68 litres to a very respectable 422 litres, extending to a sizeable 1305 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

The all-new Nissan JUKE renews its attack on the likes of the Mazda CX-3 (from $22,710), Mitsubishi ASX ($23,990) and Hyundai Kona ($24,300) with a fresh new look, more efficient engines, more interior space and upgraded technology and luxury.

But the Nissan JUKE is now priced significantly higher than most of its rivals and there are no all-wheel drive models – it’s exclusively front-drive now.

All four Nissan JUKE model grades – ST, ST+, ST-L and Ti – are powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine (84kW/180Nm) hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Previously priced from $23,490, the Nissan JUKE has gone up in price by $4500 with the new generation but has shifted upmarket with higher equipment levels and an efficient petrol engine, more in line with the positioning of the Toyota C-HR (from $30,915).

All four Nissan JUKE model grades are fitted with a large 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights and tail-lights, airbags that cover the front and rear seats, autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane departure warning and traffic sign detection systems.

There’s even a brake-based intelligent lane intervention system, rear parking sensors and camera, blind spot warning, driver alert and rear cross traffic alert systems.

Off the back of her launch drive of the 2020 Nissan JUKE, carsales consumer editor Nadine Armstrong said the redesigned model now blends more seamlessly with other small SUVs.

“Bigger, better and less bruising on the eye, the tech-savvy JUKE is a major step forward in every area. Whether that makes it more popular among a sea of new rivals, only time will tell,” she said.

Senior journalist Bruce Newton broke it down in simpler terms, saying the second-generation Nissan JUKE feels like an opportunity lost.

“It’s difficult to get excited about the Nissan JUKE Ti. There’s so much new here, yet it doesn’t add up to as much as expected,” he said.

“Take that into account along with the polarising styling and the high price and it’s a struggle to recommend the Ti ahead of a whole swag of impressive compact SUVs.

“Put simply, the second-generation Nissan JUKE feels like an opportunity lost.”

Be that as it may, the JUKE will still be vying for top prize at the carsales Car of the Year for 2020, proudly presented by Bingle.

Nissan JUKE ST-L at a glance:
Price: From $33,940
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 84kW/180Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 123g/km (ADR Combined)